CBSO SO Vocal was founded in 2011 as part of the CBSO’s Arts Champion work in the Selly Oak District.

Open to anyone aged 18 or over who lives locally to Selly Oak, regardless of experience or musical knowledge, the choir boasts around 200 members and has seen in excess of 500 participants since its inception. Having attracted participants with diverse experiences of the CBSO, it has helped raise awareness of the CBSO’s on-going work within the district and has changed perceptions that ‘classical music’ isn’t always what you might think!

Weekly physical sessions are currently replaced with pre-recorded training sessions, SO Vocal Digihearsals, alongside monthly Zoom socials at the regular session time on Thursday evening.

Conducted by inspirational Choral Leader Ula Weber, SO Vocal learns and performs a broad range of repertoire. Recent performances have featured songs by Dolly Parton and ABBA alongside traditional Zulu music and selections from Mozart, Faure and Verdi.

SO Vocal normally meet weekly during term times at The Hub in Hazelwell from 7.30pm – 9.00pm, and there is a termly subscription for membership of £38.