# Parliament Choir > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Parliament_Choir > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Parliament_Choir.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_Choir > Source revision: 1310839610 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) United Kingdom parliamentary choir Parliament Choir Choir The Parliament Choir performing at York Minster in 2009 Also known as UK Parliament Choir Choir of the UK Parliament Founded 2000 (2000) Founder Simon Over President Lindsay Hoyle (since 2019) John McFall (since 2021) Music director Simon Over Leadership Mike German (chair) Hugh Merrill (vice-chair) Bernard Jenkin (vice-chair) Mary Macleod (vice-chair) Judith Jolly (treasurer) Choirmaster Nicholas O'Neill Headquarters Palace of Westminster Rehearsal space Chapel of St Mary Undercroft Affiliation Southbank Sinfonia BT Group Website Official website The **Parliament Choir**, also known as the **UK Parliament Choir** and the **Choir of the UK Parliament**, is the [choir](/source/Choir) of the [Parliament of the United Kingdom](/source/Parliament_of_the_United_Kingdom). Founded by [Simon Over](/source/Simon_Over) with the support of [Geoffrey Filkin, Baron Filkin](/source/Geoffrey_Filkin%2C_Baron_Filkin) in December 2000, it is made up of members of the [House of Commons](/source/House_of_Commons_of_the_United_Kingdom) and the [House of Lords](/source/House_of_Lords) and staff who work at Parliament. ## Founding The Parliament Choir, also known as the UK Parliament Choir[1][2] and the Choir of the UK Parliament,[3] was founded in December 2000 by composer [Simon Over](/source/Simon_Over) with the support of [Geoffrey Filkin, Baron Filkin](/source/Geoffrey_Filkin%2C_Baron_Filkin).[4][5] Over had run a [choral society](/source/Choral_society) at [Westminster Abbey](/source/Westminster_Abbey) whose members included serving parliamentarians in the [House of Commons](/source/House_of_Commons_of_the_United_Kingdom) and the [House of Lords](/source/House_of_Lords).[6] These parliamentarians were often unable to attend rehearsals because of voting commitments and the late hours of parliamentary business.[6] Over discussed the issue with Filkin who proposed establishing a choir in Parliament to address the issue.[7][8] Over then set up a choir in the [Palace of Westminster](/source/Palace_of_Westminster), the Parliament Choir, which enabled parliamentarians to attend votes at short notice with the sounding of the [division bell](/source/Division_bell) during rehearsals, returning to rehearse shortly after the vote had concluded.[6] The choir performed for the first time in December 2000.[8] ## Organisation [Simon Over](/source/Simon_Over) directing the Parliament Choir during a performance in 2009 The Parliament Choir was initially organised as an [all-party parliamentary group](/source/All-party_parliamentary_group) within Parliament.[9] As such, the choir could only rehearse when Parliament was in session.[10] Since its early years, it has been sponsored by [BT Group](/source/BT_Group), which gives it around £60,000 or £65,000 to maintain the choir every year.[4][11][12] The choir's internal relationship with Parliament was changed in 2017, after it had to cancel a concert when it was unexpectedly dissolved as part of the [dissolution of Parliament](/source/Dissolution_of_parliament) for the snap [2017 general election](/source/2017_United_Kingdom_general_election).[6] It is now an [autonomous body](/source/Autonomy) of Parliament under the [patronage](/source/Patronage) of the [Speaker of the House of Commons](/source/Speaker_of_the_House_of_Commons_(United_Kingdom)) ([Lindsay Hoyle](/source/Lindsay_Hoyle) since 2019) and the [Lord Speaker of the House of Lords](/source/Lord_Speaker_of_the_House_of_Lords) ([John McFall, Baron McFall of Alcluith](/source/John_McFall%2C_Baron_McFall_of_Alcluith) since 2021) who serve as its co-presidents.[8][3] The Parliament Choir is legally organised as a [registered charity](/source/Registered_charity) and a [company limited by guarantee](/source/Company_limited_by_guarantee).[9][13] It is managed by a [board of trustees](/source/Board_of_trustees) which is led by a chair and also includes three vice-chairs and a treasurer.[14][15] [Mike German, Baron German](/source/Mike_German%2C_Baron_German) is the chair of the choir. [Hugh Merrill](/source/Hugh_Merrill), [Bernard Jenkin](/source/Bernard_Jenkin) and [Mary Macleod](/source/Mary_Macleod) are the vice-chairs. [Judith Jolly, Baroness Jolly](/source/Judith_Jolly%2C_Baroness_Jolly) is the treasurer.[14] Other trustees include [Oliver Heald](/source/Oliver_Heald), [Sue Hayman, Baroness Hayman of Ullock](/source/Sue_Hayman%2C_Baroness_Hayman_of_Ullock) and [Michael Prisk](/source/Michael_Prisk).[15] The choir also has a music team which includes Simon Over as music director and [Nicholas O'Neill](/source/Nicholas_O'Neill_(composer)) as choirmaster and composer in residence.[14] [Southbank Sinfonia](/source/Southbank_Sinfonia) serves as the choir's resident orchestra; the orchestra was also founded by Simon Over in 2002.[10] ## Membership Since its founding, the choir has upheld a policy of keeping its membership open to anyone who has a [parliamentary pass](/source/UK_Parliament) or works in the Palace of Westminster; membership is open to all parliamentary staff including police and security personnel, caterers and transcribers for *[Hansard](/source/Hansard)*, as well as to journalists with access to the [press gallery](/source/Press_gallery) and parliamentarians from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, including senior [government ministers](/source/Government_of_the_United_Kingdom).[8][6][16] [Members of Parliament](/source/Member_of_Parliament_(United_Kingdom)) (MPs) have also invited their constituents to join the choir.[4] [Auditions](/source/Audition) are not required to join the choir; anyone who wishes to join may do so.[5] However, there is a membership fee ranging from £60 to £120 depending on members' salaries.[11] Membership is cross-party and its members have included [Conservative](/source/Conservative_Party_(UK)), [Labour](/source/Labour_Party_(UK)) and [Liberal Democrat](/source/Liberal_Democrats_(UK)) politicians.[8] ### Lords The following Lords or former Lords have been members of the Parliament Choir at some point during their careers.[6][10][8][17][11][16][5] - [Alastair Bruce, 5th Baron Aberdare](/source/Alastair_Bruce%2C_5th_Baron_Aberdare) - [Robin Bridgeman, 3rd Viscount Bridgeman](/source/Robin_Bridgeman%2C_3rd_Viscount_Bridgeman) - [Mike German, Baron German](/source/Mike_German%2C_Baron_German) - [Geoffrey Filkin, Baron Filkin](/source/Geoffrey_Filkin%2C_Baron_Filkin) - [Simon Arthur, 4th Baron Glenarthur](/source/Simon_Arthur%2C_4th_Baron_Glenarthur) - [Sue Hayman, Baroness Hayman of Ullock](/source/Sue_Hayman%2C_Baroness_Hayman_of_Ullock) - [Judith Jolly, Baroness Jolly](/source/Judith_Jolly%2C_Baroness_Jolly) - [David Lea, Baron Lea of Crondall](/source/David_Lea%2C_Baron_Lea_of_Crondall) - [Genista McIntosh, Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall](/source/Genista_McIntosh%2C_Baroness_McIntosh_of_Hudnall) - [Wilf Stevenson, Baron Stevenson of Balmacara](/source/Wilf_Stevenson%2C_Baron_Stevenson_of_Balmacara) - [Martin Thomas, Baron Thomas of Gresford](/source/Martin_Thomas%2C_Baron_Thomas_of_Gresford) - [William Wallace, Baron Wallace of Saltaire](/source/William_Wallace%2C_Baron_Wallace_of_Saltaire) - [Joan Walmsley, Baroness Walmsley](/source/Joan_Walmsley%2C_Baroness_Walmsley) - [Patricia Hollis, Baroness Hollis of Heigham](/source/Patricia_Hollis%2C_Baroness_Hollis_of_Heigham) - [Jean Corston, Baroness Corston](/source/Jean_Corston%2C_Baroness_Corston) - [Paul Strasburger, Baron Strasburger](/source/Paul_Strasburger%2C_Baron_Strasburger) ### MPs [Nick Clegg](/source/Nick_Clegg), [Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom](/source/Deputy_Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom) (2010–2015) [Ed Miliband](/source/Ed_Miliband), [Leader of the Opposition](/source/Leader_of_the_Opposition_(United_Kingdom)) (2010–2015) [John Bercow](/source/John_Bercow), [Speaker of the House of Commons](/source/Speaker_of_the_House_of_Commons_(United_Kingdom)) (2009–2019) [Alun Michael](/source/Alun_Michael), [First Secretary of Wales](/source/First_Secretary_of_Wales) (1999–2000) The following MPs or former MPs have been members of the Parliament Choir at some point during their careers.[6][10][8][17][11][16][5] - [Alun Michael](/source/Alun_Michael) - [David Lammy](/source/David_Lammy) - [Bernard Jenkin](/source/Bernard_Jenkin)[18] - [Helen Jackson](/source/Helen_Jackson_(politician)) - [Jeremy Lefroy](/source/Jeremy_Lefroy) - [David Lidington](/source/David_Lidington) - [Mary Macleod](/source/Mary_Macleod) - [David Madel](/source/David_Madel) - [Fiona Mactaggart](/source/Fiona_Mactaggart) - [Mark Prisk](/source/Mark_Prisk) - [Caroline Spelman](/source/Caroline_Spelman) - [Alan Beith](/source/Alan_Beith) - [Robert Jackson](/source/Robert_Jackson_(Wantage_MP)) - [Sarah Teather](/source/Sarah_Teather) - [Ed Miliband](/source/Ed_Miliband) - [Nick Clegg](/source/Nick_Clegg) - [John Bercow](/source/John_Bercow) ### Others The following notable individuals have also been members of the Parliament Choir but have never served as MPs or Lords. - [David Leakey](/source/David_Leakey)[11][19] - [Alan Moses](/source/Alan_Moses)[20][21] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** November, Nancy (25 August 2020). [*Performing History: Approaches to History Across Musicology*](https://books.google.com/books?id=DXf1DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT138). Academic Studies Press. p. 138. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-64469-446-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-64469-446-6). Retrieved 8 June 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["The UK Parliament Choir"](https://twitter.com/parliamentchoir). *X (formerly known as Twitter)*. Retrieved 9 June 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_3-1) ["About the Parliament Choir"](https://www.parliamentchoir.org.uk/dbpage.php?pg=about). *Parliament Choir*. Retrieved 9 June 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_4-2) Dunnett, Roderic (3 December 2004). ["Parliament Choir/Southbank Sinfonia, Westminster Cathedral, London"](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/parliament-choir-southbank-sinfonia-westminster-cathedral-london-22885.html). *The Independent*. Retrieved 9 June 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:2_5-3) Sweeting, Adam (5 April 2012). ["The Parliament Choir: cross-party harmony in the House"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalmusic/9186785/The-Parliament-Choir-cross-party-harmony-in-the-House.html). *The Telegraph*. Retrieved 9 June 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:3_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:3_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:3_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:3_6-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-:3_6-6) Mead, Rebecca (4 November 2019). ["In Brexit Britain, the Parliament Choir is in purgatory"](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/11/11/in-brexit-britain-the-parliament-choir-is-in-purgatory). *The New Yorker*. Retrieved 9 June 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["The Full Works Concert"](https://www.classicfm.com/radio/shows-presenters/full-works-concert/21-january-2014/). *Classic FM*. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:4_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:4_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:4_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:4_8-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:4_8-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:4_8-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-:4_8-6) Dawson, Sally (22 December 2021). ["Harmony in the House: the Parliament Choir"](https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/harmony-in-the-house-the-parliament-choir). *PoliticsHome: The House*. Retrieved 9 June 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:5_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:5_9-1) Committee, Great Britain: Parliament: Merits of Statutory Instruments (7 June 2005). [*5th Report of Session 2005-06*](https://books.google.com/books?id=7fAkUxzIO0EC&pg=PA15). The Stationery Office. p. 15. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-10-485046-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-10-485046-6). Retrieved 9 June 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:6_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:6_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:6_10-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:6_10-3) Hurst, Greg (4 March 2005). ["All parties in political harmony"](https://www.thetimes.com/article/all-parties-in-political-harmony-kp0p05v5f5w). *The Sunday Times*. Retrieved 9 June 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:9_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:9_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:9_11-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:9_11-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:9_11-4) Fisher, Neil (15 November 2011). ["Behind the scenes at the Parliament Choir"](https://www.thetimes.com/article/behind-the-scenes-at-the-parliament-choir-rsdnmgz3rgq). *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*. Retrieved 14 June 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Ball, James (31 May 2013). ["Patrick Mercer resignation puts spotlight on lobbying"](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/may/31/patrick-mercer-resignation-spotlight-lobbying). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 14 June 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["The Parliament Choir: Harmony in Westminster"](https://www.parliamentchoir.org.uk/). *The Parliament Choir*. Retrieved 9 June 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:7_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:7_14-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:7_14-2) ["Board of Trustees"](https://www.parliamentchoir.org.uk/dbpage.php?pg=officers). *Parliament Choir*. Retrieved 9 June 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:8_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:8_15-1) ["THE PARLIAMENT CHOIR: Charity number: 1085042"](https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3977137/trustees). *Charity Commission for England and Wales*. Retrieved 9 June 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:11_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:11_16-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:11_16-2) ["Political Harmony: Inside the Parliament Choir"](https://www.classical-music.com/articles/political-harmony-inside-parliament-choir). *Classical Music: BBC Music Magazine*. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:10_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:10_17-1) ["Parliamentarians"](https://www.parliamentchoir.org.uk/dbpage.php?pg=parliamentarians). *Parliament Choir*. Retrieved 14 June 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["VE Day 2025: All the celebrations that marked the 80th anniversary"](https://news.sky.com/story/ve-day-2025-what-are-the-four-day-celebrations-to-mark-80th-anniversary-13344461). *Sky News*. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 17 July 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Cooper, John (7 July 2017). ["Sacred Music and St Stephen's: Listening to Ludford"](https://www.virtualststephens.org.uk/blog/sacred-music-and-st-stephen%E2%80%99s-listening-ludford). *St Stephen's Chapel, Westminster*. Retrieved 3 August 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["BBC Radio 3: Private Passions"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05wynls). *BBC Radio 3*. 31 May 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Programme Information"](https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/proginfo/search?medium=radio-and-sounds&week=22&year=2015). *BBC*. August 2024. Private Passions. Retrieved 3 August 2024. ## External links - [Parliament Choir website](https://www.parliamentchoir.org.uk/) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Parliament Choir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_Choir) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_Choir?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.