Crouch End Festival Chorus is a large amateur symphonic choir, but with a twist. There are many excellent choirs around London, so what makes CEFC stand out from the others?

Variety

Although CEFC is primarily a 'classical choir' - excelling in works like Britten War Requiem, Mahler's 8th Symphony, Steve Reich's The Desert Music and Bach's St John Passion - it is a choir which offers SO much more and occupies a unique place in the world of choral singing.

Examples in the past include:

• Performing Bach Mass in B minor in the Barbican and then backing Oasis in the Roundhouse the next day 
• Singing with Ennio Morricone in the Royal Albert Hall and then performing Janacek's Glagolitic Mass the next day 
• Appearing on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury with Ray Davies and then two weeks later, singing Mahler's 8th Symphony to open the BBC Proms.  

This is a regular occurrence - indeed in July 2024, the choir appeared with Andrea Bocelli in Hyde Park, then performed Duke Ellington's Sacred Concert in Kings College Chapel and finally Verdi Requiem in the BBC Proms.

The sound

Our music director, David Temple, likes a particular type of voice - one which is 'natural' and not overly trained.  This is why CEFC is so versatile, being able to sing Bach, Mozart, Verdi and also film soundtracks such as Rocketman, and TV soundtracks like Doctor Who and Good Omens.  He works with the choir to produce the right sound to fit the music.  Instead of giving lessons in physiology, he most often uses non-musical imagery to get the sound he wants so that the choir becomes a musical 'chameleon', changing its colour for each style of singing.

Independence

Most of the comparable choirs are linked to orchestras and sing the repertoire they are instructed to!  CEFC has its own artistic programme and - over the course of a season - will produce new and exciting challenges for its singers in a mixture of the choir's own promotions and also engagements which could range from singing Christmas music with King's College Chapel choir to the latest blockbuster Video Games scores.

Quality

Crouch End Festival Chorus has never reached out for business.  All the work which comes our way is a mixture of  'word of mouth' recommendation and repeat business, from extremely satisfied promoters, film companies, rock bands, classical orchestras and the BBC.  This is all testament to the quality and sound of the choir.

Friendliness

CEFC is also a friendly and vibrant choir and its members enjoy the social side of being together as much as the music. A large group of people venture to a nearby pub for a drink after rehearsals, or a bite to eat before performances and there's always an opportunity to catch up with choir friends over a slice of cake and coffee in the rehearsal break.