First FYC Singing Spree in Aldershot is a success

On Wednesday, 26 March 2025 Farnham Youth Choir held their first Singing Spree at Princes Hall, Aldershot. We have been running this event at Farnham Maltings for the past three years but this is the first time we have visited the Princes Hall, and it was fab! Over 400 Year 2 children and their teachers attended from six local schools, as well as Councillor Clive Grattan, former Mayor, from Rushmoor Borough Council.

Claire Robins and Patrick Barrett, accompanied by pianist Susan Norman, led a fantastic morning of singing including 'Stand Next To Me' and 'I Just Gotta Sing', by local composer (and FYC alum) Suzzie Vango. All the schools had learnt the song‘We Are One’ by Mark and Helen Johnson, and gave a rousing performance, together with BSL signing.

Feedback from the schools that took part has been really positive and we hope to welcome any keen singers from Aldershot and Farnborough schools to our next, free open rehearsals, which take place on 23rd and 30th April at Farnham Maltings. To sign up go to www.fyc.org.uk/joinus.

FYC Junior Choir runner-up in Barnardo's National Choir Competiton

Farnham Youth Choir is delighted that our Junior Choir was awarded runner-up in the Traditional category in the final of the Barnardo’s National Choir Competition 2025. 

The choir performed Bee! I’m Expecting You! by Emma Lou Diemer and The Moon by Andy Beck, conducted by Margaret O’Shea and accompanied by Susan Norman. The judges received over 70 entries from all over the UK and only 16 were chosen for the grand final. 

The event, held on 4th March at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, showcased some of the finest youth choirs from across the UK. The Barnardo’s National Choir Competition, now in its 17th year, is the largest schools and community choir competition in the UK. 

Melanie Hancox, Chair of Trustees, said, ‘Birmingham Symphony Hall was a huge and very intimidating performance space, but the children rose to the challenge and wowed the judges. Their hard work really paid off. We’re so proud of them all!’

Margaret O’Shea, Junior Choir conductor, said, ‘the singers worked really hard on music and technique, but in the end, they really showed their love for singing as they performed. That’s what won over the audience.’

Congratulations on your well-deserved award, Junior Choir!

FYC announces partnership with Surrey Music Hub

Farnham Youth Choir is delighted to announce a new partnership with Surrey Music Hub. 

Farnham Youth Choir’s dedicated team of professional musicians, led by Artistic Director, Patrick Barrett, provides high-quality choral training and exceptional performance opportunities. Our core offer is the provision of three choirs for children in the Farnham area: a training choir for children in school years two to four; a junior choir for children in school years five to seven/eight and a senior choir for children and young people in school years seven to thirteen (upper voices only). In addition, we run an annual singing morning in Farnham which is free for Year 2 children to attend (funded by Farnham Town Council), as well as offering free singing workshops to local primary schools. 

Surrey Music Hub is responsible for delivering the National Plan for Music Education. They act as an advocate for music education, and encourage young people to take part in music. They support high-quality delivery across Surrey and work closely with partners to deliver a rich programme of activities, both in-school and out-of-school. These are designed to give children and young people the opportunity to sing, learn to play musical instruments and progress with their music making.

Farnham Youth Choir’s Chair of Trustees, Melanie Hancox, said, ‘we are delighted to be working with Surrey Music Hub. This new partnership offers both of us the opportunity to benefit from each other’s considerable experience of inspiring young people to new heights of musical excellence. This strategic partnership will see FYC board members contributing to the development of music education in Surrey and FYC benefitting from improved communications with local schools.’

Join Us!

The next open rehearsals for all three FYC choirs will be Wednesdays 23rd and 30th April 2025 (Training Choir Years 2-4, Junior Choir Years 5-7 and Senior Choir Years 7-13).

All rehearsals take place at Farnham Maltings at 5.15pm.

We’d love to see you there! Please go to fyc.org.uk/joinus to register.

Junior Choir through to final of National Choir Competition

We are so proud of FYC’s Junior Choir, who are through to the final of the Barnardo’s National Choir Competition!

The final takes place in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on Tuesday 4th March 2025. The National Choir Competition is the largest schools and community choir competition in the UK and has been running for over 17 years. For the preliminary round, the choir sent in their performance of Bee! I’m Expecting You! by Emma Lou Diemer and The Bat by Andy Beck, conducted by Margaret O’Shea and accompanied by Susan Norman. The judges received over 70 entries from all over the UK and only a handful were chosen for the grand final. Well done and good luck in March, Junior Choir!

FREE summer holiday singing workshops - places still available

Thanks to funding from Farnham Town Council, FYC Training Choir conductor Claire Robins will be running two FREE singing workshops in the summer holidays.

The workshops are for children in current school years 2-5 and will take place on 21st and 22nd August 10am-12pm at Farnham Maltings, and will be lots of fun! Children are encouraged to come to both sessions and there will be an informal performance for parents and carers at the end of the last session.

To sign up, email community@fyc.org.uk by 9th August.