JOIN LYC
Everything you need to know is right here!
If you already know all about joining LYC and are ready to get started, check here for the next available auditions and sign-up links. If you’re new to this page, please read on.
Audition for LYC
- Our choirs are: LYC North East, LYC South East, LYC South West, LYC West, LYC Junior Boys, LYC Junior Girls, LYC Cambiata Boys, LYC Cambiata Girls, London Youth Choir and LYC Chamber Choir
- School Year 3 - Age 22
- Next auditions: January 2024
- Venue: Online for central choirs (LYC Junior Boys, LYC Junior Girls, LYC Cambiata Boys, LYC Cambiata Girls, London Youth Choir and LYC Chamber Choir) and in person for regional choirs
- Audition cost: free
Join our mailing list to recieve audition updates
Why should I join LYC?
If you love singing and making music with others, and enjoy challenging yourself in a supportive environment, then joining LYC might just be what you need in your life!
We have 10 choirs for different age groups, voices and abilities, and are open to children and young people from school year 3 up to 22 years old who live in or are educated in London.
Watch the video to hear directly from our members about what LYC means to them.
Which LYC choir is for me?
Check the diagram to see which choirs we have for your age group.
You can audition to join any LYC choir for which you are the right age.
Click / tap on the diagram to zoom in
What are rehearsals like?
Rehearsals take place every week and are fun and varied. You’ll learn all different types of songs, have fun doing warm-ups and activities, and sometimes you’ll see members of the other LYC choirs!
We’ve made this video to give you an idea of what happens at weekly rehearsals for all our different choirs. Have a watch to see a snapshot of our choirs in action with their LYC staff teams at each of our rehearsal venues!
What else should I know about joining LYC?
Anyone living in or educated in London from school year 3 up to age 22 can join London Youth Choirs.
You don’t need to have any previous experience of singing in choirs or groups. If you do sing already, it doesn’t matter what style you like to sing: there’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ singer for a choir and we sing all sorts of music.
To join LYC you first need to audition. That might sound scary but we make a big effort to ensure that the experience is friendly and supportive. We won’t try to catch you out, we want to see and hear you at your best.
Information about when our next auditions are can be found at the top or bottom of this page.
You will also get to take part in social activities and make new friends, and best friends (trust us!)
Other LYC membership benefits include your LYC t-shirt, all your music and access to our secure online members zone, MyLYC.
From 2021, all auditions for LYC are FREE!
FINANCE SHOULD NOT BE A BARRIER TO PARTICIPATION IN LYC.
Standard Membership fees are £350 for the whole year, and go towards covering the cost of running the choirs. As a charity, LYC subsidises membership fees by around 75% of the true cost of membership through grants and fundraising. This year, we offer LYC members the option to pay more than the standard membership fee to cover some of that subsidy if they wish – this will be integrated into the start of term induction process.
If your audition is successful and you are offered a place but require financial assistance to accept, LYC can offer financial assistance to cover all costs of membership. You can find out more and apply via our secure online members zone, MyLYC, which we’ll give you access to.
There is so much to get out of being a member of LYC: vocal and musical skills and training, experience of concerts, recordings, music videos and amazing venues as well as life long friendships. Here is what some of our members have said about their experiences:
“It means a lot to me to join LYC and to be singing for thousands of people every year. I have fun every week at the rehearsals. I like seeing everyone and I love rehearsing for concerts, and to meet new faces and chat.” – Omofolarin
“Singing in LYC has been a pivotal experience in my development as a musician. As a young singer, LYC equipped me with the musicianship skills, versatility and confidence to go after my dream of becoming a professional singer. The friendships and connections I made with colleagues and mentors have been essential to my growth and I will always cherish the memories of our rehearsals and performances.” – Isabelle, former member
“For much of my time in LYC, I have been something of a prodigal son… But if I’ve been a prodigal son, then LYC has always been home.” – Oshotse
“LYC has given me back confidence I never knew I needed. It has introduced me to the best people I have ever met and taught me that its okay to be a choral music nerd. I look forward to every rehearsal all week and feel such a sense of belonging like I’ve never felt before. Everyone is so warm and welcoming and you feel like you can talk to everyone. The staff is incredible and are the best people.” – Lottie, former member
How do auditions work?
LYC auditions are relaxed, informal and fun! We just want to get to know you and your voice, and find out what singing and music mean to you.
Our Membership & EDI Manager, Freddie, has made a video explaining the auditions process – give it a watch!
What actually happens in your audition varies depending on your age; take a look at the Audition Guides to find out more.
Audition guide: Primary school (School Years 3-6)
Audition guide: School Year 7 up to age 22
After you have sung your song we will have a little chat about what it means and why you have chosen it. We might ask you what singing you do, and what your musical aspirations are. We may also include some musical skills challenges, but don’t panic as these will be appropriate to your level of experience. Your audition should take up to 10 minutes.
How can I sign up for an audition?
Simple – check below for the next auditions and sign-up links. If no audition dates are given, you can still sign up to register your interest and we will contact you as soon as audition dates become avaialable.
Audition for LYC
- Our choirs are: LYC North East, LYC South East, LYC South West, LYC West, LYC Junior Boys, LYC Junior Girls, LYC Cambiata Boys, LYC Cambiata Girls, London Youth Choir and LYC Chamber Choir
- School Year 3 - Age 22
- Next auditions: January 2024
- Venue: Online for central choirs (LYC Junior Boys, LYC Junior Girls, LYC Cambiata Boys, LYC Cambiata Girls, London Youth Choir and LYC Chamber Choir) and in person for regional choirs
- Audition cost: free
Join our mailing list to recieve audition updates
LYC in action
Here’s some videos of LYC choirs in action – they give a good idea of the kind of music we sing and the ways in which we perform.
You can find more on our YouTube channel, where we also upload new videos regularly.
Frequently asked questions
What if I fall between age groups for choirs?
What if I'm a boy whose voice is changing?
What if I'm between schools this summer?
If I get in will I have to audition again to keep my place?
Where are the auditions?
You can find information about where auditions are held under AUDITION DATES AND SIGN-UP LINKS on this page.
For the time being, we are continuing to hold a mixture of online auditions (run via Zoom) and in-person auditions at our choirs’ regular rehearsal venues. Please check AUDITIONS DATES AND SIGN-UP LINKS on this page to see whether the next auditions for your choir will be online or in-person.
Regular in-person audition venues
For LYC Central Choirs: City of London School for Boys, Queen Victoria Street, EC4V 3AL. (Nearest TFL: Mansion House, Blackfriars, St Paul’s and Bank)
For LYC North East: Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham, N15 4RX (Nearest TFL: Seven Sisters, Tottenham Hale)
For LYC South East: City Hope Church Hall, Bermondsey, SE16 2JY (Nearest TFL: Bermondsey, Surrey Quays)
For LYC South West: Streatham & Clapham High School, Streatham (Nearest TFL: Streatham, Balham)
For LYC West: St Barnabas Church Hall, Ealing, W5 1QG (Nearest TFL: Hanger Lane, Ealing Broadway)
I live just outside London, can I still audition?
I'm worried about travelling to rehearsals and my family would find it tricky to commit, what should i do?
Get in touch
If you’ve got questions about joining LYC and can’t find answers on this page then please send us an email (Monday 12.30-9pm, Tuesday-Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm) and we’ll be happy to help.
