Choral Societies – a living heritage practice

Choral Societies are part of our living heritage - and they deserve to be included in the Living Heritage inventory.

What is a Choral Society?

Choral societies are community-run amateur choirs of up to 200 singers, singing mainly classical and sacred repertoire in four parts – soprano, alto, tenor and bass. More than 2,000 chorals across the UK rehearse and perform concerts regularly as a leisure activity, the oldest being over 200 years old. 

More than 2,300 choral societies, from chamber to philharmonic (200+ singers) exist in the UK. Rooted in communities, they draw members and audiences from their urban, rural and island localities. Amateurs, mostly adults, sing in four parts – Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass – as an artistic and leisure activity, with professionals engaged as music directors, accompanists and soloists. Typically voluntary, constituted organisations (often with charitable status), run by member committees; chair, secretary, treasurer, librarian, concert organiser, publicist etc. 

Typically, choirs rehearse weekly in community spaces – church, school, community halls etc. They usually perform three to six times a year in community venues, to audiences of 60+ to 2,000+, in concert dress, accompanied by piano, organ or orchestra (some societies are both orchestra and choir). Performances can be recorded for sale or broadcast. Some choirs tour to large venues, festivals, and abroad. Some have youth choirs or include young people e.g. as choral scholars. Repertoire is mostly classical and sacred, with a huge body of work written for them, including contemporary work and commissions; many maintain sheet music libraries. Societies are financially supported by membership subscriptions, concert and recording income, donations, grants and fundraising; surplus funds go back into the organisation.

The emergence and history of Choral Societies

Choral Societies were formed across civic society from the late 18th century with the oldest choral societies being over 200 years old. They play an important role sustaining large-scale choral repertoire in a country with relatively few permanent professional choirs. Singers mostly read music notation, but historically were also taught aurally, making choral singing an accessible and popular leisure activity. As older and younger people sing together, the craft and culture of choral singing and the skills of running the groups are passed on as they are practised. Participation supports wellbeing, social connection and a strong sense of local cultural identity.

Our Living Heritage – and what puts it at risk

UK Living Heritage, or Intangible Cultural Heritage, is being collated in inventories by the UK Government, following on from its signing of the UNESCO Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. A wide range of music-making and performance practices can be included, not just older forms of traditional music, but also more modern forms such as brass banding, steel bands or drum and bass. The term Living Heritage means that it is both currently practised and has some heritage i.e. has been passed on over at least some generations (including activity emerging relatively recently e.g. Notting Hill Carnival, Edinburgh Fringe).  

We think Choral Societies are Living Heritage, and so we have submitted this element for consideration. The Inventories are due to be published in late 2026.

One of the purposes of this process, is so we can recognise any risks to our practice, and so work to address these. 

Choral societies increasingly face a number of risks. Rising costs of hiring rehearsal and performance venues threaten financial sustainability. Access to sheet music has become difficult as public library collections close or disperse. Copyright fees can make new repertoire expensive. Many societies report ageing memberships and audiences, partly because fewer young people encounter choral singing or learn music notation in schools. Cost of living challenges make payment of membership fees challenging and add to the challenge of finding volunteers to run the societies. Without continued recruitment and community support, some societies merge or cease activity.

We hope inclusion in the Inventories of Living Heritage will bring attention to our rich heritage and help us to work to keep it thriving. 

Find out more about the Living Heritage Inventory

Banner photo credit: Hertford Choral Society