The Fellows Singers
A Stand-Out Chamber Choir
Primrose Hill, London
About
In 2017 a group of budding singers came together for a rehearsal in a house on Fellows Road, NW3. These were people of different musical experiences, backgrounds, and professions, the thing uniting them was their love of singing. From then on the group became known as the Fellows Singers.
A stand-out chamber choir in the Primrose Hill area of London, the group exists to explore a huge variety of repertoire across the centuries, in different styles, and in different languages. Each term we try to incorporate early music, madrigals, opera, oratorio, jazz, musical theatre and pop, so there is always something for everyone. Our conductor regularly writes arrangements for the group, from large-scale stage works by Purcell and Tchaikovsky, to medleys of Abba and Mariah Carey hits. With a focus on healthy singing, stamina building, and a soloistic musicality, the group tackles repertoire that would ordinarily be prohibited to the average smaller group. We take on the challenge to sing all types of music with our own voices and with our own means of expression.
The group is led by the acclaimed tenor Bradley Smith who sings as an opera and oratorio singer for major houses and orchestras internationally. He has a wealth of professional knowledge which he uses to build up the voices, maintain vocal health and stamina, as well as exploring the repertoire in an engaging, informed and musically-rewarding way.
The choir meets for rehearsals in Primrose Hill on Tuesday evenings and hosts three concerts every year. Each pattern of rehearsals takes place over ten to twelve weeks with a concert to consolidate the learning over this period. Each rehearsal comprises a comprehensive vocal warm up, often focused towards the type of music that the choir will be singing later that evening, then the rest of the rehearsal is spent learning repertoire and exploring the music with an emphasis on colour, text, and drama alongside singing. We are a friendly and sociable group, and welcoming to new members.
Our Conductor
The choir is led by Bradley Smith. He studied at St John’s College, Cambridge, and the Royal Academy of Music. He has performed as an acclaimed tenor soloist in opera, oratorio and recital internationally, working with world-leading orchestras, conductors, opera companies, and pianists.
Recent performance venues include St John’s Smith Square, the Cadogan Hall, King’s Place, Birmingham Symphony Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, Theater an der Wien, English National Opera, Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, the Barbican, Theater Magdeburg, Buxton International Festival, Bristol St George’s, the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie, and the Théâtre Champs-Élysées.
Alongside his singing career, Bradley maintains a full schedule of teaching and choral directing. He holds the position of singing teacher at Clifford Chance LLP, as well as Musical Director of their choir which he founded and opened up to their 35 Global offices. The choir comprises those who participate both live and online in 11 countries. He also runs choirs in London and Cambridge, including the Fellows Singers, for whom he composes, writes arrangements, and instructs on vocal technique.
Bradley also teaches at Cambridge University with students from many of the colleges. He holds a teaching position at Selwyn College where he instructs and advises the choral scholars.
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He is the teacher and vocal coach for the Lay Clerks of Southwell Minster, and teaches a large number of professional singers who can regularly be found on opera and concert stages internationally, touring with world-famous consorts, or singing with cathedral choirs in London.
Bradley is a Fellow of the Guild of Musicians and Singers and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In January 2023 the Royal Academy of Music appointed him as an Associate, an honour awarded to the institution’s alumni who have distinguished themselves in the music profession and made a significant contribution in their particular field.
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For more information, please visit bradleysmith-tenor.co.uk
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Where and When
The Fellows Singers meet on Tuesday evenings 7.30-9pm at the Primrose Hill Community Library, 14 Sharples Hall Street, London, NW1 8YN. The room is a good size so that we can spread out but still hear each other well with the added benefit of a baby grand piano.
Rehearsals are extremely informal and we work together to learn the music over the term at our own pace. Bradley will always start with a vocal warm up to make sure we are properly prepared for the huge variety of music we sing.
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The year is split into three terms that run alongside the school year. Normally there are around 10 - 12 rehearsals with a concert at the end of this period.
Our concerts used to take place in a private house on Fellows Road, but our audience numbers grew too fast! Now our concerts usually take place at St Saviour's Church, Eton Road, NW3. Our concerts are accompanied on the John Broadwood piano by professional accompanists and répétiteurs who are all outstanding. The concerts are free admission, open to all, but we always use the opportunity to fundraise for charities that are close to our hearts. We have raised thousands of pounds to date.
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Next Concert:
Media
Extracts recorded live from the Concert for New Year, January 2023
Join Us
There is no requirement to read music or to have sung in a choir, both of which would help of course, but some experience of singing is essential. Did you sing as a child and want to return to it or are you in a community choir and want a smaller group? This could be the choir for you. So be fearless, come along for a taster, try it out, have a great time and enjoy yourself.
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If you are interested please get in touch with Bradley using the contact form below.
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