What is Harrogate Choral Society and how can you join or hear it sing?

Harrogate Choral Society (HCS) is a mixed-voice, open-age choir that performs a variety of concerts in the Harrogate area. It describes itself as singing to a high standard and welcomes new members into all sections, whether or not they have previous singing experience. If you want to sing, the practical next step is to attend a rehearsal — all are welcome at 7.30pm on rehearsal nights at Christ's Church, Harrogate — and use the choir's contact route to be added to its lists. If you want to listen, check the upcoming events section of its website for concert details.

Who the choir is for

HCS presents itself as a leading local choir with two broad audiences for membership:

• Experienced singers — the society says you will recognise its high standard and that new members are welcome in every section.
• Novice singers — the society says it will support you to the required level "in a surprisingly short period of time," so prior experience is not a condition of joining.

The choir is mixed voice and open age, and it performs a variety of concerts around Harrogate rather than a single fixed programme.

How to join

The website sets out a short path rather than an audition process:

1. Get in touch using the contact link on the site ("Find out how to become a member here" / "Make Contact"). The published phone number is 07711 945929.
2. Ask to be added to the choir's lists — the site says it will add interested singers to its lists once you make contact.
3. Attend a rehearsal — all are welcome at rehearsals, held at 7.30pm at Christ's Church, Harrogate. The site also publishes a rehearsal schedule, which is worth checking before a first visit.

The site does not state a subscription fee, audition requirement or voice test, so treat those as things to confirm directly with the choir rather than assume.

Hearing the choir

HCS lists its next concerts on the site, with a "More Info" link for each:

The site also has sections for upcoming events, reviews and previous events, which is where to look for confirmation and any additional dates. Note that the Northampton date is outside the Harrogate area, so check travel details if you plan to attend that one.

What to expect

• Standard: the choir describes itself as high standard; experienced singers are expected to recognise this, and beginners are supported up to it.
• Repertoire: varied concert programmes rather than one style — the announced Britten anniversary concerts indicate large-scale choral works.
• Support for new singers: the society explicitly frames learning to sing as a supported challenge, not a barrier.
• Other ways to be involved: the site lists sponsorship and a "Friends of HCS" scheme alongside singing membership.

HCS is a registered charity (number 1164776) and a member of Making Music, which is useful context if you are considering sponsorship or a supporting role rather than singing.

Practical checklist

• Want to sing? Call 07711 945929 or use the site's contact link, ask to be added to the lists, then come to a 7.30pm rehearsal at Christ's Church, Harrogate.
• Want to listen? Check the upcoming events page for the November and December 2026 Britten concerts and any later dates.
• Want to support? Look at the sponsorship and Friends of HCS pages.
• Before travelling to a concert, confirm the date and venue on the site's event page, since details can change.