The Blackbird Leys Choir, founded in 2006, has made an extraordinary journey from a group of aspiring singers on the Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys estates in Oxford, to an acclaimed choir of national repute whose performances have included a private audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. It is a mixed-voice choir of about 15 enthusiastic amateur singers. The nature of the choir's formation means that most of its members are not from a musical background. Nevertheless, they still produce excellent results.

Non-auditioned

Cumnor Choral Society started in 1958 and has been performing two concerts each year ever since. We welcome new singers, and there is no voice test; you just need a love of singing and a commitment to turning up for rehearsals. Ability to sight read is not essential but it certainly helps. We are a very sociable choir and new members can be sure of a warm welcome.

Non-auditioned

We are a small, friendly choir of singers of all standards. We meet weekly to rehearse works as diverse as Vivaldi's Magnificat, the Argentinian folk drama Navidad Nuestra, Poulenc's Gloria and Mendelssohn's Paulus. We usually perform three concerts a year, often with East Oxford Community Orchestra and with professional soloists.

Non-auditioned

Headington Singers was founded in 1985 by six enthusiasts, some of them still active with us, to create a local group for choral singers in Headington and East Oxford. Since then we have gone from strength to strength and our membership now numbers around 70 - 90 people, some of them travelling from outside Oxford.

Non-auditioned

We are a friendly, fun group of singers, that get together on a Monday evening and on Wednesday Lunchtime at St. Barnabas Church, Jericho, Oxford. We love to sing songs from whole range of music from jazz to pop, folk to classical, R & B to hip hop as well as songs about the canal and life on and around it. Our choir is passionate about the canal and our concerts raise money for the Jericho Boatyard and Wharf project - more information at www.jerichowharf.com. No previous singing experience is required, equally if you are an experienced singer or reader you will also find something that stretches you too. Singing in different styles helps you learn different techniques and approaches, which really improves your singing overall!

Non-auditioned

The Kennington & District United Church Choirs in Oxford came into being in December 1973, when singers from the three Kennington churches, Anglican, Roman Catholic and Methodist, came together for a united Carol Service. From this fairly small beginning, the numbers began to grow, drawing singers from Abingdon, Radley, Oxford and beyond. The Choirs began to meet on a regular basis, and started to perform oratorios in the spring, lighter non-religious works in the summer, and an annual performance of Messiah in the autumn. Our aim is to produce music of the highest quality in which everyone can join, and to have fun in doing so. The Choirs are always searching for new ways to grow and develop. They are always looking for new singers.

Non-auditioned

"Man Choir offers something substantially different for those who love singing that’s harmonic, heartfelt and of real quality. Created from a diverse group of Oxfordshire men in 2013, Man Choir sings a wide range of classic pop, folk and even polyphonic Georgian material unaccompanied but with a vulnerability and openness that shares their enjoyment of singing with the audience. At its core, Man Choir is a celebration of what ordinary guys in the community can achieve when they do something they love together. The material and the men who sing it will entertain you, make you smile, challenge you musically and move you in surprising ways."

Non-auditioned

NNEW COLLEGE SCHOOL CHORAL SOCIETY is a voluntary amateur chorus of around 70 adults, which performs the core choral repertoire alongside the NCS Chamber Choir (25-30 boys from the school). Together, the NCS Chamber Choir and Choral Society give two or three concerts each academic year, always alongside professional soloists and orchestras. Concerts usually take place in New College chapel, but other venues include the Sheldonian Theatre, and Merton and Keble college chapels. The choir is proud of its ongoing partnership with Oxford's baroque orchestra, the Instruments of Time & Truth (IT&T), with whom they have performed Purcell's operas Dido and Aeneas, King Arthur, and The Fairy Queen, and a variety of other works including Haydn's Missa Sancti Nicolai, Vivaldi's Gloria, several of Bach's cantatas, a reconstruction of Bach's St. Mark Passion, and the St. Luke Passion formerly attributed to Bach. The choirs have also performed a range of works with modern instruments, including Britten's Saint Nicolas and Ceremony of Carols, Vaughan Williams's Fantasia on Christmas Carols, Saint-Saëns's Oratorio de Noël, Fauré’s Requiem, and Respighi's Lauda per la Natività del Signore. In December 2022 the choir gave the UK premiere of Margaret Bonds's Ballad of the Brown King. New members are always needed and will be made very welcome. We rehearse every Monday evening during the school term, 7:30-9pm in the new auditorium at New College School. Membership of the choir is by mutual consent; there is no formal audition. There is a voluntary termly subscription of £60, and occasional costs to purchase music and folders. If you are interested in joining the choir, please contact the Director of Music, Thomas Neal: thomas.neal@newcollegeschool.org

Non-auditioned

The Oxford City Singers are a community choir based in the centre of Oxford. We always like to welcome new members so if you are thinking about joining a choir then why not come along and give us a try? In addition to rehearsing regularly we also give several performances a year – one during the Summer and one at Christmas. We are quite a large choir so there is no pressure to perform in any of these events – they are entirely optional. So whether you sing regularly and would like to try something different or you’ve never sung before and want to try something new then we’d love to meet you. You can join us by simply coming along to one of our weekly rehearsals (see below) and signing up.

Non-auditioned

Oxford Community Choir has been in existence for over 20 years. We sometimes sing in the community, for example the Festival of Light and Christmas Market in Oxford, and members get invited to choir festivals throughout the year for those who wish to try something different.

Non-auditioned

Oxford Gospel Choir, is a community choir where everyone is welcome to join us in singing a repertoire of uplifting, inspirational and life-affirming Gospel and popular music.We're a friendly and social group of Oxfordshire-based singers of all beliefs, ages and abilities, who embrace the community and fun spirit of getting together each week to sing. We follow the traditional Gospel teaching methods of listening and copying, so no music scores are used in rehearsals. This means our songs are embedded in our memories and we are free to dance and groove about, communicating our joy in music.

Non-auditioned

Oxford Harmony is a male a cappellachorus singing in four part harmony generally in the Barbershop style. Our members enjoy singing not only for their own pleasure but especially for sing outs where we show our enthusiasm and fun that we have for singing in four part harmony. We also enter a number of competitions to help us improve.

Non-auditioned

We organise charity fundraising COME AND SING concerts. These involve an optional workshop in November followed by an intensive rehearsal on the day of our performance the following February. In this way, our artistic director, acclaimed choral conductor, Robert Dean, transforms our chorus of enthusiastic members into an accomplished choir.
The resulting public concert is always thrilling, a joyous experience for all, audience, soloists, chorus and orchestral musicians alike. We founded Oxford Orpheus in 2012 building on the success of the previous six years working with a local charity. We now have an enthusiastic following among many choral singers, throughout Oxfordshire and beyond – even as far away as Beijing and Adelaide! These events, which have also supported a variety of well-deserving charities, are now an eagerly awaited fixture in Oxford’s musical diary.

Non-auditioned

The Oxford Tuneless Choir has been running very successfully since November 2016 (with a covid break, of course), with singers from many different backgrounds and of all ages (currently 14 - 87) coming for various reasons to enjoy the release of endorphins as they sing popular songs however they like. We have even been known to sing a classical song or two! The atmosphere is almost party-like and the camaraderie palpable: friendships are made and easily grow. There is no audition, no commitment, no rehearsal, no public performance, no pressure, and no judgement just confidence-boosting fun under the direction of a wacky expert, Angela Knapp.

Non-auditioned

The Choir was formed in 1985 and is open to OUP and University staff, and their families and friends. We usually give two public concerts a year in Oxford, as well as informal events in the Press for staff and their families, such as Christmas carols in the Fairway. Recent concerts include Fauré's Requiem, Schubert's Mass in G, and other very varied concerts with interesting themes.

Non-auditioned

It is a little surprising to find Welsh Culture alive and well amongst the dreaming spires of Oxford. Many Welshmen came to Oxford in the dark days of the 1920's depression looking for work. They were attracted by the offer of jobs in the rapidly expanding car factory. The choir is their legacy as well as being a fun way for a group of blokes to meet, sing, help charity and have a real sense of achievement and fun.

Non-auditioned

Step into the rich harmonies of Georgia, where three interwoven voices create music that is earthy, powerful, and deeply moving. Perebi is a mixed-voice choir in Oxford, open to singers of all genders and experience levels who want to explore this ancient and joyful tradition. What to expect:Learn folk, sacred, and city songs from across Georgia’s regions. Experience the magic of close harmonies and the unique dissonances of Georgian polyphony.
Be guided by Natural Voice leader Holly Taylor-Zuntz. Access learning tracks in separate voices so you can practice at home. Sing alongside a welcoming, all-gender community.
Find your voice with somatic vocal technique and embodiment practices. Discover the cultural stories and meanings behind the songs.
Perform and take part in cultural events such as a shared 'supra' (ritual feast) with friends and family

Non-auditioned

Rising Voices is a friendly community choir, the only Oxford choir specialising in folk music. We sing traditional and modern folk songs unaccompanied, usually in four-part harmony. Songs are taught by ear, so there is no need to be able to read music; our songs are arranged to create beautiful harmonies and include parts suitable for singers of all abilities. While we take our singing seriously and strive for high standards, it is very important to us that everyone is included and having fun.

Non-auditioned

The Oxford Sea Green Singers are a campaigning choir singing songs about peace, freedom, justice, and the environment.  We started over 20 years ago, following a WEA evening class called 'Songs that change the world'.  We meet on Monday evenings at 7.30pm in Friends Meeting House, 42 St Giles.  No auditions, everyone welcome who feels passionate about a just cause and wants to sing about it.  If you would like to join us, please email seagreensingers@outlook.com

Non-auditioned

The Soundabout Choirs are musical communities without barriers for people all ages and all abilities, with a focus on giving a voice to people with severe and profound learning disabilities.

Non-auditioned

St Edward’s Singers is a non-auditioned community choral society made up of parents, staff, neighbours and friends, which rehearses at St Edward’s School in Summertown. Membership is open to all, even if you don’t already have a connection with the School. The choir is celebrating its 20th year in 2023, having been founded in 2003 by Neville Creed. The choir meets on Friday evenings for two seasons per year, running from October to January and April to July, with a major concert at the end of each season accompanied by a professional orchestra and soloists and joined with the School choirs. Please contact Alex Tester testera@stedwardsoxford.org to register. The fee is £20 per season, including music hire.

Non-auditioned

Summertown Choral Society is a well-established, non-auditioned, mixed-voice choir based in Summertown, Oxford with around 130 members drawn from the city and surrounding areas. The choir traditionally holds two concerts each season, in January/February and May/June, and aims for a high musical standard.

Non-auditioned

For everyone! We’re open to absolutely everyone, with NO auditions, NO need to read music, and NO prior experience necessary. We meet on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm in central Oxford. Come and try it out!

Non-auditioned

The choir is open to all regardless of previous singing experience with a strong emphasis on fun and community. All music is taught by ear so no formal music training is required and we will be singing a range of music from classical and modern gospel traditions.

Non-auditioned

Wheatley Singers would love to welcome new members. We are a non-auditioning choir of a wide range of singers who enjoy the camaraderie and pleasure of singing together every week. Our weekly rehearsals are always in preparation for one of our twice-yearly concerts which gives us something to work towards. Our Director of Music is Kate Billimore who leads us with enthusiasm, wit and knowledge and brings out the best in all of us. Rehearsals are relaxed and informal but effective. If you can read music that is great but it is not essential – enthusiasm and commitment are far more necessary attributes. For more information please contact our secretary, Matthew Maier, on 07885 059633 or by emailing matthew.maier@mmaier.co.uk

Non-auditioned