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Yellow Choir – (Age 9 – Year 6)
The Yellow Choir usually sings in SSA formation, but not exclusively so. For many of the children, it is their first experience of choral singing and so a key part of rehearsals is introducing the choir to choral discipline. This encompasses correct posture, general behaviour, observing the conductor as well as encouraging good vocal technique, voice production and blending within the choir. The music ranges from sacred to folk song arrangements to musical theatre – and everything else in between!
Their conductor, Rachel Smith, is an experienced teacher. She views the children’s choir experience as holistically as possible, not just as a musical entity. Together with her assistant conductor and pianist, she works to create the ‘Yellow Choir Family’ with the children.
‘I just wanted to write to you to say that XXX (yellow choir) has had the most wonderful week with NCCGB.
It was her first proper week away and it has been such a success on all fronts. She loved the music of course, the pastoral activities, making friends, the teachers, the pastoral staff, discovering independence etc. She came back so grown up and enthused.’
Parent of child in Yellow Choir
Our members come from throughout the UK, from a wide range of musical backgrounds.
Rachel Smith
Yellow Choir Conductor
Rachel is currently the Head of Junior Music at The Maynard School, Exeter, where she conducts four choirs across the school. Prior to this appointment in 2016, she was the Assistant Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral School, during which time she founded the Devon County Junior Choir in 2007 which was followed, in 2012, by the formation of Schola Exe, the County Senior Choir. She continued to conduct both choirs until 2021.
Rachel has been the MD of the Chivenor Military Ladies (formerly Wives) Choir since September 2012. In that capacity she has conducted the choir around the country, including at the Royal Albert Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral, Downing Street and Buxton Opera House. The choir has also performed at the Menin Gate, Ypres, at various sites around Normandy and in Spain. Rachel has also been the MD for the Lympstone Military Wives Choir since 2013.
She has conducted the Yellow Choir of NCCGB since 2011.
Audition for the NCCGB
We meet twice a year for week-long residential choir courses, one during the Easter holidays and one during the summer holidays. We also run workshops in schools, and choir tours abroad.
Membership of NCCGB is by audition only. Auditions take place in the autumn.
We accept new choir members who would be at least 9 years old when they join their first Easter course. We expect choir members to attend every course, unless there is an unusual event, for example a family wedding.