Join us
Who are we?
Canticum is non-list choir of around 35 singers which means that we all sing all of our concerts each year. This is usually a mix of professional jobs (the choir is paid for recordings and services – this money goes towards our own concerts) and our own concerts with around 7-9 engagements a year. We perform a wide range of repetoire and our choir has premiered many new pieces written for us. We love welcoming new members so do get in touch if you’re a strong singer and can sight read well.
What you need to know..
FAQ for joining Canticum
What are we looking for in new members?
Strong singers with good sight reading skills who can commit to our Tuesday evening rehearsals (7.10-9.15) and roughly six to eight concerts a year. Our members come from a range of backgrounds including those who are ex-choral scholars and current music students, and those who wished they were!
What does a non-list choir mean?
Canticum is a non-list choir, which means that everyone is expected to do every concert. We of course understand that everyone has a day job and that life has a way of getting in the way of choir sometimes so if you need to miss a rehearsal every now and then that’s ok. As such we need to wait for a member to leave the choir before we can audition for a new member. There is currently a waiting list and we would contact you when a space comes available.
Where do we rehearse?
St Saviour’s Church in Pimlico is our base. We meet every Tuesday evening from 7.15-9.15pm throughout the year with a break in August.
How can I join?
Drop our new members secretary (Susan) a line using the form below. If there’s a space, you’ll be invited to a couple of rehearsals in the coming weeks. After your second or third rehearsal you will need to do an audition with Mark, our Musical Director, which will include singing a short solo piece and a bit of sight reading.
If there is no space currently?
If our numbers are at maximum capacity, we’ll put you on our waiting list. Then when we have any spaces come available we will get you along if you’re still up for joining
How much does it cost?
To join Canticum the current subs rate is £192 a year paid by monthly installments of £16/month , which can be broken into three termly payments of £64. Subs are half price for under 25s.
I'm interested in joining Canticum
When I moved to London over 20 years ago, I spent a couple of years looking for a choir to join and found that although there are a good number of small choirs in the capital, the chances of finding a musical director like Mark Forkgen are vanishingly low. He’s both extremely talented and is so good with people that rehearsals, even though demanding, are always thoroughly enjoyable and fulfilling. Not only do we have Mark, but the make up of the choir is unique. We have a range of ages and can honestly say that we all get on so well together that concerts and rehearsals are a joy. There are no politics as you might find in other choirs, we are all equal and new members are just as likely to be asked to do a solo as old. I know a good thing when I see it and that’s why I’ve been a member for so long. I honestly would be bereft without my choir.
“…Better by far to save your pennies for a Carol recording with some real Xmas Spirit – a disc by the chamber choir Canticum and their conductor Mark Forkgen. I’m happy to give it the big thumbs up not just because of the polish and refinement of the singing, but because all its profits will go to a branch of the Samaritans.”
“And surely even Ebeneezer Scrooge himself would be touched by something in the course of these 24 generous tracks.”