Belfast Philharmonic Youth Choirs

The Belfast Philharmonic Youth Choirs provide a unique choral music education for children and young people aged between 5 and 18 in Belfast and the surrounding areas. Singers learn choral music both traditional and contemporary, take part in musicianship classes with expert tutors, and sing in high quality performances often alongside professional musicians.

Rehearsals are held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in St Bride's Hall, Derryvolgie Avenue just off the Malone Road in South Belfast and there are six choirs in total:
 

Phil Kids Minis - Tuesdays from 4.50pm - 5.40pm (P2 - P3)

Phil Kids Year 1 - Tuesdays from 4.50pm - 5.50pm (P4 - P5)

Phil Kids Year 2 - Tuesdays from 6pm - 7pm (P5 - P6)

Phil Kids Year 3 & 4 - Tuesdays from 6pm - 7pm (P6 - P7)

Phil Youth Choir - Wednesdays from 5.15pm - 6.45pm (ages 11-16)

Phil Chamber Choir* - Wednesdays from 5.15pm - 7pm (ages 14-18)

*The Chamber Choir for the 2025-26 season is for soprano and alto singers only
Youth Choir Aims

The aims of the Youth Choirs are to encourage singing to the best of the singer’s ability; to learn to read music and to develop and train the voice. The emphasis is on singing for fun, and on the establishment of good pitching and a good ear in a programme devised in line with the Kodály principles of music education, developed in Hungary by the composer Zoltan Kodály. Musicianship sessions take the form of small groups with pitching and rhythm games. Principles of 'sol-fa' and notation reading are introduced and developed as singers progress through the choirs.
The choirs usually perform twice per season, sometimes with additional concerts with the Belfast Phiharmonic Adult Choir, the Ulster Orchestra and Northern Ireland Opera, providing opportunities unique in Northern Ireland. The soloist for the Ulster Orchestra's annual Snowman concert is chosen from the Youth Choirs and members of the Youth Choir performed in Northern Ireland Opera's production of Tosca in the Grand Opera House in 2023.


The Society are already planning ahead for the exciting 20th anniversary of the Youth Choirs in 2025-26 so now is a perfect time to join!


 
Joining the Youth Choirs


We will be holding taster sessions for the Phil Kids on Tuesday 2nd September. Click here for more information and to book a slot.
If you are not able to attend, please get in touch with Helena Carlin, Youth Choir Administrator, to arrange for your child to attend another rehearsal and meet the music team - philyouth@belfastphilharmonic.org.uk - as we will be accepting applications all term.


Open rehearsals for the Youth and Chamber Choirs will take place on Wednesday 3rd September and click here for more information and to book a slot.
 
Auditions for the 2025-26 Season
Auditions are only required for the Youth and Chamber Choir (ages 11-18) to assess voice, range, and musicianship ability and can be arranged any Wednesday before or after rehearsals so please get in touch to book a date and time. 

Membership Fees for 2025-26
There is an annual membership fee to join the Youth Choirs which can be paid in one or multiple installments:

Phil Minis and Phil Kids - £205
Youth and Chamber Choirs - £220

However, we do not want anyone to be dissuaded from joining because of fees - if you have difficulty paying please contact Helena Carlin confidentially by email (philyouth@belfastphilharmonic.org.uk)

Join the Youth Choirs

To join the Youth Choirs click here and if you have any questions contact Helena Carlin by email - philyouth@belfastphilharmonic.org.uk