To join LYC you first need to audition. That might sound scary but we make a big effort to ensure that the experience is friendly and supportive. We won’t try to catch you out, we want to see and hear you at your best.

Auditions for junior choirs will be held in groups, and auditions for Cambiata choirs, LYC Chamber Choir and London Youth Choir will be individual auditions.

Visit our ‘Join LYC‘ page to find out more about what happens during an audition.

As a member of LYC you will meet once a week during term-time for rehearsal. Rehearsals are always at the same time in the same place (these vary depending on which choir you audition for). At rehearsals you’ll learn and practice songs and skills, developing abilities and confidence as you go. Sometimes, we invite guest leaders to introduce different music and activities.

You will also get to take part in social activities and make new friends.

Other LYC membership benefits include your LYC t-shirt, all your music and access to our secure online members zone, MyLYC.

All auditions are free.

FINANCE SHOULD NOT BE A BARRIER TO PARTICIPATION IN LYC.

Standard membership fees for the 2024/25 year are £430 with the option to pay more if you want. Membership fees go towards covering the cost of running the choirs. As a charity, LYC subsidises membership fees by around 60% of the true cost of membership through grants and fundraising.

LYC also has a comprehensive financial assistance scheme which offers full or partial help with membership costs, grants for travel to and from rehearsals and concerts, free concert tickets for families, and help with the cost of concert uniform. In 2023-24, we gave financial support to 30% of our membership.

There is so much to get out of being a member of LYC: vocal and musical skills and training, experience of concerts, recordings, music videos and amazing venues as well as life long friendships. Here is what some of our members have said about their experiences:

“It means a lot to me to join LYC and to be singing for thousands of people every year. I have fun every week at the rehearsals. I like seeing everyone and I love rehearsing for concerts, and to meet new faces and chat.” – current member

“Singing in LYC has been a pivotal experience in my development as a musician. As a young singer, LYC equipped me with the musicianship skills, versatility and confidence to go after my dream of becoming a professional singer. The friendships and connections I made with colleagues and mentors have been essential to my growth and I will always cherish the memories of our rehearsals and performances.” – former member

“Everyone has been very nice and welcoming. It’s the first choir I’ve been in and it’s a lot of fun. Loads of cool opportunities, and everyone is so kind and open to talk with” – current member

“LYC has given me back confidence I never knew I needed. It has introduced me to the best people I have ever met and taught me that its okay to be a choral music nerd. I look forward to every rehearsal all week and feel such a sense of belonging like I’ve never felt before. Everyone is so warm and welcoming and you feel like you can talk to everyone. The staff is incredible and are the best people.” – former member

We have two choirs for young people in school years 7-11: LYC Cambiata Boys and LYC Cambiata Girls. They both rehearse on Mondays from 6.15-7.25pm in central London.

Young people in Year 11 up to age 23 can be in London Youth Choir. They rehearse on Mondays from 7.30-8.45pm in central London.

Young people in Year 12 up to age 23 can be in LYC Chamber Choir. They rehearse on Mondays from 6.00-7.15pm in central London. Members of LYC Chamber Choir must also be members of London Youth Choir.

You can be in LYC until the end of the academic year in which you turn 23.