Massed Choir Information 2025

Link to the Livestream to watch on the day

Getty Christmas Concert RAH 2025 (to share, press and hold and select copy)

Dress Code

Ladies: Plain smart black  top or shirt (long or 3/4 sleeves). Smart plain black trousers or smart mid to long black skirt with smart black shoes. A small black handbag is allowed on stage.  No white accessories.

Gentlemen: Plain smart black shirt (long sleeves). Black ties or jackets are optional.  Smart plain black trousers and shoes. Black socks.

NOTE:  For those who have sung previously in the Prom Praise Massed Chorus - there is no red.   All black please.

Crucial Note 1

●      NOTE: YOU WILL NEED YOUR OWN BLACK CHOIR FOLDER

●  Bring the minimum amount of personal items.

●  While on stage, maximum allowed: 1 small bag + packed supper + refillable bottle for water and/or a hot beverage cup. Refillable water stations will be in the galleries.

Crucial Note 2

●  Extreme quiet will be needed in the Galleries and the Loft during the Getty band only rehearsal.  This is definitely a challenge as it is so good to see one another and inevitable to need to communicate as you are settling.

●  Thank you for working together to keep noise to a bare minimum!

On arrival

On arrival at the Royal Albert Hall (RAH) please find the relevant door to your voice part. Your entry door will be printed on your wristband - indicating either WEST or EAST.

NOTE: These doors will NOT be open to choir members before 14:00. 

RAH Door 1 - EAST choir singers                                                                     

RAH Door 11- WEST choir singers

Door 11 is to the left of the South steps entrance behind the statue, and Door 1 is on the right hand side.  If you arrive early, there are lavatories, a coffee shop and a gift shop just inside Door 12.

Please wear your wristband so that it is clearly visible.          

NOTE:  Your wristband does not allow for backstage access.  Only access to the gallery and to the choir loft and public areas is permitted.  

If you are a remote singer or were unable to pick up your wristband at the final rehearsal, it will be waiting for you just outside Door 11 with one of our choir marshalls.  Please arrive in time to pick this up from the choir marshall and then enter through the corresponding door at 2:00 pm.

You will be greeted by a choir marshall who will tick your name off a door list and confirm that you have your wristband and music.  There may be a bag check by an RAH staff member.

Please proceed directly to the gallery via the stairs. Lifts available only for those who need it.                                              

Choir  Timetable

14:00 - DOOR 11 & DOOR 1 OPEN.   Early Access to the gallery is not possible..

14:45 - Line up choir commences

15:05 - Warm Up begins in your choir seats on stage.

15:30 - Rehearsal with Gettys starts

17:30 - Rehearsal ends - exit stage

17:45 -  Supper Break (personal packed tea) - regular tea and coffee provided

18:45 - Prayer & line up choir commences

19:15 - Seated on stage

19:30 - CONCERT BEGINS

20:30 - Interval - please remain in your seats  (25 mins interval)

22:15 - Approx end of concert and exit. Return to collect belongings, clear rubbish and exit the building.

Car Parking Near the Royal Albert Hall

Unfortunately the RAH do not have adequate parking facilities for performers and regrettably no ‘special deals’ with any local authorities for productions. If you intend to drive to the Royal Albert Hall, you may wish to use some of the following options:

1. Kensington and Chelsea Local Authority Spaces:

   1. Various spaces available around the side streets of Prince Consort Road, you can use this Parkopedia link to find out how much parking will cost in one of the nearby streets for the time we are at the RAH.

   2. See their local website for a map of all spaces and restrictions:

      1. https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/parking-transport-and-streets/visitor-parking-and-pay-phone/guide-parking

   3. Generally metered between 08.30 - 18.30, however some cut off sooner (around 13.30 as mentioned above), after which there is unmetered parking. Spaces are limited in these locations.

2. Just Park - a website which lists privately owned garages, driveways and parking spaces which are available to rent for a specified period. Please see: www.justpark.com

3. Imperial College Car Park: Prince Consort Road, SW72BX

   1. http://www.imperial.ac.uk/estates-facilities/travel/car-parking/who-can-park/

   2. Subject to availability (not bookable in advance). Open between 0700 - Midnight on Saturday.

   3. Approx £3.00 per hour

4. Euro Car Park (Royal Garden Hotel): 2-24 Kensington High Street W84PT

   1. Ph: 0870 907 9777

   2. 10-15 mins walk from the RAH

   3. 1hr = £5.00, 4hrs = £13.00, 6hrs = £16.00 (Rates subject to change)

   4. Special night rate (6pm - 8am) = £12.00 Rates subject to change)

5. Hyde Park: Park Lane W1K 7AN

   1. https://www.q-park.co.uk/en-gb/cities/london/park-lane/

   2. Q-Park Park Lane is a large underground car park situated beneath Hyde Park and outside of the Congestion Zone.

FINAL TIPS & REMINDERS:

1. NO CHANGES TO VOICE PART OR CHOIR ASSIGNMENT ON THE DAY. Please do not go to any other choir area other than the one you have been assigned to. As we have several hundred performers in this concert, it is vital that you stay within your designated choir area at all times. 

2. Remember to bring your own Black Choir Folder and Music

3. Personal Items & Valuables: The galleries are fairly secure for coats, snack bags, etc. but do plan to keep valuables on your person at all times. There is limited seating available in the gallery because of Health & Safety requirements.  You may bring a small folding stool.

4. Come dressed and ready for performance.   There will not be a changing space in the gallery.  If you do need to change, you will need to change in a public restroom. Many have found being dressed makes the afternoon more comfortable with adequate time to eat and to relax in the brief time between rehearsal and concert.

5. Reminder: You will need your own refillable water bottle or hot beverage cup + your own packed sandwich supper.  There will be refillable water stations in the gallery.  Please plan to observe and use biodegradable/food waste, recyclable waste and general waste disposal bins.   Tea and coffee will be served during the evening dinner break in the gallery.

6. DURING THE INTERVAL: Plan to remain in your choir seats during the Interval unless absolutely critical to visit the toilets. Please do not use this time to purchase beverages from the concession stands or to visit friends/family as there is a very short turnaround before the programme begins. We note this because in the past, choir members have not made it back to their seats in time for the 2nd half because of congestion in the halls.

7. TRAVEL: Remember that changes to transport schedules fluctuate, so please do plan your transport for this day carefully.

8.  CONCERT TICKETS:   Tickets in demand and available only from the Royal Hall website or box office.  There is not a performer discount for friends and family at this event as it is run by the Royal Albert Hall. 

Emergency Royal Albert Hall:  020 7589 3203