Join us

Do you want to sing in a select chamber choir with friendly like-minded singers, under the direction of top-class musical director, Patrick Allies?

Our membership is about 32 experienced mixed-age singers drawn from south-west London and north Surrey, who come together on Sunday evenings to rehearse near Esher. We are particularly passionate about music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, although our distinctive and adventurous programmes often feature music from across the ages, including the current era.

We value working hard on the details and are ambitious continually to improve our singing, musicianship and performance standards, both collectively and individually. There are often opportunities for solo and smaller ensemble singing, and as a group we regularly perform with professional musicians, and partake in the occasional mini tour and cathedral sing.

Members tend to be reasonably confident sight singers (although we find this improves quickly with practice!), confident holding their line in a smaller choir.  We are a friendly and supportive group, welcoming to new singers who are keen to make Sunday evening the highlight of their week too!

For further details or to express your interest in joining us, please contact Lisa via ku.gro.riohconeipirnull@nioj or telephone 07806 528894.

Young singers

The Ripieno Choir are keen to foster aspiring young musicians:

• Our innovative Apprentice conductor scheme supports musicians who wish to be an organ scholar at university, where skills in conducting ensembles is expected. Our Associate Conductor, Mary Offer, is an alumni of our Apprentice Conductor scheme.
• We also welcome sixth form or gap year students who may be interested in short-term membership, for example in preparation for a university choral scholarship. Vacancies are limited, but please contact us to discuss if you are interested.

For further details or to express your interest in joining us, please contact Lisa via ku.gro.riohconeipirnull@nioj.

Rehearsals

Our intense but thoroughly enjoyable weekly rehearsals take place on Sunday evenings from 7.45 to 9.45 at Our Lady of Lourdes, Hampton Court Way, Thames Ditton, KT7 0LP.

We usually rehearse for 10 weeks prior to our main concert each term, with additional rehearsals to brush up on our carols or to prepare for awaydays and tours. Being a small choir, where every voice counts, members are expected to attend at least 80% of rehearsals.

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The audition process

Interested singers are invited to attend our rehearsals for a trial period to decide if we are the right fit. You will then be invited to a short audition consisting of vocal exercises, a prepared piece of your choice, and sight-reading (usually a piece from the Renaissance period). Members are expected to re-audition every three years.