Whether you're a shower-singing superstar, a total beginner who lip-syncs through Happy Birthday, or somewhere blissfully in between, Nottingham has an absolute goldmine of singing groups just waiting for you to walk through the door. From powerful gospel choirs to cosy community singalongs, this city is bursting with opportunities to raise your voice, make new friends, and have an absolute blast doing it.

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So, without further ado, here are our top ten singing groups in Nottingham, and spoiler alert; number one is going to make you want to sign up today.

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1. Sing Social

Alright, right off the bat (and yes we're biased!) we can tell you that Sing Social comes out on top because the rest really just can’t compete! Sing Social is a completely new fun singing group which has opened up its doors to Nottinghamshire and already made its way into everybody’s hearts and minds. Its philosophy is just perfect; gather together once a week for one hour where you can sing your favourite hits from pop music, rock, and musicals without the fear of performance and without a marking sheet or any judges looking down upon you.

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It’s what sets Sing Social apart from its competitors. Their “no audition, no pressure” mindset. This is not about being the most talented vocalist present, but about feeling good, connecting, and finding your tribe through singing an amazing song together. It is a weekly hour that is completely yours. An opportunity to de-stress, have fun, laugh, sing, and walk out feeling ten times better than you did when you came in! Regardless of whether you've been singing all your life or have no idea when you've last sung (out loud at least, around another person), this is the singing social club for you. It is welcoming and friendly. It was made for Nottingham.

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2. Fun Chorus

Coming in at number two is Fun Chorus, a feel-good wellbeing choir based in Nottingham that absolutely lives up to its name. Their whole ethos is about singing for joy, confidence, connection, and community and they deliver on all four counts spectacularly.

No auditions here either, and absolutely everyone is welcome, regardless of whether you can carry a tune or not. Fun Chorus is unauditioned and mixed, which means you'll be joining a wonderfully eclectic group of people united by one thing: the sheer delight of making noise together. They describe themselves as being about "big energy, big heart, big smiles, and brilliant people" and if that doesn't make you want to pull on your coat and head over, we don't know what will.

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3. Sing It BOLD

If you’re looking for something electrifying in your life, you should try the amazing gospel choir, Sing It BOLD, which hails from Nottingham. Starting off as a six-piece band in 2018, the choir now boasts a membership of more than 65 people in three different cities, has created a charity song, performed in sold-out concerts, and is now in the final stages of the 2024 BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year contest. Impressive, right? But what makes it even more thrilling? There’s no need for any kind of audition at all! Just come with the drive to sing and you’ll fit right in. Whatever your taste in music is, whether gospel, pop, soul, or anything else, they believe in making every individual and every audience member bold.

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4. Nottingham Playhouse Choir

For something a bit more extravagant, Nottingham Playhouse Choir is simply fabulous. Associated with one of the most adored cultural landmarks in the city, this choir performs all sorts of musical styles that relate to the productions of the Playhouse, whether it be Broadway blockbusters, West End hits, or even some pop hits here and there. No audition process is necessary, nor do you need to have any experience reading music; all you need is the enthusiasm and determination to join. Some of their past performances include songs from "Come From Away," "Wicked," "Les Misérables," "Carousel," and "Rent." If you’ve ever sat in the audience of the Playhouse and thought, “I wish I was up there,” then here’s your chance to be close to the stage.

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5. Nottingham Harmonic Choir

In case if classical music is your passion, you may consider joining the Nottingham Harmonic Choir because it will complement your love for music. It consists of 180 people and what makes the Nottingham Harmonic Choir unique is that it has been existing for more than 160 years. In fact, it is considered the best choir in the East Midlands region. The Nottingham Harmonic Choir gives concerts of classical choral music at fantastic locations such as Southwell Minster, whereas rehearsals of the choir are held each Monday at the Nottingham Emmanuel School. Our choir is even more professional because we are a choral society with our rich repertoire.

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6. Daytime Voices

Are you one who enjoys staying at home in the evening, or is there some other obligation that will leave you available in the day? If so, then Daytime Voices could be your ideal choice. This afternoon choir, organized by Music for Everyone, invites anyone irrespective of their singing ability. The choir offers a beautiful blend of jazz, pop, and classical music. You can choose from the different groups that operate from various places in Hucknall, Southwell, West Bridgford, Wollaton, and Sherwood. The rehearsals take place throughout three terms each year, and the participants can also perform concerts, including the one organized at the Albert Hall, Nottingham.

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7. The Collaboration Choir

The Collaboration Choir is a wonderful community choir which operates from Kimberley, located northwest of the central part of Nottingham. The choir gathers every Tuesday evening under the direction of Jennie, an extremely enthusiastic director of The Collaboration Choir, who is a professional singer and pianist with more than ten years of experience in the industry. The Collaboration Choir is specialized in singing famous pop songs in the most welcoming atmosphere possible. There is no need for prior experience at all, new people are very welcome, and there is also an opportunity to try out the choir for free!

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8. West Bridgford Social Singers

On to the next community choir, which is located in West Bridgford and known as the West Bridgford Social Singers. These guys are quite talented as they have managed to form a very friendly community choir with many great songs in their repertoires. From old classic hits to new age hits, ballads to gospel music, they perform everything. They rehearse each Tuesday evening at the West Bridgford Methodist Church Hall, although they are full and taking names for auditions.

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9. The Joyful Jukebox

This one is truly an unexpected treasure! The Joyful Jukebox, run by Helen Tooth, holds informal social singing events of popular music, which are dementia-friendly and totally inclusive. Nothing to book, nothing to worry about, and nothing to plan – it’s simply a room full of people enjoying themselves while singing their favorite songs with a nice cup of tea. Held twice a month in different venues around Nottinghamshire and Cotgrave/Keyworth areas, these events are guaranteed to make you feel warm inside.

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10. Singing Proud Nottingham

Completing our list of top ten choirs is Singing Proud Nottingham, which holds a special place in our heart because of their dedication to providing a welcoming and uplifting environment for all members. They are an excellent example of a vibrant choir with a wide variety of people, and they are exactly how community choirs should be – a place for coming together, feeling proud, and enjoying the sheer pleasure of singing with others.

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So, Where Should You Start?

Honestly? If you're reading this list and feeling that little flutter of maybe I should finally do this, start at number one. Sing Social's approach of no auditions, no pressure, just singing for the sheer fun of it, makes it the perfect first step into Nottingham's brilliant singing community. Pop over to the Sing Social Join a Club page and find your nearest group. Whether you end up staying with Sing Social or it inspires you to explore some of the other wonderful groups on this list, the only thing you'll regret is not starting sooner - Nottingham is singing, so come and try it for yourself.

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