The University of Greenwich Choir is an 70-strong chorus made up of students, staff, alumni and friends of the University of Greenwich. The choir rehearses on Monday evenings during term-time on the Greenwich campus, and gives public performances throughout the year including at the University Carol Services and in large choral-orchestral concerts, as well as less formal settings.
The choir sings a wide variety of music including classical, folk, pop, jazz and musical theatre. There is no charge to join, and there are no formal auditions. We welcome those of all standards to our friendly and ambitious choir!
For more information, please email choir@greenwich.ac.uk
Upcoming Performances
Autumn concert
TBC
University Carol Service
Tuesday 26th November Old Royal Naval College Chapel, 6pm and 8pm
Tickets available through the University online shop by clicking here
Rehearsal Dates
Rehearsals take place on Monday evenings from 6.30-8.30pm in the Queen Anne building, Greenwich Campus.
Monday 23rd September, 6:30-8:30pm *this is the first day of term
Monday 30th September, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 7th October, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 14th October, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 21st October, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 28th October, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 4th November, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 11th November, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 18th November, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 25th November, 6:30-8:30pm
Tuesday 26th November carol service
Monday 13th January, 6:30-8:30pm *this is the first day of term
Monday 20th January, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 27th January, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 3rd February, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 10th February, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 17th February, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 24th February, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 3rd March, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 10th March, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 17th March 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 24th March 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 31st March 6:30-8:30pm
SPRING CONCERT – either Saturday 22nd March or Saturday 5th April. SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Monday 28th April, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 5th May BANK HOLIDAY. More information to come, rehearsal may be rescheduled to Wednesday 7th May.
Monday 12th May, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 19th May, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 26th May BANK HOLIDAY. More information to come, rehearsal may be rescheduled to Wednesday 28th May.
Monday 2nd June, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 9th June, 6:30-8:30pm
SUMMER CONCERT - weekend of 13th – 15th June. SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Music Team
Music Director: Olivia Shotton
Olivia is the Choir Director at the University of Greenwich, conducting the University Choir and overseeing the University's Choral Exhibition programme. Olivia completed her MA in Choral Conducting from the Royal Academy of Music with distinction, receiving both a DipRam award for outstanding performance in her final recital and the Sir Thomas Armstrong Choral Leadership Prize. After her postgraduate studies, Olivia remained at the Academy as the 2021-2022 Meaker Fellow, conducting a series of concerts of renaissance and baroque music by women from the Italian convents under the name The CONVENTional Project. During her fellowship, she was the Assistant Chorus Master, working alongside Simon Halsey in preparing the Academy Chorus for a performance of Mahler Symphony no. 3 conducted by Semyon Bychkov at the Royal Festival Hall. Alongside the University of Greenwich Choir, Olivia is currently the Conductor of the University of London Chamber Choir, London Youth Choir West and was the 2022-23 Genesis Sixteen Conducting Scholar.
Accompanist: Benjamin Newlove
Benjamin Newlove enjoys a busy schedule as a freelance harpsichordist, organist and conductor based in London, whilst holding the position of Director of Music at the Royal Church of St. Alfege, Greenwich. Previous posts include positions at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, St. Michael’s Church, Cornhill, St. Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, and St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Benjamin is a prizewinning master’s graduate from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (generously supported as a Help Musicians Postgraduate Award holder), a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, Trinity College London, and the Royal Society of Arts. Prior to Trinity, Benjamin studied at King’s College London, the Royal Academy of Music (Entrance Scholarship), and Chetham’s School of Music. Previous teachers have included: Christopher Stokes, Stephen Farr, Anne Marsden Thomas and Simon Johnson. Currently, Benjamin studies with James Johnstone, focusing on the organ and keyboard works of J. S. Bach.
Benjamin has taken part in masterclasses led by Bine Bryndorf and Martin Schmeding as well playing in the Ryedale, Lausitz, New Paths, Greenwich Early Music and London Contemporary Music festivals as both a recitalist and accompanist. As a consort musician he has performed with many UK based professional groups, most notably the Armonico Consort, Platinum Consort, Epiphoni Consort, Echo Ensemble and The Sixteen. Combined with his work at St. Alfege, Benjamin is the Music Director of the Hill Singers, accompanist to the University of Greenwich Choir, and School Organist of All Saints Catholic College, North Kensington.
David Fussey Choral Exhibition
How to apply
Applications are now OPEN for the 2024/25 David Fussey Choral Exhibition!
The David Fussey Choral Exhibition is a bursary worth £1,000 awarded in memory of Dr David Fussey, the late Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich, who greatly enjoyed choral music. Up to five students are awarded a bursary each year and recipients are expected to take a leading role in the management of the University Choir, including organising events, maintaining the choir mailing list, organising stewards for concerts and setting equipment up for rehearsals. Applicants are expected to be strong singers and good team players. Please visit the Bursaries pages of the university website, or email choir@greenwich.ac.uk with any queries.
Applications must be submitted TUESDAY 8th OCTOBER at 11:59pm. The application form can be downloaded here. Auditions will be held on the evening of Monday 14th October, and will involve performing a piece of your choice, a selection of musicianship and vocal exercises with the Musical Director, Olivia Shotton, and a short conversation about your musical experience and why you would like to be considered for a Choral Exhibition.