Choral Evensong most weeks
Beautiful liturgy and great music — psalms, canticles, hymns and anthems in a traditional setting.
Join the Choir — Adult Choristers
We warmly welcome adult singers in all voice parts. St Giles is a friendly parish choir with a strong tradition of Choral Evensong, a supportive mixed-age community, and a real sense of purpose in worship.
Who can join?
Adults in all parts
Main rehearsal
Friday evenings
Main service
Sunday 18:30 (usually)
Try it
Come for a Friday
You don’t need cathedral-level experience. If you can hold a part, listen well, and turn up regularly, you’ll be very welcome — and you’ll improve quickly with weekly repertoire.
Why sing with us?
A friendly, mixed-age choir
Adults sing alongside a strong cohort of teenagers, with a supportive and welcoming culture.
Musical challenge (in a good way)
Regular repertoire builds confidence fast — particularly sight-reading, ensemble, and line awareness.
Evening services
Our main choral commitment is in the evening, so Sunday mornings are often free for family and other commitments.
Make a real difference
Adult voices provide stability, warmth, and leadership — particularly helpful for younger singers developing their parts.
No pressure to be “professional”
We value reliability and teamwork. If you bring enthusiasm and commitment, you’ll be an asset.
Times & commitment
Typical weekly pattern
- Friday 19:30–21:00 — full choir rehearsal.
- Most Sundays: rehearsal at 17:30 and choral service at 18:30 (usually Evensong).
- About one Sunday morning service (10am) per month — and on that day we do not sing in the evening.
We aim to publish dates in advance and to give clear expectations, especially around festivals and special services.
Festivals & special services
We sing additional services for major festivals (Christmas, Holy Week/Easter) and occasional weddings/funerals. Some services include instrumentalists. We give as much notice as possible.
New to choir singing?
If you’re returning after a break, or new to choral tradition, that’s fine — we’ll help you find your feet.
What to expect
Music
- Service music (Responses, canticles, hymns, psalms)
- Anthems across a wide range of styles
- Occasional larger-scale services with instruments
Practicalities
- Music is provided
- Robes/choir dress as appropriate (we’ll explain)
- A welcoming environment — everyone learns together
Adult choristers are volunteers and are not paid — the payments and bursaries on our youth page apply to under-18 choristers only.
How to enquire / come and try a rehearsal
The easiest first step is simply to come as a guest to a Friday rehearsal. After that we’ll suggest the best way to join your voice part and settle in.
- Email: ralph@stgilesfarnborough.org.uk
- Phone: 07713 260031
- Church postcode: BR6 7DB
What happens next?
- Pick a Friday to visit and sing informally.
- Meet your section and get music for the coming Sunday.
- Join in at your own pace — we’ll guide you.
If you’re unsure of your voice part, don’t worry — we’ll help you work it out.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to read music?
No — it helps, but it’s not essential. Many people improve rapidly with regular singing and good rehearsal habits.
Is it only for church members?
No. We welcome singers from the wider community.
What if I can’t make every week?
We understand life is busy. Regular attendance helps the choir most, but we can talk through what’s realistic for you.