Join Us
Do you love to sing? We would love to hear from parents of children who want to take their singing to a new level, and adults with good sight reading ability.
“The musical education given to the choristers is excellent and the choir achieves high standards in a range of repertoire. I commend them without reservation.”
Hilary Davan Wetton – Artistic Director of the Military Wives Choirs
“I have always been shocked by the intensity of my feelings as a chorister parent. It is a bit of an addiction! I love hearing the choir sing… that moment when the treble voices rise into the vaulted ceiling and all the hairs on your neck rise up. I love watching rowdy choristers transform into serious, focused musicians, who make a glorious noise.”
Joy French, choir parent
We are an independent choir of children and adults singing in the cathedral tradition for a wide range of communities across Sheffield and beyond. We offer:
- twice-weekly rehearsals at St John’s Owlerton
- individual singing lessons and group music theory
- around ten church services or concerts a term plus choir tours
- weekly youthwork, plus social activities such as ice-skating & bowling
- Junior group for beginners before becoming a Chorister
We don’t charge any fees to sing with us, but we are a registered charity #1195909 and encourage families to become a Friend and give as generously as they can to the support the work of the choir.
Email us at: enquiries@steelcitychoristers.org.uk
Steel City Choristers is made up of boys and girls aged 6-18 as well as experienced adult singers with good sight reading skills.
We offer children a fun and rewarding musical education, training them to sing to the highest musical standards alongside experienced adults in the cathedral tradition. This includes twice-weekly rehearsals, fortnightly individual singing lessons and around 10 services, concerts or other performances each term.
While we warmly welcome those of all faiths and none, to sing with us you will need to be comfortable participating in Christian acts of worship.
Singing with us is free of charge, but we encourage those who can to support the charity financially by becoming a Friend.
Please watch this video to find out more about joining us.
If you love to sing, we’d love to hear from you!
For further information please email our Director of Music, Eleanor Jarvis, at enquiries@steelcitychoristers.org.uk
For enquiries relating to prospective choristers, please include:
- Parent/guardian’s name
- Child’s name
- Child’s age
- A telephone number
We meet for rehearsals at St John the Baptist church, Owlerton:
- children on Mondays 4.30-6.00pm and Fridays 4.30-6.30pm
- adults on Fridays 6.00-7.30pm
Choristers also receive free individual singing lessons twice a month in Ecclesall, and Music Theory classes for 4 weeks every half term after Monday rehearsals from 6.00-6.45pm.
Juniors rehearse only on Mondays. Our boys with changing voices rehearse only on Fridays.
Singing with Steel City Choristers is subject to a short audition.
No previous singing or musical experience is required for children to join the choir as a Junior. We look for a love of singing, signs of a musical ear, and the ability to hold a simple tune and follow instruction.
Our next audition day is on 2 September 2024.
At any time of the year, we are happy to hear from children who already have experience of singing in a choir or other ensemble and are looking to take their singing to a new level by becoming a Chorister.
We would love to hear from experienced adult singers who may be interested in joining us as as either regular or occasional altos, tenors or basses. You will need to have previous choral experience and good sight reading ability. You will enjoy singing some of the highest quality choral music in Sheffield, while helping to give children the amazing opportunity of learning to sing as part of a vibrant choral community.
Clerks rehearse from 6.00-7.30pm on Friday evenings and usually go to the pub afterwards in Hillsborough.
If you are interested in becoming involved but cannot commit to regular rehearsals, we would still be interested to hear from you as we do sometimes call upon extra singers and deps.
Please email enquiries@steelcitychoristers.org.uk for more information and to arrange an audition.
Our Juniors have specialist sessions on Mondays in which they learn about music and singing in a choir through simple songs and Kodaly singing games. As well as playing games and skipping they also enjoy OutoftheBox stories and listening activities that help them explore and understand the cathedral choral tradition.
When they are ready Juniors may move on to becoming Probationers. They then join the Choristers in their rehearsals on a Monday, and when they have made progress they attend rehearsals on both Mondays and Fridays. On a date agreed with their parents they then receive their surplice and certificate and become a full Chorister.
We encourage and support our boys to continue singing as their voices change. We also welcome interest from new boys with changed or changing voices who have previous experience of choral singing.
Our boys with Changing Voices rehearse on Fridays with the Choristers and the Clerks. They may also attend on a Monday for youthwork and Music Theory if they would like to. We offer Music Theory from beginners to Grade 6+.
Youth work is an important part of work with choristers, helping them to relax, enjoy themselves, and build relationships and friendships in the choir. This brings benefits for them personally as well as helping them to sing well together.
We run games and activities for the choristers as part of our Monday rehearsals in order to help the children get to know each other and build friendships. We also want to give them the chance to explore their experience of singing cathedral-style choral music, so we discuss the music, the venues and the contexts in which they are currently singing.
At least once a term, choir families come together for social events such as games in the park, bowling or a party at someone’s home.
“All of the choristers were engaged and enthusiastic, and the way in which the younger and older members of the choir interacted and complemented each other was wonderful. As I was preparing for the service and observed the choir practising I was struck by the dedication of all involved. The work that the leaders of the choir do isn’t simply in producing a beautiful sound (which they certainly do) but also in providing a formational aspect – offering a stimulating and supportive environment in which to learn and grow.“
Rev Andy Patrick, Vicar of Christ Church Dore