Victoria Park Singers is an 85-strong community choir founded by Hannah Brine in 2013. Charles MacDougall was appointed conductor in 2023.
We are proud to have a no audition policy, yet are not afraid to tackle ambitious new choral works as well as music from the pop, gospel, folk and jazz genres.
We have performed across London, including at the Union Chapel, Southbank Centre, St John at Hackney, Rich Mix and the the Museum of Childhood.
Singers from our choir were lucky enough to perform as the opening act for the 2017 Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall with Gary Barlow and the cast of his musical The Girls, having performed the previous November at the Royal Variety Show.
In 2019 choir members performed at the the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall this summer (Prom 66: In the Name of the Earth) and on BT Sport, being ‘conducted’ by football legend Gary Lineker.
In 2020 Victoria Park Singers graced the Barbican stage, together with the LSO orchestra and a massed choir to perform Andre Thomas’ Symphonic Gospel Spirit.
Victoria Park Singers is proud to be a community-minded choir. We regularly support local charities such as the Bow Food Bank, Ingeenium and St Joseph’s Hospice, as well larger charities such as Water Aid and Amnesty International. We have raised over £25,000 for charity.
Would like to sing in our friendly community choir?
You would be more than welcome to come and join us. There are no auditions and you don’t need to have any previous experience to join in – you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can start making a brilliant sound.
Everyone aged 18+ is welcome; our youngest member is in their early 20s and our most senior is a young-at-heart late 70s, so we have a really great mix of experience and energy.
Taster sessions available
If you would like to try out the choir before you commit to the term, you can book a taster session here. You can book your place for the term here.
Like most choirs, we are always very excited to hear from lower voices who would like to join the choir. Are you a tenor or bass that is contemplating coming along? Read some thoughts from current/past Victoria Park Singers lower voices here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do you rehearse?
We meet on Wednesdays during term time from 7pm to 8.30pm, at Lauriston Primary School, 55 Rutland Rd, London E9 7JS. There is street parking after 6pm.
How do I get to Lauriston School?
Buses 277 or 425 from Mile End tube station (or a 15 minute walk) 277 from Hackney Central station, Islington and Dalston Junction. 15 minutes walk from Bethnal Green tube station. The entrance we use to the hall is the big metal gate to the left of the main entrance.
How much does it cost?
The termly cost is £125. Fees help to pay for the cost of music scores, venue hire, concerts, pianist when required, mp3s etc. Please contact us if you have any questions.
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. Please note – there are no refunds on membership fees. Please ensure you can commit to the majority of the weekly rehearsals before signing up. New members are able to book a taster session before they join.
You will be asked to pay a deposit for certain pieces of sheet music, which is returned at the end of term as long as the music is returned in the same condition that it was issued to you.
We have a bursary scheme for people on a low income who are unable to afford choir fees. Victoria 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?
We aim to offer a really rich variety of music, from folk songs to classical, to pop, to jazz and everything else.
Is there any practice I need to do outside of rehearsals?
We often 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 10 minutes 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. Audio files are supplied to help with learning.
Do you have any other singing opportunities?
If you are unable to commit to a weekly choir, Victoria Park Singers’ founder and creative director Hannah Brine offers various workshops for singers throughout the year, including an annual singing retreat. Hannah also teaches 1-to-1 singing lessons. Please contact Hannah to join the mailing list or for more details.
I’ve never sung before – help!
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 have a good vocal warm up at the start of the session, which may also include things like a bit of sight-reading practice, some rhythm games, vocal techniques and ear training.
As well as the musical score you will be provided with rehearsal mp3s, and you are expected to practice in your own time with these in between sessions. This is useful for those people who don’t read music. You are also asked to make notes during rehearsals so please bring a pencil.