Murray Hipkin was appointed Musical Director in 2003. He has considerable experience of both choral music and opera. His enthusiasm and skills as teacher and conductor have enabled the choir to flourish and develop an exciting and ambitious programme of ongoing and future performances. In 2005, NLC was proud to welcome renowned soprano Janis Kelly as its patron. Janiss recent roles include her deb
ut at the New York Metropolitan Opera as Pat Nixon in John Adams Nixon in China, a role she first played at ENO. Her performing debut with the choir was in April 2006, when she sang Britten Les Illuminations and Fauré Requiem in a concert at St Michael's, Highgate which also included Holst The Hymn of Jesus and Finzi Lo, The Full, Final Sacrifice, and featured Finchley Children's Music Group. Janis has brought her inspirational energy directly to the choir, regularly running singing sessions at our workshops. In 2007, North London Chorus celebrated its 30th Anniversary in December with an exciting programme followed by a champagne reception. Click here to read more about the choir's past concerts. NLCs recent concerts have included sell-outs at St James's, Muswell Hill NLC is also proud to have featured promising young soloists, one of whom (Sarah Jane Brandon - a pupil of our patron Janis Kelly) was that year's (2009) winner of the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Competition. During Summer 2010, the choir was invited to record short sections of the score of Shoes, a song and dance review, written and composed by Richard Thomas who also wrote Jerry Springer the opera. These recordings were played as part of the performance of Shoes at Sadlers Wells, and ran for a second season during February and March 2011. The choir has supported a number of good causes, including the North London Hospice and the Organ Restoration Fund at St Jamess Church Muswell Hill, the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture and ReStore, a company that recycles furniture for the benefit of those in need. In addition, each year the choir organises and participates in an evening of singing with the children at Martin School East Finchley. In recent years a hardy bunch of members has braved the winter cold to go carol singing in aid of the North London Hospice and Marie Curie. NLC is a friendly choir and, as well as preparing for concerts, organises a range of related activities, including an annual residential weekend, regular one day workshops, sectional rehearsals, social events and visits to concerts and the opera. In January 2011, a number of members attended a concert given by the Pink Singers following the appointment of Murray Hipkin as their new musical director. Joining NLC
At the moment, the choir has vacancies in the tenor section. However, if you're interest is in one of the other voices you are very welcome to contact us to express interest, and we will get back to you when we next have a vacancy. When there are places available, we welcome new members with a good ear and voice. Some sight-reading ability and previous choral experience are advantages, but are not essential. We are committed to ensuring that the choir provides enjoyment and relaxation for our members as well as our audiences, and we aim for high standards of performance. You are welcome to attend a few rehearsals whilst deciding whether to join us. If you do so, our Musical Director will ask you to audition, so that he can assess your voice and advise you how best to develop it. Membership is subject to availability of places in each voice part. Here are some quotes from a few recent joiners:
''I joined North London Chorus in April 2014 and I am very pleased that I did. I have been singing for the last 8 years in a mixed voice Jewish choir that I still enjoy. However, I wanted to build on my musical experience by taking on an additional challenge that would also expose me to a wider classical repertoire. I found out about the North London Chorus (NLC) through a Google search which brought me to their website. I was impressed by what I read and the rehearsal night and venue were convenient. To see and hear the choir in action I went along to their concert in March at their normal performance venue in Muswell Hill. It was clear from this and all of my research that the North London chorus was one of the finest choirs around and had the benefit of performing with a professional orchestra and soloists. I made a membership enquiry as a 1st Bass through the website. The vice-chair of the choir dealt with me very courteously explaining that there may be a vacancy and I was invited to come to a rehearsal where they would be having the first sing-through of the next terms repertoire, Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem. Walking into a first rehearsal with 80 people that I didn’t know was not actually as daunting as I thought it would be. People were warm, friendly and even invited me to the pub afterwards, an invitation that I took them up on! I sort of jumped in with two feet and the rest is history - I had an audition at the next rehearsal and got in! Not to miss out on an opportunity I signed up almost immediately to attend the imminent annual choir weekend getaway- I thought this would be the best way to get to know people quickly which proved to be the case. I have to say that this is an impressive choir to be a part of on many different levels. First and foremost, the musical standard of performance is very high, as I experienced in my first concert where we performed the Brahms Requiem- It was brilliant performing this at the Barbican. Socially, I have found that the choir has been very inclusive, taking into account all the people with widely different backgrounds and levels of musical experience. As an organisation, the choir seems to function really well by encouraging so many members with their unique skills, to take on different responsibilities for the benefit of the choir. The emphasis placed on using the members-only part of the website in staying connected and informed with rehearsal notes and other information is very useful. North London Chorus has certainly ticked all of my boxes. With its sense of vitality and energy it is a great choir to be a part of. ''
"It is just nine months since I have been involved with NLC and I feel that I have just come of age! From the very first moment, everyone made me feel very relaxed and at ease, even at my audition! I was simply bowled over at Marian’s Christmas party 2013, having just been accepted into the choir, to find that so many fellow choristers had been connected with NLC for twenty years plus. That spoke volumes at the time but I now have much more of a sense of how addictive it is. The music is often very challenging to learn, especially singing in German (as a Romance language scholar) but, with every successive rehearsal, my sight reading and timing improves, the harmonies gradually fall into place so that ultimately, the tenor part becomes quite breathtaking to sing. I was terribly nervous before the concert in March but the adrenalin rush really kicked in and I was blown away by the magic of the occasion (accompanied by an orchestra and guest soloists for the first time in my life), that it proved quite the most fabulous experience I had ever had, musically. The second concert in July, singing with Cantus Domus at such an incredible venue as Milton Court, was truly inspirational! I also believe that just coming along to sing is only part of being NLC. I feel we all have a responsibility to give as well as to receive and not simply through our singing. I have made many new friends through helping in one way or another and have found it a joy to be part of such a wonderful organisation. Thank you, Murray, for your incredible direction and thanks to everyone in the choir who has made me feel so very welcome over the past two terms. Long may we be able to enjoy and offer such pleasure to all!''
How to Join
To join our waiting list, please use the contact form at the bottom of the website and select Membership Enquiry. Please remember to tell us which part you sing, so we know when to contact you as places become available. Rehearsals
Rehearsals are held on Thursdays, from 8pm to 10pm. Additional rehearsals for the full choir are held usually on the two Wednesdays before each concert, and once a term for each section. Rehearsal Venue
Martin School, Plane Tree Walk, High Road, East Finchley, London N2 9JP. By tube: turn left out of East Finchley station (Northern Line), 10 minutes walk north up the High Road on the right hand side
By bus: 102, 143, 234. All buses stop at East Finchley tube station.
263 bus - stops at East Finchley tube station and goes past the school. Parking: either in the High Road, or in the car park at the back of the school
Map of Martin School
Membership and subscriptions
The annual subscription is £180. We can sometimes agree a reduced subscription for members on low incomes. We look forward to hearing from you.
