BigGive Arts for Impact

Exciting news - Big Give match funding

We are pleased to share the news that we have been awarded match funding through The Big Give’s ‘Arts For Impact’ campaign. This campaign runs from 19th March to 26th March (midday) and all donations (up to £2500) we receive via their website during this time will be doubled. All money raised will go towards FYC’s bursary fund, which enables any young person to join FYC, regardless of their financial circumstances. 

https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a056900002SETNwAAP

Our bursary fund was established during the pandemic and is currently supporting eleven singers.  It’s important that we find new sources of support to replenish this fund so that we can continue to offer this much needed financial assistance. 

Our singers will be taking part in a sponsored singing challenge involving either singing everyday or ‘extreme singing’ - singing upside down, whilst swimming, playing football etc. etc. Do check out our social media channels during the week of 19th-26th March to see what they’ve been up to

Please note that all donations have to be made via the Big Give website in order to be eligible for match funding. 

FYC on the BBC!

Did you see the coverage of FYC on BBC News on 2nd January?

For the full article, go to www.bbc.co.uk/news or visit our GoFundMe page to help Senior Choir get to New Zealand in July!

Help FYC's Senior Choir represent the UK at the World Choir Games

In this, FYC’s 40th anniversary year, we have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent the UK at the World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand. There, in July 2024, choirs from around the world will come together in a spirit of friendship and collaboration to inspire and learn from one another. It’s the Olympics of choral singing, and inspires this, the next generation of British choral singers to achieve at the very highest level. FYC is one of only four choirs from the UK to have won gold medals at the World Choir Games in the past, and we have high hopes of success again next year.

But we can’t do it alone.

As a charity we believe that no child’s musical potential should be limited by their ability to pay. And so we ask you to help our choir to perform at the highest level. Any donation, however big or small will make a difference. You can help us to help these amazing young singers reach new heights at the World Choir Games in New Zealand.

Please click the link below to donate today, and together, let's ensure that no child's musical potential goes unrealized. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to our dream.

Thank you.

www.gofundme.com/get-fyc-to-nz

Senior Choir launches FYC anniversary year in style

Farnham Youth Choir’s 40th anniversary year was launched in style on Saturday 14th October, with a dazzling concert by the Senior Choir in St Andrew’s Church.

This musical celebration, conducted by Patrick Barrett and accompanied by Matthew Rickard, had the dual purpose of showcasing the choir’s talents alongside fundraising for our forthcoming trip to the World Choir Games in Auckland in July. We were delighted to have both co-leaders of Farnham Town Council in the audience, alongside several of their colleagues from the council, as well as former members of the choir, parents and friends.

As ever, the programme was hugely varied, with songs from the Renaissance up to the present day, and from around the world - with lyrics in Spanish, Latin, Hungarian and Malay - as well as featuring contemporary British composers Will Todd, Michael Higgins, Oliver Tarney and Ben Parry. The programme was interspersed with a wonderful oboe solo from FYC alum Amelie Budd as well as a captivating performance of a Massenet aria by Hannah Poulsom, another alum and FYC vocal coach. Current choir member Grace performed ‘Voi, che sapete’ from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and singer Maddie played an adagio by Platti on saxophone. Past and present singers explained to the audience what being a member of FYC means to them, and shared some of their memories of past tours.

All in all it was a wonderful evening with many musical highlights, as well as raising over £600 to kick-start FYC’s fundraising campaign. As a charity we believe that no child’s musical potential should be limited by their ability to pay. And so we ask you to help our choir to perform at the highest level, at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent the UK at the World Choir Games in New Zealand. Any donation, however big or small, will make a difference.

www.gofundme.com/get-fyc-to-nz

Farnham Youth Choir kicks off 40th anniversary season

Farnham Youth Choir, one of the world’s best youth choirs, is celebrating its 40th anniversary! Over the last four decades, children and young people have been inspired to come together and sing at the highest level, initially by FYC founder David Victor-Smith MBE and now under the direction of Patrick Barrett. The choir has won numerous awards and performed in many of the world’s most prestigious venues.

The celebratory year kicks off with open rehearsals on 6th and 13th September where children and young people from school years 2-9 are invited to come and see what the choir is all about. If they enjoy themselves, children in school years 2-4 can immediately join the Training Choir and older children can audition for either the Junior Choir or the Senior Choir, where a limited number of places are available. The choir has a bursary scheme and is keen to include children from all backgrounds.

After that, celebrations get fully underway at our autumn concert right here in Farnham at St Andrew’s Church. Tickets are available from our website (fyc.org.uk). Various Christmas performances follow and in 2024, the choir invites alumni to join them at a gala concert in London on 9th March. The year culminates in the Senior Choir jetting off to Auckland, New Zealand, to compete in the Interkultur World Choir Games. It’s going to be an exciting year!

Co-Chair of Trustees, Melanie Hancox, said:

‘We’re so excited to be sharing our anniversary celebrations with our local community. Farnham Youth Choir has such deep roots in the town and we want to include as many people as possible in our celebrations.’

Artistic Director, Patrick Barrett, said:

‘Our anniversary year is going to be busy, but we’re very happy to have so many brilliant performance opportunities to offer our young people. It’s a great time to join one of our choirs.’

Budding singers who would like to go to an open rehearsal should visit fyc.org.uk/joinus.

FYC Senior Choir wins best Children’s Choir!

Farnham Youth Choir is immensely proud to have returned from the Concours Choral International in Provence with another trophy! Conducted by Patrick Barrett and accompanied by Matthew Rickard, FYC won the Children’s Choir category following their outstanding performance against choirs from China and Chartres. 

FYC also competed alongside adult choirs in the ‘Sacred Music’ and ‘Pop, Gospel, Spiritual and Folk’ categories and was delighted to be the children’s choir placed highest in each category. A highlight of the trip for all the young singers was meeting choirs from around the world. FYC member Keira said:

‘It was an amazing experience as everyone from musical backgrounds across the world were coming together to sing. It was also amazing to see the other choirs perform to such a high standard and to spread their love for choral music with big smiles on their faces.’

The tour was a fantastic bonding experience for all involved and cemented the already strong friendships between members. Singer, Zoe, said:

‘Having the opportunity to travel with such a kind, funny and supportive group of people is what made this competition so special.’

FYC parents who were lucky enough to attend the concerts in Provence witnessed this first-hand:

‘As a parent it was a fantastic experience to see the performances and see the choir develop and grow!’

‘The FYC singers all seem genuinely kind and supportive of each other and this seems to be amplified when they are together. These tours give our youngsters life-changing experiences and lessons on how to be kind and accepting human beings.’

So, where next? Farnham Youth Choir choir is looking forward to celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024 with a special concert in London in March 2024 and a tour to the World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand. Local people can support the choir to reach this goal by making a donation at fyc.org.uk/donate.