First ever FYC Company Choirs' Competition is a hit!

A brilliant time was had on the evening of Thursday, 25th April at the first ever Farnham Youth Choir Company Choirs’ Competition, in London. The evening was a real celebration of workplace singing, with choirs from Shell, Nomura, Rothschild and Co, CMS Law, ITV Studios, BCLP Law and Schroders performing to win the praise of the judges, Anthony Harris and Charlotte Brosnan. Repertoire ranged from the classical Locus Iste by Bruckner, through musical theatre with songs from Rent and Guys and Dolls to 'One Day Like This' by Elbow. During the judging, the audience was treated to a short performance from the FYC Ensemble, who acquitted themselves wonderfully. FYC accompanist, Matthew Rickard, said, 'I always love watching the faces on audience members when the FYC Ensemble starts singing!'

FYC Ensemble

All the choirs performed brilliantly! However, it was a competition and there had to be winners. ITV Studios won the audience’s favourite song prize, BCLP Law were overall runners-up and CMS Law scooped the top prize.

FYC Chair of Trustees, Melanie Hancox, said, 'the evening was really enjoyable. There was a great atmosphere, with lots of people who clearly love choral singing, all making music together. And we are hugely grateful for the support shown to our young singers.'

(L to R) FYC Ensemble with a representative from ITV Studios and judges Charlotte Brosnan and Anthony Harris

Winners CMS Law Choir performing

FYC in spectacular voice at 40th anniversary concert

On March 9th, the award-winning Farnham Youth Choir celebrated its 40th anniversary with a concert at the beautiful Holy Trinity Church, in London’s Sloane Square. The packed concert was attended by family, friends, former conductors, patrons and alumni of the choir, as well as the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Alan Earwaker and Councillor Graham White, co-leader of Farnham Town Council. The choir received many messages of support and congratulations including notably from His Majesty, King Charles III. 

The King would have me pass on his warmest wishes to you all at Farnham Youth Choir upon your 40th anniversary, and wishes you the best of luck for the World Choir Games later this year.

All FYC choirs

This special evening included performances from all three choirs in the FYC family – Training, Junior and Senior choirs – expertly conducted by Claire Robins, Margaret O’Shea and Patrick Barrett, accompanied by pianists Matthew Rickard and Susan Norman, and organist Brian Cotterill. Additionally, the concert included an Alumni Choir, made up of members from throughout the choir’s 40-year history, and an impressive performance by the FYC ensemble – a chamber choir made up of the choir’s current oldest members.

FYC Ensemble

FYC Alumni Choir

The programme ranged from the 1500s with Croce’s Cantate Domino to works by contemporary composers Michael Higgins and Tracy Wong, an arrangement of the folk song Drunken Sailor, a medley from Mary Poppins, choral favourite The Lord Bless You And Keep You by John Rutter, and many others – there really was something to suit all musical tastes! One audience member described it as ‘An absolutely captivating array of beautiful music’. 

A particular highlight was the performance by all choirs of the spiritual I’m Goin’ Up A Yonder, which brought a tear to many eyes, choir and audience alike! The choir was delighted to welcome back Joanna Tomlinson, FYC’s Artistic Director from 2016-2021, to conduct this poignant song, which brought back so many happy memories of past performances and tours.

Former Artistic Director Joanna Tomlinson, Founder David Victor-Smith and current Artistic Director, Patrick Barrett

FYC was founded by David and Gillian Victor-Smith in 1984, as at that time there were fewer opportunities for young people, particularly girls, to sing at this high level. Under David’s leadership, followed by Jo Tomlinson and current Artistic Director Patrick Barrett, the Senior Choir has won numerous competitions, including the prestigious BBC/Sainsbury’s Youth Choir of the Year in 1992 and 1998, as well as, more recently, first prize at international choral competitions in Provence and Hull in 2023. Therefore it was a real treat to hear David conduct the Senior and Alumni choirs in a firm FYC favourite, the spine-tingling The Water of Tyne, which formed part of the choir’s winning performance in 1992. This 40th anniversary performance was beautifully accompanied by FYC alumnus Graham Ross, now Director of Music at Clare College, Cambridge. 

“What was obvious from this celebration was that Farnham Youth Choir has provided so much joy for the audience and musicians alike. Long may this continue. Here’s to at least another 40 years!”

— Gareth Treseder, composer

Members of FYC’s Training Choir

All images copyright Farnham Youth Choir. Photo credit: @fmarshallphoto

BigGive Arts for Impact

Exciting news - Big Give match funding

We are pleased to share the news that we have been awarded match funding through The Big Give’s ‘Arts For Impact’ campaign. This campaign runs from 19th March to 26th March (midday) and all donations (up to £2500) we receive via their website during this time will be doubled. All money raised will go towards FYC’s bursary fund, which enables any young person to join FYC, regardless of their financial circumstances. 

https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a056900002SETNwAAP

Our bursary fund was established during the pandemic and is currently supporting eleven singers.  It’s important that we find new sources of support to replenish this fund so that we can continue to offer this much needed financial assistance. 

Our singers will be taking part in a sponsored singing challenge involving either singing everyday or ‘extreme singing’ - singing upside down, whilst swimming, playing football etc. etc. Do check out our social media channels during the week of 19th-26th March to see what they’ve been up to

Please note that all donations have to be made via the Big Give website in order to be eligible for match funding. 

April Open Rehearsals

The next open rehearsals for FYC’s Training Choir and Junior Choir will take place on Wednesdays 17th and 24th April 2024, at 5.15pm. (The next open rehearsal for Senior Choir will be held at the end of June - date to follow.)

Training Choir (years 2-4) takes place at Farnham Maltings; Junior Choir (years 5-8) is held at The Spire Church.

For more information and to register, click here. We look forward to seeing you!

FYC on the BBC!

Did you see the coverage of FYC on BBC News on 2nd January?

For the full article, go to www.bbc.co.uk/news or visit our GoFundMe page to help Senior Choir get to New Zealand in July!

Help FYC's Senior Choir represent the UK at the World Choir Games

In this, FYC’s 40th anniversary year, we have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent the UK at the World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand. There, in July 2024, choirs from around the world will come together in a spirit of friendship and collaboration to inspire and learn from one another. It’s the Olympics of choral singing, and inspires this, the next generation of British choral singers to achieve at the very highest level. FYC is one of only four choirs from the UK to have won gold medals at the World Choir Games in the past, and we have high hopes of success again next year.

But we can’t do it alone.

As a charity we believe that no child’s musical potential should be limited by their ability to pay. And so we ask you to help our choir to perform at the highest level. Any donation, however big or small will make a difference. You can help us to help these amazing young singers reach new heights at the World Choir Games in New Zealand.

Please click the link below to donate today, and together, let's ensure that no child's musical potential goes unrealized. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to our dream.

Thank you.

www.gofundme.com/get-fyc-to-nz