RSCM Voices South
RSCM Voices South (VS) is an adult training choir, which sings approximately five services per year in cathedrals and major churches across the South of England. Most events take place on Saturdays (or occasional Bank Holidays and full weekends) and singers come from across the region to rehearse before the service at the end of the day.
Learning new repertoire and developing vocal and musical skills is at the heart of the choir’s work, so the music list for the year includes a wide range of styles and periods which present different challenges and teaching points. The choir is currently directed by Hilary Punnett.
Voices South currently has space in all voice parts but is particularly keen to hear from prospective sopranos and tenors.
Dates for 2023/24:
Saturday 4 November – Collegiate Church of St Mary’s, Warwick
Saturday 2 March – Croydon Minster
Monday 6 May – Portsmouth Cathedral
Saturday 22 June – Norwich Cathedral
Monday 26 August – Canterbury Cathedral
FAQs
Q. Who can apply?
A. Membership is open to adult members of RSCM-affiliated churches and choirs, or Individual/Student members of the RSCM. Admission to the choir is by audition. The standard expected of applicants is roughly equivalent to that of RSCM Silver Award level. All members must comply with RSCM Safeguarding requirements.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. Standard membership - £105 (either payable in full at the start of the academic year or as three payments of £35 spread across the year)
Singers are responsible for providing their own music. Bursary funding is occasionally available; please contact the choir administrator for further details.
Q. What happens at the audition?
A. As well as preparing a piece to sing (The RSCM Silver Award syllabus contains examples of possible repertoire), you will be asked to demonstrate some vocal exercises to test range and tone quality, and given some sight-singing to test your ability to tackle new music. Some auditions may be conducted online.
Q. How do I apply to join?
A. Email voicessouth@rscm.com to apply.
Hilary Punnett - Director of Voices South
Hilary is currently Director of the Cathedral Singers of Christ Church, Oxford, Ingatestone Choral Society and the Stondon Singers. As a conductor, she has become known for her work with amateurs and young people and has regularly collaborated with the RSCM both as course and VfL tutor, and more recently as Area Team Leader for Essex and East London from 2021-2023. She is Associate Musical Director of the Platinum Choristers, leading the newly formed choir of girl choristers. They will be performing Handel’s Messiah at St John’s, Smith Square in November 2023.
As an organist, Hilary regularly performs around the UK, recently giving recitals at Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, New College, and Southwell Minster. She has also appeared on several CD recordings, including Southwell’s acclaimed recording of the Cavaillé-Coll organs in Sées cathedral in 2013, and Northampton Bach Choir’s Be Merry CD. Over the past fifteen years, she has been organist at Chelmsford Cathedral, Lincoln Cathedral, All Saints’ Church, Northampton, Southwell Minster, and Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal. Her collaborative work has also led her to perform with such choirs as the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus.
Hilary holds an M. Mus in Organ Performance from McGill University in Montreal, is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, and is currently pursuing an MA in Choral Conducting with Patrick Russill at the Royal Academy of Music.
