The 150-strong UEA Choir is open to all by audition and was established in 1965 under Sir Phillip Ledger, UEA Director of Music until 1974. Since 2010, it has been directed by Tom Primrose.
Rehearsals and performances
UEA Choir enjoys membership from students, staff, and members of the local community. The choir rehearse on campus every Monday (19:30 - 21:30), during semester time, and perform either alone or with the UEA Symphony Orchestra at least three times a year. You can find details of past UEA Choir performances in our Events Archive.
The 2023-24 concert season will continue on Wednesday 13 December 2023 with 'UEA Choirs Christmas Carol concert' at The Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Norwich and conclude on Saturday 2 March 2024 with UEA Choir and Cambridge Philharmonic's 'Elijah' concert at Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden. Tickets for the Carol concert are available to buy online now from the UEA store (until 10am on the day of the concert); a limited number of tickets may also be available to purchase (by card or cheque only) on the door (please see individual event listing for ticket availability). Tickets for the March concert are available to buy online now from the Saffron Hall website.
You can find details of forthcoming UEA Choir performances in our Upcoming Events Calendar.
Auditions
UEA Choir is open to beginners, as well as more experienced singers. Some previous experience singing in choirs is preferable, but not essential. Fluency in reading music is an asset, but we will consider any suitable voice whatever the level of reading ability.
All singers are auditioned, however the auditions are short and very informal.
Auditions for the 2023 – 24 concert season have now passed. However, we do still have some vacancies for Tenors and Basses. To book an audition please fill out this form or email us stating your voice type, experience and availability for audition. Auditions are five minutes long. For the audition, candidates will be asked to sing some scales, do some vocal exercises (as directed by Tom) and work through two or three lines of a previously unseen piece. It is not a requirement, but they may wish to prepare a short song of up to two minutes.
Subscriptions
Full subscription rate is £49 for the year, and concession subscription rate (seniors (over 60s) and non-UEA students) is £24.50 for the year. Please note membership is free for UEA members (students and staff).