To join the church choir …

Joining a choir is one thing but I find it odd that someone would be a reader and on the pcc whilst being an atheist.

Semi-professional or 'visiting choirs' are very different from 'resident' choirs.

So whilst you aren't wrong about the choirs in your own settings, it's also true that churches with their own choir (many 'normal' churches) will expect you there for rehearsals and weekly services.

From one Atheist church choir member to another - I don't shout about my lack of any belief, so if people make an incorrect assumption about me I'm not going to rush to correct them.
Enjoy your singing - we're crying out for extra members, so unless you are presenting with horns and a forked tail I expect you'll be welcomed with open arms.
I'm also a reader and have been co-opted onto the PCC... Still definitely an Atheist 🤣.
Most church choirs now are one practice and one service a week, with a monthly choral evensong if you are lucky.

Missed the update - that’s great! I’m sure you’ll love it!

As a parent of former choristers, there’s plenty of non- believers in the choir. You could just go up for a blessing when it comes to communion.

But do check out the workload that’s expected - adults in DCs’ choir used to sing three services on a Sunday, plus there’s choir practice one night a week. They did get to go to the pub after practice, so there’s that…

Ah well done you @Adarajames Hope you you continue to enjoy it.

In the 400th anniversary year of his death I think the thoughts of William Byrd, one of the finest composers of church (and other) music,on singing are as relevant today as they were in 1588 when he published a book of Psalms, Sonnets and Songs.

“The exercise of singing is delightful to nature, and good to preserve the health of man.”
and
“Since singing is so good a thing,
I wish all men would learn to sing.”

His top lines were often sung by women so don't be put off by the less inclusive language. It was the 16th century!

I did exactly the same thing for the same reasons a few years ago and was very welcome. I will warn you though that now I am also on the church PCC, trying to help recruit a vicar, on the cleaning committee and...am quite religious! They get you in the end :)

Sorry, that was aimed at those saying that church choir members have to be there several times a week and are expected at different events etc. Not sure why the quoting didn’t work!

OP I’m glad you enjoyed the experience and have found a choir it seems you will get on well with.

Sorry, but I’ve been heavily involved in Anglican churches with choirs for years, and you’re wrong. Very few churches with volunteer or semiprofessional choirs expect any more from them than one or at most two services on a Sunday, and then the really big festivals (Holy Week, Easter, Christmas). And they get a least a month off in the summer.

And while its nice if they do, nobody expects choir members to be some sort of exemplar Christian and turn up to anything where the choir isn’t singing. And it’s up to individual
choir members what they do at Communion: come up and receive, come up for a blessing, or remain quietly in their seat. And nobody quizzes them on their faith. I’ve also known Sikh members of church choirs.

When I was attending a church as a child, the choir would only be there for some of the services, special celebrations etc.
That's unusual. Were they possibly not the actual church choir but just a visiting lay choir and your church didn't have a full one? The church choir are expected at every service. Including additional mid-week ones on holy days. My parents have to give lots of notice that they won't be singing Midnight Mass this year as they are coming to us. They are covering Nine Lessons and Carols and then driving 5 hours to us leaving about 9pm. It is a commitment.

When I was attending a church as a child, the choir would only be there for some of the services, special celebrations etc.
That's unusual. Were they possibly not the actual church choir but just a visiting lay choir and your church didn't have a full one? The church choir are expected at every service. Including additional mid-week ones on holy days. My parents have to give lots of notice that they won't be singing Midnight Mass this year as they are coming to us. They are covering Nine Lessons and Carols and then driving 5 hours to us leaving about 9pm. It is a commitment.

You'd probably be expected to go with the choir for a blessing during communion for the sake of optics as much as anything else. But you don't have to do or say anything and, if you don't believe then it's not really a problem.

That's a really minor point compared with the enjoyment you'll get from singing and being part of a choir.

A church choir would normally be ‘working’ at every Sunday service. I’ve not encountered another system where they only do special occasions. My experience isn’t extensive though, I guess 🤣

I meant to be expected to attend services on other occasions as part of general congregation. When I was attending a church as a child, the choir would only be there for some of the services, special celebrations etc.

One of the keenest church choir members I know is a Sikh. Doesn't seem to bother anyone.

I’m sure it wouldn’t matter if you stayed seated, but you can go up for a blessing, as can anyone who isn’t confirmed. Clasped hands, head down. When we play during Evensong, we stay seated, not even standing when the congregation do, presumably because our music stands might fall over! I do join in the responses, which are printed, so as to not seem churlish.

You would probably have to go up for communion, but it's between you and the priest/vicar whether you actually take communion or if you just kneel and stand up.

You'd be very welcome in ours too. And to go for a blessing during communion. If you didn't want to even do that you would be fine to stay in your seat although you'd probably be in the way as the choir file out on end of the stall and back in the other.

Singing at services is the reason church choirs exist, so attending services would usually be expected. However nobody is going to interrogate you on your beliefs.

I have done this loads of times.

My FIL was a church organist and an atheist.

I sing in a non-church choir which rehearses in a church (and occasionally helps out with big services). We sing a lot of liturgical/religious pieces because they provide some of the most beautiful choral music out there. I’ve also sung in a church choir. I hover between agnostic and atheist. You’ll be fine!

You automatically attend services as part of a church choir. What else are they singing for?

I’m every church choir I’ve encountered they’ve been so delighted to have a musical person show an interest they wouldn’t be fussy about anything else!