Choirs and Singing

The following County choral groups exist to support talented and enthusiastic singers in Kent:

• Kent Youth Choir (KYC): Singers aged 16 - 21
• Kent Youth Chamber Choir (KYCC): Senior and former members of KYC (age 18 - 25)
• Kent Youth Barbershop (KYB): Subsidiary of KYC
• Kent Youth Singers (KYS): Singers aged 16 - 21
• Kent Girl's Choir (KGC): Female Singers aged 14 - 16
• Kent County Junior Choir (KCJC): Singers aged 11 - 14
• Kent County Junior Singers (KCJS): Singers aged 8 - 13
• Kent Junior Chamber Choir (KJCC): Subsidiary of KCJC

Complete An Online Audition Application Form 

Junior Choirs Rehearsal Schedule

Kent Youth Choir

KYC, the County's principal youth choir, gives opportunities for choral singing at an advanced level to talented and committed musicians between the ages of 16 and 21.  Residential 4-day courses are held in the 3 main school holiday periods, when music of varying styles and from many periods and countries is studied at depth in preparation for public performances, under the direction of visiting conductors of international repute including Mike Brewer OBE, Bob Chilcott and David Lawrence.

The choir regularly takes part in concerts throughout Kent and has performed at all of the major concert venues in London.  Since its inception, the Kent Youth Choir has embarked on various successful overseas tours to France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and more recently to Finland and Estonia.

Kent Youth Chamber Choir

KYCC comprises senior and former members of KYC, ranging from 18 to 25 years of age.  Courses are held during the 3 main school holiday periods, developing members' choral skills and experience through study of more demanding and mostly unaccompanied music for small ensembles.  The group, which is normally 16 to 20 in number, performs regularly at KYC concerts, on tours and as a visiting choir at many major Cathedrals throughout this country.

Kent Youth Barbershop

KYB is a subsidiary of KYC and has emerged as a direct result of the chamber ensembles that have been encouraged during KYC courses.  This group of 8 to 10 senior male singers is highly popular, entertaining audiences everywhere with its often humorous and highly professional performances.

Kent Youth Singers

KYS was formed in response to the great demand for places in the Kent Youth Choir.  Membership of this lively and talented mixed choir, aged 16 to 21 years, is highly sought after and members are selected by audition from across the county.  With experience gained in this group, many members go on to audition successfully for membership of KYC.  A varied programme of music, which includes some choreographed items, is studied during the 3 residential 4-day courses that the Singers share with the Choir each year.  The choir has performed as a guest choir at concerts in Canterbury and Rochester and has enjoyed successful concert tours to France, Belgium, Germany and Holland.

Many members of the youth choirs receive individual music lessons, both vocal and instrumental through Kent Music.  Many have gone on to study music at college and university and some have enjoyed success as solo performers.  Most have followed careers in areas other than music but continue to enjoy music-making as an important leisure activity.

Throughout the County Youth Choirs' programme of education, attention is given to promotion of members' vocal skills and of their understanding and interpretation of musical notation along with the monitoring of individuals' vocal development and general progress. This takes place under the guidance of specialist vocal coaches for all voices.

Kent Girls’ Choir

Under the guidance of a specialised voice coach and conductor, young female voices of singers between 14 and 16 years of age are given the opportunity for training and experience, before taking the major step of joining one of the senior choirs.  2 residential courses are held each year, at Easter for 4 days and in the summer for 3 days.  In addition, the choir meets monthly during term time for day rehearsals on Saturdays.  Established just a few years ago, the choir is now enjoying concerts and tours alongside the other county choirs.

Kent County Junior Choir

KCJC was formed following the great success of the first 3-day residential singing courses for junior and younger secondary school pupils held at Benenden School and the enthusiasm these courses engendered.  Members are from all areas of the county, aged 11 to 14.  The choir is taught by choral and vocal specialists, who also teach music in the county's schools and Kent Music centres. 

Two residential courses are held each year, at Easter for 4 days and in the summer for 3 days.  In addition, the choir meets monthly during term time for day rehearsals on Saturdays.  KCJC is in great demand to take part in concerts throughout Kent.  The choir has also performed in the National Festival for Youth at the Royal Festival Hall and undertaken concert tours to Belgium and France, including a number of performances at Disneyland Paris.

KCJC Chamber Choir, a subsidiary of the Junior Choir, offers further experience to those selected to join, and performs at KCJC concerts and on tours.

Kent County Junior Singers

Affectionately known as the "Smarties" because of the multi-coloured polo shirts they wear on stage, the singers in KCJS are aged between 8 and 13 years.  This group aims to communicate to children the sheer joy of singing, leading them to understand the delight of the emotional and dramatic response they are capable of giving and receiving.

KCJS meets for three 1-day rehearsals per term, a 4-day residential course at Easter and a 3-day residential course in the summer.  They have taken part in concerts in Gillingham, Rochester and Medway Festivals, other concerts in Kent, the Schools’ Prom at the Royal Albert Hall and concert tours to Holland and Germany, which have proved to be a great success both musically and socially.

Throughout their time in KCJS and KCJC our young singers are musically guided and educated in the art of choral singing and general musicianship, providing an ideal stepping-stone to the more senior choirs.

For further information regarding auditions, membership, vacancies or booking of the County Youth Choirs, please contact the choirs administrator at Kent Music on 01622 358406.