Finsbury Park Singers is currently oversubscribed and we have a waiting list for new members – to be added to it, please email assistant@hannahbrine.co.uk.
In the meantime, if you’d like to consider Victoria Park Singers, there are spaces available. The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings in Hackney, and is also conducted by Charles Béquignon-MacDougall, so is a very similar vibe to Finsbury Park Singers. More details here – https://www.victoriaparksingers.co.uk
Alternatively for sopranos and altos, we have spaces in Finsbury A Cappella, which is an upper voices auditioned choir that rehearses in the same venue as Finsbury Park Singers, also on Tuesdays but from 6.15pm to 7.15pm. The audition is via a video upload – find out more at https://finsburyacappella.co.uk.
We also have a new choir in Walthamstow, which launched in October 2024. Walthamstow Singers meets on Tuesday evenings from 7pm to 8.30pm at Greenleaf Road Baptist Church, and is conducted by Tristan Weymes. You can book a taster session or sign up at https://walthamstowsingers.co.uk/book/
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where do you rehearse?
We rehearse at St Johns Highbury Vale school, Conewood Street, Islington N5 1DL on Tuesdays during term time from 7.30pm to 9pm.
The term dates are:
Spring term 2025
January 14, 21, 28
February 4, 11, 25 (no rehearsal on 18 February)
March 4, 11, 18, 25
End-of-term concert on Saturday 29th March at 4pm – St Michael’s Highgate
Summer term 2025 – featuring Joanna Forbes L’Estrange A Season to Sing
April 29
May 6, 13, 20 (no rehearsal on 27 May)
June 3, 10, 17, 24, plus a workshop with Joanna Forbes L’Estrange on Saturday 7 June from 10am to 1pm at Holy Sepulchre, Holborn Viaduct, EC1A 2DQ
July 1
End-of-term concert Sunday 6th July at 5pm – All Hallow’s, Gospel Oak, rehearsal/setting up from 12.30pm
Autumn term 2025 – draft dates, these may change
September 23, 30
October 7, 14 (choir social), 21 (no rehearsal on 28 October)
November 4, 11, 18, 25
December 2, 9
End-of-term concert on Saturday 13th December at 6pm, St Mary’s Upper Street (setting up / rehearsing from 3pm)
How do I get to St John’s Highbury Vale School?
Arsenal is the nearest tube and we are also walking distance from Highbury & Islington and Finsbury Park. Buses 4, 19, 236 and N19 stop nearby.
How much does it cost to take part?
The cost per term is £120 (usually 10 weeks or rehearsals / 15 hours). Fees help to pay for the cost of music scores, venue hire, concerts, pianist when required, mp3s etc.
Membership is paid at the start of each term. Payment cannot be made weekly as valuable rehearsal time will be taken up taking payments and giving change. It also encourages higher attendance, effective rehearsals and better ensemble.
Finsbury Park Singers has been fully booked for the last few terms, so we are not able to offer taster places at present.
Please note – there are no refunds on membership fees. Please ensure you can commit to the majority of the weekly rehearsals before signing up.
Occasionally you may be asked to pay a deposit for certain pieces of sheet music, which is returned at the end of term.
We have a bursary scheme for people on a low income who are unable to afford choir fees. Finsbury Park Singers Choir Bursary is for adults aged 18+ who would like to attend the choir but due to their financial situation are currently unable to do so. We are particularly interested in giving the bursary to people who think that singing would have a positive impact on their physical or mental health. To apply, please complete the online bursary application form.
What songs will we be singing?
I aim to offer a really rich variety of music, from folk songs to classical, to pop, to jazz and everything else. As a conductor I am reactive to the size, abilities and tastes of the group — each choir should have its own personality which is a combination of yours and mine.
Is there any practice I need to do outside of rehearsals?
We usually perform without music, meaning you will need to put in a little bit of time (an hour a week, spread over 7 days, is less than 10mins a day) to memorise words etc. There is usually a little bit of homework to revise a couple of songs to ensure we are making progress at each rehearsal. MP3s are supplied to help with learning.
Do you have any other singing opportunities?
If you are unable to commit to a weekly choir, we offer various workshops for singers throughout the year, including an annual singing retreat. Hannah also teaches 1-2-1 singing lessons. Please contact Hannah to join the mailing list or for more details.
I’ve never sung before – can I still join?
Everyone aged 18+ is welcome. There are no auditions and you don’t need to have any previous singing experience. You’ll find that you pick things up as you go along and develop skills naturally. If you’re not used to singing regularly you’ll see an improvement in your voice after your first month or so. We always spend 15 minutes at the start having a good vocal warm up which may also include things like a bit of sight-reading practice, some rhythm games, vocal techniques and ear training. If you are an experienced singer – great – I’ll be sure to throw some more challenging things your way and be really encouraging you to sing with good technique!
Do I need to bring anything to rehearsals?
Your music (given to you at the start of term), a pencil, an eraser – and, if you’d like, a bottle of water. Dogs and babies should be left at home!