LYC WEST
LYC West is a choir for children in school years 3 – 6, based in Ealing and run in partnership with Ealing Music Service. It’s the second LYC regional choir, created as part of our 10th anniversary plan to bring brilliant musical education closer to home for more young people across London.
LYC West is for children in school years 3-6 who live in Ealing and surrounding areas of West London.
You don’t need to have any previous experience of singing, or of singing in choirs or groups. And if you do sing already, it doesn’t matter what style you sing in, or what music you like to sing: there’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ singer for a choir, and we sing all sorts of music!
To join LYC West 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 make bad comments or try to catch you out, we want to see and hear you at your best! We also think it’s important to hear you as part of a group, rather than on your own, so your audition will take the form of a workshop with others.
To find out all about auditioning, visit the Join LYC page.
As a member of LYC West you will meet every Thursday during term-time for rehearsal.
Rehearsals are always from 4.30-5.30pm. At rehearsals you’ll learn and practice songs and skills, developing abilities and confidence as you go. We frequently invite guest leaders to introduce special music and activities.
You will also get to take part in social activities and make new friends, and new best friends (trust us!)
Other LYC West membership benefits include your LYC t-shirt, all your music for the term, and access to our secure online members zone, MyLYC.
Finance should not be a barrier to participation in LYC.
We offer financial assistance to help with membership fees. You can find out more and apply via our secure online members zone, MyLYC, which we’ll give you access to.
The annual membership fee for all LYC choirs is £300. This can be paid as a single sum or by monthly direct debit (eight payments of £37.50). All the information about how to pay is in our secure online members zone, MyLYC.
There is so much to get out of being a member of LYC West: vocal and musical skills and training, experience of concerts, recordings and music videos, social activities and amazing friendships – but don’t take it from us! Watch this video to hear from LYC members.
ASK AWAY!
If you’ve got any questions about LYC West, we’ve almost certainly got the answers! Drop us an email (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5.30pm) and we’ll be happy to help.
OLIVIA SHOTTON
Conductor (LYC West)
(she/her)
Olivia graduated with distinction from the Choral Conducting MA at the Royal Academy of Music (2021), and was a 2021-22 Fellow. She is the conductor of the University of London Chamber Choir and University of Greenwich Choir, Assistant Conductor of Ealing Symphony Orchestra, and she was the 2022-23 Genesis Sixteen Conducting Scholar. Olivia founded the professional early music ensemble The CONVENTional Project, performing music from the Italian convents.
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Her previous engagements include Assistant Chorus Master to Simon Halsey in preparing the Academy Chorus for a performance of Mahler Symphony 3 under Semyon Bychkov, Fellowship with The National Youth Choirs of Great Britain (2022), participating in the Dartington International Summer School Advanced Conductor programme (2022), Assistant Musical Director with the British Youth Opera production of Hansel and Gretel (2021), and semi-finalist in the DIMA International Choral Conducting Competition (2021).
Alongside her conducting, Olivia is in high demand as both a workshop leader, leading workshops on behalf of VOCES8 and The Sixteen, and as a singer, performing with several professional ensembles, including London Voices.
OUR PARTNER – EALING MUSIC SERVICE
LYC West has been launched in partnership with Ealing Music Service. Ealing Music Service is the lead organisation of Ealing Music Partnership (the Music Education Hub for The London Borough of Ealing). The Ealing Music Partnership Board plays a central role in shaping priorities and aims to make the most efficient and effective use of the various funding sources and resources for music education in and out of school. LYC are grateful to Ealing Music Service for their essential support.
OUR PARTNER – JOHN LYON’S CHARITY
LYC West is made possible through the generous support of John Lyon’s Charity.
OUR PARTNER – THE RADCLIFFE TRUST
LYC West is made possible through the generous support of The Radcliffe Trust.
