The “Hackney Choral Society” was formed as an evening class in singing in 1973 as part of the Hackney Institute Adult Education programme. For some years it attracted mainly female voices and was renamed “The Hackney Singers” in 1979. The choir became independent in 1982 and grew under the leadership of Lilian Wilson and later Bill Lloyd to become a mixed-voice choir of over 100, registering as a charity in 1986. Mark Shanahan became our Musical Director in 1998 and Hackney Singers now has over 200 members.
We have been performing in Hackney for over twenty-five years now and we are proud of the musical vibrancy that underlies all our work.
We present at least two concerts a year, working with professional orchestras and soloists, and particularly the Forest Philharmonic. We are delighted that Mark Shanahan’s involvement with both organisations has strengthened the links between the orchestra and the Hackney Singers.
We are based in Hackney, but our members come not only from Hackney, but also surrounding boroughs and even Croydon, Enfield and further afield.
We are different from many other singing groups. We have an open-door policy and do not hold auditions — everybody, regardless of experience, is welcome to join the Thursday night rehearsals. We hold concession rates at no more than 25% of the full rate. Members paying the concession rate are can make a supplementary contribution if they wish by stating on their registration form.
Our rehearsals are stimulating and illuminating as well as being extremely enjoyable. Andrew Storey assists as an accomplished pianist. Mark Shanahan, our music director, and Dan Ludford-Thomas, our assistant conductor, lead our rehearsals. The choir’s appreciation of the high quality of our musical direction has been proved by the excellent and enthusiastic attendance at rehearsals.
We rehearse every Thursday evening during school term time at St Luke’s church, just off Morning Lane. Rehearsals start at 7:30pm. We normally start with a brief warm-up session. We have a short break for Tea, Coffee and biscuits around 8:30 and finish around 9:30pm. Some members of the choir have got into the habit of moving on to one of the local pubs – they’re quite a sociable lot.
The Hackney Singers rehearsals are simultaneously entertaining, relaxing and challenging. Mark, Andrew and Dan leave us in no doubt that we must continue to work hard and improve ourselves but, more often than not, they manage to do that by making us laugh – lots.
