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Singing together for wellbeing and connection
Community Choir is a free 10-week beginners’ singing project at The Old Vic. It’s a chance to build confidence, connect with others and experience the uplifting feeling of singing together in a unique theatre setting.
Designed for adults 18+ who have faced barriers to accessing the arts, the programme welcomes up to 40 participants per term. Across 10 weekly sessions, participants will explore singing for health and wellbeing through gentle warm-ups, breathing and playful techniques. The choir will also learn a range of songs and styles, working towards an informal sharing at the end.
Sessions are led by an experienced choir leader, supported by a wellbeing facilitator and The Old Vic’s Education & Community team.
You can self-refer or be referred by a link worker, charity or community organisation. No experience or music-reading is needed, we’re just looking for curiosity and a willingness to try something new.
The programme includes:
- 10 weekly choir sessions led by a professional choir leader, supported by a wellbeing facilitator and The Old Vic Community team
- A gentle, welcoming approach to singing for wellbeing (warm-ups, vocal exploration and learning songs together)
- A focus on building confidence and group connection
- A supportive informal sharing event
- Follow-on support (including guidance on joining other London choirs)
- The option to join our OV Community Network mailing list to keep updated with ongoing events and opportunities
- Access and travel support if required.
Taster Day (attendance is required to be considered for the programme)
Location: Old Vic Backstage Clore Space
Date: Sat 18 Apr 2026
- Morning session (40 spaces available): 11am–12.30pm
- Afternoon session (40 spaces available): 2.30–4pm.
Weekly sessions
Location: Old Vic Backstage Clore Space
- Week One: Thu 28 May 2026, 4.30–6.30pm
- Week Two: Thu 04 Jun 2026, 4.30–6.30pm
- Week Three: Thu 11 Jun 2026, 4.30–6.30pm
- Week Four: Thu 18 Jun 2026, 4.30–6.30pm
- Week Five: Thu 25 Jun 2026, 4.30–6.30pm
- Week Six: Thu 02 Jul 2026, 4.30–6.30pm
- Week Seven: Thu 09 Jul 2026, 4.30–6.30pm
- Week Eight: Thu 16 Jul 2026, 4.30–6.30pm
- Week Nine: Thu 23 Jul 2026, 4.30–6.30pm
- Week Ten (final rehearsal): Thu 30 Jul 2026, 4.30–6.30pm.
Informal Sharing
Location: Old Vic Backstage Clore Space
Date: Sat 01 Aug, time TBC
This programme is for adults (18+) who:
- Are beginners or have little to no experience of singing in a choir
- Have experienced barriers to accessing arts opportunities
- Would like to build confidence and connect with others in a welcoming group.
You must also:
- Be based in London or surrounding areas and able to travel to The Old Vic
- Be available for the full programme dates.
Priority for places
If the programme is oversubscribed, we’ll prioritise people who have had fewer opportunities to take part in the arts, including (but not limited to) people from the Global Majority, working-class backgrounds, care-experienced people, carers, disabled and neurodivergent people, and LGBTQIA+ people.
All sessions take place in The Old Vic’s Backstage building, which has step-free access.
We are committed to inclusive access and will work with you to put reasonable adjustments in place before the programme begins. Course content and resources can be adapted to suit different learning styles and additional access and travel support can be provided if required.
To discuss access requirements or ask any questions, contact ovcommunity@oldvictheatre.com
Applications for Community Choir are now closed. If you would like to be notified when applications reopen, please complete a Community Choir expression of interest form
If you have any questions, please contact ovcommunity@oldvictheatre.com
Generously supported by The Linbury Trust, Tina Alexandrou and all of our Big Give supporters