The Belfast Philharmonic Adult Choir rehearses every Wednesday from September to May starting at 7.30pm and finishing at 9.45pm in St Bride's Hall, Derryvolgie Avenue just off the Malone Road in South Belfast.
Open Rehearsals for the 2024-25 Season
Our next open rehearsal will take place on Wednesday 8th January 2025 in St. Bride's Hall and to attend, please email our Interim General Manager Clíona Donnelly - manager@belfastphilharmonic.org.uk
Auditions for the 2024-25 Season
Auditions for new members will take place on Saturday 11th January 2025 (venue TBC).
We try to make the audition process as comfortable as possible for all singers* - we welcome members who sing regularly with church or work/organisation/college choirs, as well as strong singers who are confident learning new music and performing. Sight singing is helpful but not a requirement if you are willing to put in the time to learn the music outside rehearsals.
The audition will last approx. 15 minutes and will be with our Chorus Director James Grossmith and Accompanist Gail Evans. During the audition you will be asked to:
- sing one piece of your own choosing (accompanied, classical in style and about 3 minutes max - if you would like feedback on your chosen song please contact Clíona)
- sing an extract from Mendelssohn's Elijah, chorus no. 1 'Help, Lord!' (which will be covered in the open rehearsals the PDF is available to download here)
- complete a simple sight-reading test (assistance will be given to test aptitude)
- potentially undertake a range test to assess which section of the choir you would join
1. Full membership of the choir
2. Probationary period with another audition scheduled after 6 months or a year
3. Unable to offer membership and feedback given so that you can audition again
To book an audition slot, email Clíona at manager@belfastphilharmonic.org.uk
*If you require any adjustments to be made to enable you to audition, please let Clíona know in advance and we will do all that we can to make the process accessible.
Membership Fees 2024-25
If you are successful in your audition you will be invited to become a member of the Belfast Philharmonic Society - an annual membership fee of £225 applies with £110 for full-time students and 50% of this will be applicable to new members joining in January 2025. However, we do not want anyone to be dissuaded from auditioning because of fees - if you are successful and have difficulty paying, please contact the manager confidentially by email (manager@belfastphilharmonic.org.uk).
Membership
Membership of the Adult Choir (and of the Belfast Philharmonic Society) is by audition with the Chorus Director. We aim to perform at a professional standard and all members are reauditioned every two-three years in order to make sure the whole choir is always at the performance level we need to sing at our concerts and alongside the Ulster Orchestra and other professional musicians and soloists.
Please click here for more information about joining the Phil Youth Choirs
