A community choir from South East London found themselves performing live on BBC Radio London, all thanks to a simple listing on Choirslist.
From Local Community to Radio Waves
Founded in 2018 as a women’s community choir, Choir on the Hill is now run by six members who call themselves the COTH sisters. Their ethos is simple: anyone can sing.
“Our ethos is that anyone can sing.”
The group isn’t just about music — it’s about friendship, wellbeing, and belonging.
“It’s not just a choir — it’s a community.”
Like many choirs, they rehearse weekly and perform at local events, from Christmas markets to the Croydon Performing Arts Festival. But no one expected a call from the BBC.
“When they called me out of the blue, I didn’t believe it. I thought someone was having me on. But then I was really excited and told the ladies,” said one of the choir leaders.
BBC Radio London’s 12 Choirs of Christmas
The choir was invited to take part in BBC Radio London’s 12 Choirs of Christmas, a festive feature on Salma El-Wardany’s show highlighting choirs across the city.
The recording took place in one of the members’ flats, where the group gathered to sing their version of Power of Love — a choir favourite.
It was unlike any performance they had done before. In one sense, it was intimate, with only the journalist and producer present. But in another, it was their biggest stage yet: BBC Radio London reaches around 500,000 listeners each week.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the ladies so focused… it just went perfectly.”
The moment brought both nerves and pride. “Everyone thought, ‘We have to get this right.’ It was nerve-wracking,” one leader reflected.
“It was one of the best performances we’ve ever done.”
More Than Just a Performance
For the choir, the experience was transformative. Just six months earlier, leadership had changed hands and there was uncertainty about the future. The BBC appearance gave them a renewed sense of unity and purpose.
“Being on the radio gave us a sense of unity and pride — it showed us we could do this.”
Members also spoke of the personal boost it gave them. One said:
“Singing on the radio sounded like a far-fetched idea, and something I never contemplated before. It has even given me the confidence to sing solo on stage, a memory that will stay with me forever.”
While the broadcast didn’t immediately bring new members, the choir used the BBC content to boost their digital presence. Sharing clips on social media and their website helped showcase who they are: warm, joyful, and welcoming.
“Singing is so much more than music — it’s joy, belonging, and a tribe.”
That tone matters. New members often say the reason they joined was because of how inviting the choir looks online.
It Started with a Listing
The journey to BBC Radio began with a Choirslist profile. What seemed like a small step turned into a big opportunity — not just for visibility, but for confidence, connection, and growth.
“This would not have happened if we hadn’t been listed on Choirslist.”
At Choirfarm, that’s what Choirslist is all about: helping choirs grow by being easier to find, easier to connect with, and easier to share.
