The Category Croydon is a subset of London (South). Look at that broader Category to find a List of the Titles of all the Organizers, Performers and Venues associated with Croydon which have so far been described in this Directory. Clicking on a Title will link you to the Entity's Full Record.

In contrast, the following Entities do not (currently) have Records in 'Open Concerts and Recitals'. Here, clicking on a Title of interest should link you to a relevant external Website (or Facebook Page):

- Chandos Choir

- Croydon SDA Gospel Choir

- Surrey Harmony

'Meets monthly throughout the year, with most meetings taking place on Saturdays. These meetings include visits to organs locally and further afield; social events like the Annual Dinner and Christmas Supper Party; and "educational" meetings to assist members in developing their expertise. Additional meetings are sometimes arranged on weekday evenings ... Several successful day-tours have been organised ...'

Sections include: Choirs and Singing; Woodwind Brass; Strings; Pianoforte. Held Early March.

Founded 1965: ‘Guest nights form the bulk of our operation and we have, over the years, provided a varied programme of excellent quality ... Singers and Musicians nights, sometimes called “Open Mike”, are held regularly and all corners are encouraged to sing and play. This is the basis of any good folk club, the encouragement of performance at whatever level. No need to call for a spot: just turn up and go’.

‘A service that works to ensure children and young people in the Borough have access to creative opportunities. We work as part of a network of local partners that include the majority of Croydon state schools, a range of cultural organisations and alternative education services.‘ The Service is the Lead Organisation for the Croydon Music Education Hub.

‘Open to all to perform in Western Music, South Asian Music, Dance, South Asian Dance and Speech and Drama. It is one of the largest performing arts festivals in the country attracting over 1000 performers each year.’ Most Music Sections held Late April - Early May.

'Nowadays, we take for granted easy access to recorded music, through internet streaming, a myriad of radio stations and on portable music players ... However, the pleasures of listening to music in the company of other like-minded individuals, and connected with an informative talk, still remain relevant, and this is the core mission of the Croydon Recorded Music Society. The programmes are given by our own members, by members of other music societies and by professional visiting speakers.'

‘Emerald Music School provide award winning choirs, theory and a band for musicians aged 6-18 in Purley, Beckenham and Carshalton ... The students come from a wide area and over 30 schools are represented in the current membership. Countless friendships have been nurtured through Emerald and many continue through the Osiris Ensemble and into adulthood.’

'A major biennial competition for string, woodwind and brass players aged 13-17, with many prizes, including the opportunity to win a fully-funded boarding education at Whitgift School, UK.' [2019]

‘Our music covers a very wide range, from Abba to Bach, and includes films and shows, light opera, traditional folk tunes, and arrangements of the classics or pop compilations. For players this provides variety and interest – while to those who book the band we can offer a choice of programme to suit any occasion. ASCB gives performances throughout the year at both indoor and outdoor events, in a variety of venues from bandstands to shopping centres, and including local churches, community halls and schools. We help several charities with fundraising.’

'Established in 1960 and with a current membership of approximately sixty, the Croydon Bach Choir is one of the leading choral societies in the South East. Each season we perform a number of concerts in Croydon, including works by Bach but also a diverse range of other choral repertoire, generally engaging professional soloists and orchestras ...'

‘The home of Musicals & Drama for Croydon, CODA (Croydon Operatic and Dramatic Association) stages a variety of exciting musical and drama productions at the Ashcroft Theatre and various other venues in and around Croydon & Sutton each year ... Active in the borough since 1943, CODA believes the arts play an essential role in our everyday lives, our cultural identity and our economy. Performance art inspires, challenges and educates us.  CODA works to promote the wider positive impact art has on society and support more organisations to benefit individuals and communities through their work. CODA and its members also promote the philosophy that the fine arts provide non-academic benefits such as promoting self-esteem, motivation, aesthetic awareness, cultural exposure, creativity, improved emotional expression, as well as social harmony and appreciation of diversity.’

‘An amateur community wind band founded in 1973 ... Welcomes all wind and percussion players of all ages and standards to its rehearsals on Wednesday evenings in West Croydon. There are no auditions. We are entirely self-supporting and financed through membership subscriptions and revenue from concerts. The Band is available for hire for corporate, community or charitable events and concerts can be indoors or outdoors. There is an extensive repertoire from which to choose.’

‘Croydon’s finest amateur orchestra ... The Society was founded in 1920 by Dr.W.H.Reed, from the String Players Club that had been formed in 1905 by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor ... The members of the CSO come from all walks of life and are very welcoming to new players ... Anyone thinking of joining can come along to one or two rehearsals before committing any money, so there is no need to be shy!! String players are always welcome and wind and brass vacancies occur from time to time ... Our annual open rehearsals are especially designed for potential new members to come and “try us out”.’

‘We are a choir of about 40 voices ... We have an interesting and wide ranging repertoire, for example music by Handel, Bach, Mozart, John Rutter, Britten and Karl Jenkins. Classical pieces include choruses from Opera, Oratorios and Cantatas. We also perform lighter songs both in concert and for charity ... We are an all age choir (anyone aged 16 years or more is welcome) with choral members from a wide range of backgrounds ... There are no auditions; we just ask that you can sing in tune. Reading music is an advantage but not a necessity, as learning audio files are available for each voice part.‘

Founded 2008: ‘The Group is in essence a Symphonic Concert Band based in Croydon with an aim to give players an opportunity to play wind band music to a high level ... The repertoire is varied ranging from wind band classics and marches to classical, popular and modern compositions and arrangements and we aim to add new music to our library on a regular basis ... The Ensemble, as with most bands, does a few engagements a year to raise funds to buy new music and equipment such as percussion kit and banners’.

‘Two Teams of Handbell Ringers are based at All Saints' Church, Sanderstead, Surrey: The SAS Ringers; Sanderstead 2 O'Clock Bells. Both teams of bell ringers use four octaves of American Handbells and a 2 octave set of hand chimes ... and give performances locally at a variety of venues.’

‘Shirley Singers (formerly known as Springpark Choral Society) is a lively, friendly and welcoming choir. We sing music from the shows, light classical music and both traditional and modern carols at Christmas. There are no auditions ... We give two concerts a year ... Around the time of each concert we visit local care homes and entertain the residents with a shorter version of the concert. We may also take part in other local events.‘

‘We are an amateur orchestra based in Croydon ... The orchestra takes pride in offering a friendly welcome to all musicians of a suitable standard.  Competent sight reading skills are needed. No audition is required, but players are welcome to come along to a few rehearsals on a trial basis before they commit to being members ... The orchestra performs regularly in public several times a year.‘

‘Seeks to provide: * Opera to a high professional standard in Surrey, Sussex and Kent - at affordable prices; * Opportunities for young singers, directors and designers in the early stages of their careers; * The chance for young people to explore opera through workshops, collaboration and reduced ticket prices ... We stage two productions a year at a variety of venues ... We are always looking for experienced and enthusiastic chorus singers ... A short and simple audition is required. Chorus rehearsals, which are held in the Croydon area, take place on Monday evenings and also on Thursdays closer to productions.’

‘Croydon Minster has over 90 singers involved in four choirs. The Choir of Men & Boys, the Girls' Choir, the Choral Scholars and Lay Clerks sing five choral services each week, give regular concerts throughout the year, and have toured, broadcast and recorded. The church boasts a fine 4-manual organ by the celebrated 19th century organ-builder William Hill, and has a distinguished track record of sending young organists to Oxbridge and music colleges.‘

‘Fairfield Halls is south London’s largest arts centre. Following a multi-million-pound redevelopment Fairfield Halls will be at the heart of Croydon’s new cultural and education quarter. The venue houses a playhouse, concert hall, studio spaces, rehearsal rooms, restaurants, bars and business lounge. Offering a wide range of performances and facilities including classical performances, concerts, comedy, drama, community shows, conferences, weddings and events.’

‘As well as hosting concerts by external groups, St John’s runs an organ recital series and is the venue for many of the concerts of its partners, the London Mozart Players and the Central Band of the Royal British Legion. We also run a series of coffee concerts on the first Saturday of every month.’