Portsmouth Choral Union Open Rehearsal

The Portsmouth Choral Union are opening their doors at The Portsmouth Academy on Tuesday 29 September, from 7.15 to 9.15 p.m. It's an open rehearsal, which is exactly what it sounds like: you can come along and watch them work through their current repertoire rather than sitting through a formal concert. The evening doubles as a recruitment call, so if you like what you hear, you're invited to join. They're putting out a particular call for sopranos, and while being able to read music is an advantage, it's not essential.

What you'll hear that night is a pairing of the new and the familiar. There's Eric Whitacre's The Sacred Veil, a piece new to the choir, alongside Fauré's Requiem, which most will recognise. Both are performed with piano accompaniment by Sue Graham Smith. It's a good way to get a feel for the kind of music they're taking on this season, and since it's a rehearsal, you're seeing the work that goes into it rather than the finished product.

The choir is currently in the middle of its 2026-2027 season, so this is a chance to drop in and see how they operate. If you're thinking about singing, the open rehearsal is a low-pressure way to find out if it's for you before committing. The evening is run by the choir's registrar, Sonia, who's the one to talk to if you have questions — you can reach her at pcuregistrar@gmail.com or 07882518844, and there's more information at www.pcuchoir.org.

It's free to attend, and it runs from 7.15 to 9.15 p.m. at The Portsmouth Academy, St Marys Rd, Fratton, Portsmouth PO1.