Weekly Singing Opportunities

Our own three groups fall into this category of course! Click on the links below to find out more.

• Monday evening, Twilight Chorus, Kendal. A drop in group in Kendal – no need for weekly commitment. Starts again Monday 23rd September – email us to get the term dates.
• Tuesday morning, Dawn Chorus, Kendal. A drop in group in Kendal – no need for weekly commitment. Starts again Tuesday 24th September – email us to get the term dates.
• Tuesday evening, The Growing Singers – a performing, fundraising choir in Kendal. Commitment is encouraged and voice tracks are available for practising in between rehearsals. Free taster session on Tuesday 24th September – email us to get details of how to join that.

The U3A Singing For Fun group (Kendal)

This runs fortnightly on Tuesdays 10.45-12.00 at the Unitarian Chapel in Kendal.  Contact the local U3A for more details.  It’s very popular so must be great fun!  We gather there’s another on a Monday afternoon too run by the U3A, but can’t find the details online – it’s in their little book of groups – it’s like a singaround with some instruments for accompaniment and we know people who LOVE it.  In either case you have to be a U3A member which costs very little annually.  Contact the U3A directly for all details.

The Silver Songsters (Kendal)

This is a singalong session with backing tracks for nearly a 1000 different songs to suit every taste. Lyric sheets are provided and you don’t need any vocal or musical ability to join in. It’s run by Doreen Newman-Holden and Ben Goodman at The Beck Community Centre on Tuesday mornings from 10am to 11.30am. They always welcome new members so just go along and try it! For more details ring Doreen 01539 734583 or Ben 01539 723944.

K-shoes Male Voice Choir (Kendal)

Kendal is lucky enough to have a male voice choir that meets at the Town Hall on Wednesdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. They do a lot of performing throughout the year and always welcome new members, no previous experience required as they are looking for enthusiasm! Contact their Chairman Norman French Tel: 07857 542533 or

Kendal South Choir (Kendal)

Kendal South Choir is a long-established and versatile choir based in Kendal lead by Geoffrey Field. It is about 50 strong, rehearsing and performing a wide variety of music, from oratorio, masses, and cantatas to new and interesting pieces. The Choir is open to all singers without audition. Ability to read music is helpful, but not essential – just bring enthusiasm and a tuneful voice. Rehearsals are always fun! They meet on Tuesdays at 7.30pm at Stricklandgate Methodist Church in Kendal, and especially welcome new tenors and basses.

Lakeland Voices (Kendal/Sedbergh/Penrith and round and about)

Lakeland Voices sing between 7.30 and 9.30pm every Tuesday in the Castle Street Centre in Kendal during term time. All the songs are taught by ear (no need to worry if you don’t read music,) and recordings of the parts are available for home study. They also have a number of optional outings each year which in the past have included singing at the Dent Folk Carols festival, hosting a festival of choirs in Kendal with over 1,000 singers, a tour of Slovenia, and many walks through the Lake District singing beside lakes and waterfalls, and in vast Lakeland caverns, and pubs. Well worth investigating! Contact David Burbidge via the link in the title above.

The Fellside Singers (Kendal)

A 30-strong performing choir that meets in Kendal. If you’re looking for a choir that performs then you might want to audition for The Fellside Singers. They are led by Rachael Wadey and a friendlier bunch you really could not meet.

The Kendal Revellers (Kendal)

An excellent group of singers and players who meet locally to sing folk songs and present Mummers plays and whole lot else besides. Contact us if you’re interested in this group and we’ll pass your details on to them. We don’t know if they have space to recruit more members.

Amabile (Kendal)

This is a wonderful young women’s choir in Kendal with groups for younger boys and girls too. Amabile Girls’ Choir strives for excellence in all areas of performance, communicating the beauty and diversity of music.  This choir, for 13-19 year olds, gave its first formal concert in March 1996, directed by Charlotte Jackson. Rachel Little is the current  Artistic Director, and Amabile employs other highly trained musicians, who conduct and give singing lessons to each girl. Poco Amabile was established in September 2000. In the first year, its membership was eight girls, and it now stands at around twenty. They welcome boys and girls, whose ages range from 7 to 13, lead by Hannah Fleming. Picolo Amabile was established in 2018 for boys and girls aged between 4 and 6 years old. They all hold rehearsals on Fridays at different times at Stricklandgate Methodist Church. 

Kendal Choral Society (Kendal)

Kendal’s Choral Society was founded in 1871 and is the oldest Choral Society in Cumbria and one of the oldest in the country. It has a reputation for challenging the works of contemporary composers such as Lauridsen, Gjeilo and Mealor and creating interesting programmes that dovetail with works from the standard repertoire. Our Summer concerts are less formal and embrace smaller pieces across many genres such as Folk Music, Popular Music and Jazz. Our main concerts are always accompanied by professional instrumentalists and we aim to achieve the highest vocal standards we can whilst having fun. We are a non-audition choir of approximately 40 voices and growing and we are renowned for our friendly and welcoming outreach towards new members. Whilst an ability to read music is ideal but not a pre-requisite, enthusiasm is a must! Rehearsals take place weekly on Thursday evenings, 19:30-21:30, at Ghyllside Primary School, Kendal. Please see our website for further information.

FELLas Male Voice Choir (Kendal)

Hannah Strong Vocals (Kendal area)

Ambleside and District Choral Society (Ambleside)

This choral society has a classical repertoire and draws singers from around Ambleside and the South Lakes. It is a very supportive and friendly environment, and Marco Giudici, our Musical Director, guides them through the pieces so that they become really familiar with them and learn about technique and dynamics. While they do not expect sight-singing ability, members must be able follow their parts in a vocal score, so it is an advantage to be able to read music to at least a basic level. Although we do not hold auditions, we expect members to practise at home between rehearsals. We provide links to audio materials and our Musical Director gives guidance as to what we will be working on at the next rehearsal. We have a range of musical experience and abilities in the choir so please do try it out and see how you get on. It is very rewarding to perform a concert in the church, often with a full orchestra and professional soloists.

The Lakes Gospel Choir (Windermere)

The Lakes Gospel Choir, founded in 2003, has been based in the Windermere is a non-profit community choir and benefits from registered charity status. Although exclusively Christian in ethos and foundation, both Christians and non-Christians join together within the Choir to experience the common joy of singing and the power of the Gospel message. They rehearse on a Monday evening from 7.30pm – 9.00pm, usually following the local school term times at The Mission, Heathwaite, on corner of Limethwaite Rd with Park Rd, Windermere. A warm welcome awaits those who come along to listen to us rehearse and they actively encourage you to do so. If, after hearing them, you are interested in joining the Lakes Gospel Choir, speak to a member of the team on the evening or contact us and they will talk you through the audition process.

The Windermere and Bowness Community Choir (Windermere)

The Kendal Millennium Youth Choir (The Milli) (Milnthorpe)

The Milli accepts young singers between the ages of 7 and 18 of all abilities with no audition. They have junior (school yr 3 to 6) and senior (school yr 7-13) groups that meet separately but perform together. They meet every Tuesday evening at the Milnthorpe’s M Hub. The choir is led by professional soprano and choir leader Tracie Penwarden Allan. They perform often and are especially suited to fund-raising events and are equally adept at supporting the many choral societies in the area when works have specified youth choirs.

Endmoor Community Choir (Endmoor)

The Eversley Choir (North of Carnforth)

They are a mixed-voice choir who rehearse Monday evenings in the attractive modern Priest Hutton and Borwick Memorial Hall. They sing a wide range of music, religious and secular, ancient and modern, and normally hold 3 concerts a year; their Spring concert is usually a substantial work with professional soloists and orchestral accompaniment. They believe in encouraging young musicians and young singers and have collaborated with several youth groups in recent years. To this end they have also recently started a Choral Scholarship scheme for any young person in full-time education who wishes to further their musical education. For more details of this scheme see the ‘Join us‘ page. They also take part in the biennial Mary Wakefield Festival. Their Music Director is Ian Jones, founder of Levens Choir and MD of the Cumbria Festival Chorus. New members, particularly tenors and basses, are welcome. They do not hold auditions but you will need to have a good ear, be able to hold a line in four-part harmonies and have some music reading ability. 

Carnforth Choral Society (Carnforth)

Carnforth Choral Society is a friendly bunch of people who share an interest in music and, especially, choral music. While most of their members are singers, they also welcome members who prefer to stay in the background helping ‘backstage’. They welcome new members whatever your musical ability, so why not give them a go? While there is an easy-going atmosphere, there is also a commitment to working hard to achieve a high standard in performance. Singers can join the choir at any time during the musical year and there are no auditions, or stipulations about being able to read music, although it obviously helps to have some who can. they sing on Thursday nights at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, Carnforth from 7.15pm.

Arnside Ladies Choir (Arnside)

Nice to hear of one during the day! This is a group of 40 very friendly ladies who meet on Friday afternoons 2pm to 4pm at the WI Hall on Orchard Road, Arnside. The conductor is Terry Fleming and he tells us they sing a wide selection of enjoyable music sometimes in unison and also in two and three parts.  They do regular concerts.  There are two terms per year: Sept to Dec and Jan to April. They are always ready to welcome new members who can just turn up and give it a try. No auditions, you’ll just need a love of singing. Terry’s email is if you have any queries.

Arnside Choral Society (Arnside)

Arnside Choral Society welcomes anybody with a love of singing a variety of styles but with an emphasis on oratorio.  There are no auditions and no pre-requisites although a sense of humour is handy!  All you need do is turn up to any Tuesday night rehearsal at 7.30pm at the WI Hall on Orchard Road or attend their open rehearsal which takes place in September.  With an expanding membership of 75 singers, Arnside Choral Society is one of the largest choirs in South Lakeland. With conductor, Ian Alan, musical director, Tracie Penwarden, and accompanist, David Edmonds, they perform large-scale works in June and December and work regularly with professional soloists and instrumentalists from the local area.

“Sing Joyfully”  (Kirkby Lonsdale)

Run by Anastasia Micklethwaite this group Sing Joyfully! is a new choral group with a difference! It aims to bring people together to have fun whilst making music together and learning how to develop their voice. Choral sessions include training in vocal technique and repertoire covers a wide range of genres and styles from classical western traditions, pop, jazz, folk, world traditions and gospel. They guarantee that there will something for everyone!  Sessions run in St Mary’s Parish Church, Kirkby Lonsdale on Wednesday evenings from 6.45pm – 8.00 pm.  Beginners and experienced choral singers are all welcome, irrespective of experience or music reading ability!  For more details and all enquiries, please email Anastasia on or call 07952 601568l. Kirkby Lonsdale Singers, formerly Kirkby Lonsdale Choral Society also join this choir for joint rehearsals.

SONG BIRDS / Feel Good Singing led by Kirsten (Ulverston)

Feel Good Singing is open to ALL voices and ALL people. You don’t have to consider yourself a good singer to join us. It’s a great, friendly and welcoming space. The sessions are easy going and include gentle warms up, learning songs by ear from all genres and parts of the world. We sing all sorts in unison, harmony, counterpart and circle singing.

Mondays 7pm OR Thursdays 10.30am
Venue: Ulverston Methodist Church (In The Back Room) Hartley Street, Ulverston, LA12 0AN

There are also opportunities to join specific Circle Singing and Vocal Improvisation sessions for those that are curious and wish to explore.
Get in touch. For more info and to book your place contact: SONG-BIRDS.COM     OR     facebook.com/songbirdsulverston

The Community Choir at Tebay run by Alison Mott (Tebay)

They meet on Monday evenings from 7.30 until 9.00 in Tebay Social Club, usually during school term times – there are occasional changes to this, so if you are going for the first time, please contact Alison on 07964 978961 or via email at . to check when the next rehearsal is.

Everyone is welcome, not just residents of Tebay. There is a wide range of previous singing experience amongst current members. Children from the age of seven upwards may attend but must be accompanied by a parent or carer.
They sing a wide range of music – songs from the shows, folk songs, unaccompanied African pieces, spirituals, to name just a few! Their next concert will be a celebration of their 10th anniversary and will be held on Monday 22nd May at 7.30 pm in St James Church, Tebay, with celebratory refreshments afterwards in the Social Club. All welcome!

The Eden Singers based in Penrith (Penrith)

They have a singing year running from September to April and hold rehearsals once a week – Tuesday’s 7.15pm to 9.00pm at Penrith Methodist Church, Wordsworth St. The Eden Singers is a community choir of all ages drawn from the Eden area of Cumbria. Their aim is to provide enjoyment, both for members and audiences, by performing a wide variety of music styles. They are a mixed choir singing in 4-parts: sopranos, altos, tenors and basses, lead by John Helyer, Music Director. There is no formal audition, however applicants in some cases may be expected to do a voice test to establish which section of the choir is most suitable; also an ability to read music would be an advantage but not essential. 

Heartsong (Lancaster)

A singing and meditation group held in Lancaster and online.

Bryony Rogers says: “The group sings sacred songs from different spiritual traditions, including Hindu bhajans with the accompaniment of a harmonium.  We also explore sound healing in the form of Chakra chants, toning and improvisation, and silent meditation.”  Much more information is available on the website www.songofawakening.org.uk, or email , or call Bryony on 07533 278581.

Sing Owt! Sing for Fun! Wild Chorus run by Dave Camlin (North Cumbria/Cockermouth/Egremont and beyond)

Dave is a particularly wonderful colleague of mine in the Natural Voice Network and if you can access any of his projects you will have a great time of it. Dave says

“Both my Cumbrian choirs are non-auditioned and we learn mainly by ear, with notation and MP3s available to help learn material. Repertoire is from a wide range of global folk, pop and groove-based traditions, with some local folk material and often with a project focus. I compose a lot of the material specifically for the choirs, so we’re often singing new works. People are welcome to come to try out either group first before committing to regular attendance.”

Sing Owt! Monday evenings in Ullock Village Hall 7-9 pm, especially suitable for new or less confident singers, or those unable to commit to weekly attendance, pay weekly or termly.

Sing for Fun! is a free opportunity to feel uplifted by singing together in the room or online! For anyone looking to improve or maintain their mental health and wellbeing, no previous singing experience necessary, no need to read music – “if you can talk, you can sing!” Run in partnership with North Lakes Recovery College, an ‘all ability’ singing group for anyone who enjoys singing along to their favourite tunes, to those already singing in groups.  This is running at the De Lucy Centre on Egremont Main Street CA22 2AF on Wednesday evenings 18:30 – 20:00.

Wild Chorus sing on Tuesday evenings in Cockermouth Friends’ Meeting House, Kirkgate, Cockermouth 7-9 pm, especially suitable for those looking for more of a singing challenge and willing to commit to weekly attendance, pay termly. Inspired by the wildness of the natural world, Wild Chorus is a performance choir led by Dave Camlin. By singing together in nature, we hope to promote the importance of wild places for the biodiversity and health of our planet.

Derwent Voices (Derwent Valley)

Derwent Voices is a friendly community choir based at Blackhall Mill Community Centre in the Derwent Valley. Bex Mather and Katherine Zeserson lead sessions meeting every other Saturday in the Spring term starting on 14th Jan 10.30-12.30pm with a tea break. Now is a great time to come along to a session to see if you’d like to sing with us. You don’t need to be a confident singer; we learn in a variety of ways using a range of resources including learning ‘by ear’, or with lyric sheets, or with music notation for those who are comfortable with it and/or are learning how to read music notation. The emphasis is on enjoying singing and being together, we expect lots of laughter!

A Threshold Choir (South Lakes area)

There is a Threshold Choir in South Lakeland (singing for those at the thresholds of living and dying and others in need of singing kindness). 

The South Lakes Threshold Singers is a women’s singing group meeting in Kendal. Together they learn songs to sing to those in need of comfort or healing, especially those on the threshold of life. Each session offers an opportunity for you yourself to experience the healing power of being sung to. Their gatherings include sharing circles and shared suppers. They are recruiting new members. They are looking for compassionate, spiritually aware women who are interested in sharing the gift of song and who are comfortable being around those who are very ill or approaching the end of their life. You do not need an amazing singing voice to be part of their choir as Threshold singing is about blending individual voices to sound as one. Songs taught by ear.

For more info please contact Jenny on 015395 65870.