Excellent musical training
Regular choral repertoire builds confidence in pitch, rhythm, ensemble, and part‑singing — in a friendly, encouraging setting.
Join the Choir - Youth Choristers
We welcome boys and girls in all voice parts — from young beginners to those looking to move on to university choral scholarships. St Giles has a warm parish choir with a strong tradition of Choral Evensong and a track record of developing young musicians.
Ages
8–18
Main rehearsal
Fridays
Main service
Sunday 18:30 (usually)
Why sing?
Because you love it!
Why sing with us?
Supportive teenage mentors
We’re fortunate to have a strong 14–18 cohort who naturally mentor younger singers and help them settle quickly.
Choral Evensong tradition
We sing Choral Evensong most weeks and also sing for festivals and special services through the year.
Chorister payments
Youth choristers are paid a termly allowance. Bursaries towards singing/organ lessons are available for strong contributors.
Evening services
Because our main choral commitment is in the evening, Sunday mornings are usually free — something many families prefer.
Supporting your future
Recent choristers have gone on to Choral and Organ scholarships at cathedrals and Oxbridge colleges
Times & commitment
Typical weekly pattern
- Friday 19:30-21:00 — full choir rehearsal.
Younger choristers may start and finish earlier. - 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.
A first “taster” is usually best on a Friday. For younger probationers we can be flexible with earlier start/finish times so late bedtimes don’t put families off.
Other services
We sing additional services for major festivals (Christmas, Easter, weddings etc). Some of these have orchestral accompaniment. We give as much notice as possible and communicate expectations clearly.
Financial Support for under‑18 choristers
Under‑18 choristers receive an attendance‑based termly allowance and can also be considered for additional support.
Termly chorister allowance
Up to £80 per term (attendance‑based).
Financial support with music lessons
Typically around £250 per year (with some flexibility) towards singing, and where appropriate organ or occasionally other instrumental lessons.
Senior Chorister Leadership roles
A small number of roles for experienced teenagers, typically £100–£200 per term, recognising mentoring and leadership.
To spread support fairly, we normally award either financial support with lessons or a leadership stipend in a given term, not both.
How to enquire / try a taster
The easiest first step is to come as a guest to a Friday rehearsal. After that we’ll arrange a short, friendly, age‑appropriate assessment and a simple plan for getting started.
- Email: ralph@stgilesfarnborough.org.uk
- Phone: 07713 260031
- Church postcode: BR6 7DB
When you email, it’s helpful to include the singer’s age, voice part (if known), and any previous choir experience (optional).
What happens next?
- Reply with dates for a Friday “taster” rehearsal.
- Friendly assessment (short and age‑appropriate).
- Getting started with a simple plan and a buddy/mentor.
We can be flexible for younger probationers with earlier start/finish times.
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need to read music?
No. It helps, but it’s not required. Enthusiasm and commitment matter most — we will help them learn.
Is it only for church families?
No. We welcome singers from the wider community.
What do choristers wear?
We provide robes where appropriate — we’ll explain everything when you come for a taster.