Based in North London, it was founded in 1984 by David Temple and John Gregson to sing Verdi’s Requiem at Hornsey Town Hall as part of the Crouch End Arts Festival. David has remained as music director ever since while John Gregson is now a patron.

Under David’s leadership and with around 150 singers on our books, we are proud to be known for our wide range of singing skills - from performing and recording traditional classical works to modern and specially-commissioned pieces.

Crouch End Festival Chorus promotes its own concerts at major venues such as the Barbican and Royal Festival Hall in London, while also celebrating its local roots with performances in Alexandra Palace Theatre and Highgate.

In 1997, the choir reached the Top Ten in the US Billboard Charts with its Cinema Choral Classics CD which led to international acclaim.

Crouch End Festival Chorus sang at the National Maritime Museum to welcome in the new Millennium with celebrated artists including Eurythmics, Bryan Ferry and Lesley Garrett.

Another landmark was in the 2001 when CEFC performed in Ennio Morricone’s first UK concerts and became his UK choir of choice until his final appearance in 2018.

In 2008, the chorus appeared at the Electric Proms with Oasis, cementing a successful recording and performance relationship with choir patron Noel Gallagher.

The choir's first appearance was in 2001 with the Kirov Orchestra and Valery Gergiev. A particular highlight included Mahler’s Eighth Symphony at the First Night of the Proms in 2010 which was preceded that summer by an appearance with Sir Ray Davies on the Glastonbury Pyramid Stage.

In 2022, the choir appeared once more on the First Night of the Proms, performing Verdi’s Requiem under Sakari Oramo.