Not religious?
Enjoy singing?
We are a friendly, non-auditioned London-based choir. Our emphasis is on enjoying music in a welcoming, non-religious environment. Our wide-ranging repertoire consists of secular music that’s joyful and fun to sing. We rehearse on Tuesday evenings, 7-9pm at Doreen Bazell Hall, a short walk from Kings Cross station. New members welcome!
We are part of Humanists UK.
Latest News
Choirantine – the return
We're not slowing down in 2021 - we have lots of choirantine videos planned while we're wading through the joys of lockdown #3, and here's the latest one. The Beatles' Can't Buy Me Love, but as you have never heard it before.
It's a madrigal-style a capella version of their 1964 hit, and we're quietly proud of how we've pulled it off as well as the 'unique' video to go along with it.
Virtual Remembrance events – November
November is a busy month of virtual events for the choir. Normally we perform live at remembrance events (2020 has been anything but normal!) but we're really pleased to still be able to take part.
We took part in the Humanists UK Remembrance Day Ceremony, on 7th November, with the event featuring some of the recordings and videos we have made this year in Choirantine. You can rewatch the event on the Humanists UK site.
And on 22nd November, our singing will be part of another virtual remembrance ceremony, this time being organised at West Hertfordshire Hospital NHS Trust. The event is to remember those who have died in the pandemic, as well as an affirmation of life, and an offering of thanks to those working in the NHS.
We also recorded a version of For The Fallen (also known as We Will Remember Them), originally composed in October 1971 for the annual Remembrance Day service at Westminster Abbey, for use during Humanist remembrance events.
As ever, our thoughts are with those who have lost friends and loved ones.
New Choirantine videos
Our latest Choirantine videos could not be more different from each other!
Firstly, a legit banger from the 80s - Whitney Houston's Dance with Somebody - complete with an outstanding video showcasing our dancing prowess. Prepare to be dazzled.
And for something more reflective, a tender song by English folk singer-songwriter Kate Rusby called Underneath the Stars. The video features stunning images from the NASA Image Galleries.
Goes to show, you can never be 100% sure of what the London Humanist Choir will sing next!
New Term – 8 September
Choir is BACK (in virtual form) on September 8th.
Our new year of singing is about to kick off - and we'd love to welcome some new members!
Anyone based in the London area is welcome to join us (with a view to attenting in-person rehearsals eventually), and for this term we're also extending a warm welcome to choir alumni living anywhere in the world, and new virtual members from other Humanist choirs in the UK.
We're starting virtually, but have plans afoot to get back to in-person singing in as safe form as we can make it, as soon as we can.
Back in charge once again are our crack musical combo Laurel (musical director) and Alexander (assistant musical director). They've picked some great new music for us to get to grips with this term.
Rehearsals are held on Zoom - if you would like to join us, please contact info@london.humanistchoir.org and we'd be happy to share all the info you need.
See you on Tuesday!
New Term – 8 September
Choir is BACK (in virtual form) on September 8th.
Our new year of singing is about to kick off - and we'd love to welcome some new members!
Anyone based in the London area is welcome to join us (with a view to attenting in-person rehearsals eventually), and for this term we're also extending a warm welcome to choir alumni living anywhere in the world, and new virtual members from other Humanist choirs in the UK.
We're starting virtually, but have plans afoot to get back to in-person singing in as safe form as we can make it, as soon as we can.
Back in charge once again are our crack musical combo Laurel (musical director) and Alexander (assistant musical director). They've picked some great new music for us to get to grips with this term.
Rehearsals are held on Zoom - if you would like to join us, please contact info@london.humanistchoir.org and we'd be happy to share all the info you need.
See you on Tuesday!
St Thomas’s Hospital – Postponed
For obvious reasons, our concert at St Thomas's has been postponed (it is one of the treatment centres for Coronavirus Covid-19). But we'll be rearranging this (or potentially moving this to Guys Hospital) as soon as possible. Sorry!
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We're really happy to be doing our second concert for an NHS trust (last summer we went to Stoke Mandeville Hospital). We'll be doing a couple of short sets for staff, patients and their friends and families on the afternoon of Saturday 21st March, at 14:30 and again at 16:00.
This is a free event, so if you happen to be in the area, please do pop along to hear us!
The hospital's Humanist chaplain will be joining us for the afternoon as well. Supporting the work of other Humanists is central to the choir's ethos, and we hope to do more NHS gigs in the future.
New Term – 7 Jan
Wooop - it's choir time once again!
We'll be reconvening again at Doreen Bazell Hall at 7pm on Tuesday 7th January. Our benevolent musical dictator Laurel is once again in charge, along with our very own Mozart (accompanist Alex) to keep us firmly on the right musical path.
The first rehearsal will be a recap of what we've been learning for our first performance of the decade - on Sunday 11th January. Then from Tuesday 14th January we'll be breaking out some new music! (If you're brand new to the choir, that's the best rehearal to come to.)
Songs this term will include a Pokarekare Ana (a love song written in Maori) and Joni Mitchell's classic Big Yellow Taxi. Plus, we're going to start prepping music for our One Life annual concert on 4th July, so there will no doubt be some 'choir bangers' to get our heads around. There will be many more performances between now and then to look forward to - and we're also plotting our return to the Edinburgh Fringe in August!
If you fancy giving singing a go, or want to come back to choir, please do pop along to a rehearsal - your first one is free (we ask for an £8.50 donation thereafter to cover our costs). There are no auditions, you don't need to have sung on a choir before, and there's the all-important tea/coffee/biscuit half time break and post-reheasal pub trip to look forward to.
Wishing everyone a 2020 filled with warmth, curiosity, respect and music.
Festive Singalong – 16 December
It's time to get your jolly on with LHC! Yes, our annual singalong is here once again, on Monday 16th December at the Scolt Head pub in Dalston.
We'll be belting out our (secular) versions of some festive favourites as well as some crackers we've been learning this term. And the best bit is, we'll be providing lyrics for everyone in the audience to join in as well.
Free entry, and everyone is welcome. Doors at 19:00, with the singing starting at 20:00.
Drinks and food are available to purchase from the pub. The room is fully accessible.
The Scolt Head is at 107A Culford Rd, N1 4HT. Nearest station is Dalston Junction. Here's a map to help you out.
London Pantomime Horse Race – 15 December
It's possibly our most out there event yet - but we're ridiculously excited to be part of the pre-race ceremony for the 10th annual London Pantomime Horse Race! Even better - this year the theme is Star Wars!
You'd better believe there will be some dressing up and Star Wars themed songs happening. You'll be able to find us among the Jawas and Wookies at Devonport House, King William Walk, Greenwich, from 11am. The Horse Race itself starts at 1pm.
The event is free, and raises money for Help Rosie Walk, Make a Wish UK Foundation plus Harpenden Riding for the Disabled (RDA), and The Running Charity’.
It's guaranteed silliness, with an added smattering of Storm Troopers. There's even a trailer!
For more information, go to www.pantohorserace.org
Trans Day of Remembrance – 20 Nov
We'll be joining the LGBT Humanists section to remember and mourn the deaths of trans people in the UK and around the world who have been murdered this year due to transphobic violence.
People of all beliefs or none are welcome to join the ceremony on Wednesday 20th November, as we come together to reflect on how we can do more as a community and individuals to support trans people, and to share our outrage at the violence being perpetrated against trans people.
This is the second year we have taken part in this event, and as a choir we stand shoulder to shoulder with our trans friends in solidarity.
More information on how to reserve your place can be found on the Humanists UK site.
The ceremony will be held at Fitzrovia Chapel, 2 Pearson Square, W1T 3BF from 19:00 - 21:00.