Farnham Youth Choir

Choir presentation

The Farnham Youth Choir, under the direction of Patrick Barrett, is one of the UK’s leading youth choirs.

Based in the town of Farnham, Surrey, members can join our Training Choir from the age of seven, before progressing to the Junior Choir and then to the Farnham Youth Choir and Senior Choir.

FYC offers outstanding opportunities to perform sacred and secular music in a wide range of styles.

The choir undertakes annual tours in the UK and abroad and has performed in many prestigious London venues, such as the Royal Festival Hall, Cadogan Hall and Menuhin Hall. In addition, FYC regularly commissions and records new music.

Awards & distinctions

More recently, the choir worked with composer Russell Hepplewhite and lyricist Helen Eastman to record three new songs celebrating prominent women in history.

These Herstory songs were released on Spotify in time for International Women’s Day.

After winning two gold medals at the Interkultur European Choir Games 2019 in Gothenburg, the choir plans to take part in the World Choir Games in New Zealand in 2024.

FYC will also take part in an international choir competition in the UK in April 2023.

The choir was founded in 1984 by David and Gillian Victor-Smith, under whose direction the choir won a number of national and international competitions.

Now under the direction of Patrick Barrett, FYC is developing ambitious plans to take part in more international competitions and festivals, as well as to expand its school assembly programme for children aged 6 and over.

FYC’s scholarship programme was created in 2022 to enable all children in the Farnham area to join our choirs and learn singing and music at the highest level.

THE CHOIR DIRECTOR: Patrick Barrett

Patrick Barrett is a conductor specialising in choral music and opera.

He is currently Chorus Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Youth Choruses, the University of Reading Choir, the Irish Youth Training Choir and the award-winning Farnham Youth Choirs.

He works with the Royal Opera House Youth Opera Company and conducted the world premiere of Lewis Murphy’s A Different Story at the Linbury Theatre.

He is currently preparing the youth company for performances of Massenet’s Werther on the main stage.

Previous engagements include preparing children’s choruses for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and English National Opera’s new production of Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen.

Patrick has conducted the University of Birmingham Upper Voices Choir and the Brockham Choral Society.

listen

Would you like to participate with your choir in our festivals? Go on tour in Europe? Submit your application!

Farnham Youth Choir

Choir presentation

The Farnham Youth Choir, under the direction of Patrick Barrett, is one of the UK’s leading youth choirs.

Based in the town of Farnham, Surrey, members can join our Training Choir from the age of seven, before progressing to the Junior Choir and then to the Farnham Youth Choir and Senior Choir.

FYC offers outstanding opportunities to perform sacred and secular music in a wide range of styles.

The choir undertakes annual tours in the UK and abroad and has performed in many prestigious London venues, such as the Royal Festival Hall, Cadogan Hall and Menuhin Hall. In addition, FYC regularly commissions and records new music.

Awards & distinctions

More recently, the choir worked with composer Russell Hepplewhite and lyricist Helen Eastman to record three new songs celebrating prominent women in history.

These Herstory songs were released on Spotify in time for International Women’s Day.

After winning two gold medals at the Interkultur European Choir Games 2019 in Gothenburg, the choir plans to take part in the World Choir Games in New Zealand in 2024.

FYC will also take part in an international choir competition in the UK in April 2023.

The choir was founded in 1984 by David and Gillian Victor-Smith, under whose direction the choir won a number of national and international competitions.

Now under the direction of Patrick Barrett, FYC is developing ambitious plans to take part in more international competitions and festivals, as well as to expand its school assembly programme for children aged 6 and over.

FYC’s scholarship programme was created in 2022 to enable all children in the Farnham area to join our choirs and learn singing and music at the highest level.

THE CHOIR DIRECTOR: Patrick Barrett

Patrick Barrett is a conductor specialising in choral music and opera.

He is currently Chorus Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Youth Choruses, the University of Reading Choir, the Irish Youth Training Choir and the award-winning Farnham Youth Choirs.

He works with the Royal Opera House Youth Opera Company and conducted the world premiere of Lewis Murphy’s A Different Story at the Linbury Theatre.

He is currently preparing the youth company for performances of Massenet’s Werther on the main stage.

Previous engagements include preparing children’s choruses for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and English National Opera’s new production of Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen.

Patrick has conducted the University of Birmingham Upper Voices Choir and the Brockham Choral Society.

listen

listen

Would you like to participate with your choir in our festivals? Go on tour in Europe? Submit your application!