Sing the music you love. Meet people you’ll actually want to see again.
A new popular music choir for Riga’s international community. No auditions, no experience, no sheet music, just great pop and rock, sung together, every Wednesday evening in central Riga.
- No audition
- No experience required
- No sheet music
- Adults 18+
- Wednesday evenings
- Central Riga
A different kind of choir
This is not a traditional choir
Latvia has one of the world’s great choral traditions, and Riga Popular Music Choir isn’t trying to compete with it. We offer something deliberately different: contemporary songs rather than a classical repertoire, relaxed participation rather than competition, and an English speaking international community rather than a closed local ensemble.
- Contemporary pop and rock songs
- No auditions, ever
- No sheet music requirement
- An international, English speaking community
- Professional musical leadership
- A relaxed, sociable atmosphere
Why people actually stay
Come for the music. Stay for the people.
Moving city, or country, can make building a genuine friendship circle surprisingly hard. Riga Popular Music Choir gives you a reason to meet the same group of people every single week, without the artificial atmosphere of a networking event. Music gives you something to do together. Friendship is what tends to follow.
The music
Songs you’ll actually want to sing
Great popular music from the 1970s through to today: anthems, power ballads, classic rock and modern pop. Repertoire changes over time; the names below are illustrative examples, not a guaranteed setlist.
What to expect
What happens at a rehearsal?
Arrival and catch up
Doors open ten minutes early. Grab a seat, say hello, most people know at least one face by their third week.
Vocal warm up
A short, professionally led warm up. No experience assumed, no wrong notes.
Learn by ear
We build songs section by section, by listening and repeating. No sheet music, no music theory required.
Put the harmonies together
Parts come together once everyone's comfortable with their own line.
Sing the full arrangement
The whole thing, together, properly, this is the part people come back for.
Finish on something big
We end on something high energy. Some people head off, plenty stay for a drink nearby.
Never sung before?
We built this choir for exactly that
What if I can't sing?
Most people who say this can sing perfectly well, they've just never had a relaxed place to try. We teach every part by ear, at a pace built for beginners.
What if I don't know my voice type?
You don't need to. Our music leader will help you find a comfortable part in your first few rehearsals, no prior knowledge assumed.
What if I come alone?
Most people do, at first. It's genuinely one of the easiest ways to meet people in Riga, precisely because everyone's there for the same reason.
What if English isn't my first language?
That's completely fine. Many members aren't native English speakers, the choir is built for an international community, not just native speakers.
Will I have to sing alone?
No. You'll always be singing as part of a group.
Do I need to read music?
No. We teach everything by ear.
Do I need to audition?
No, there is no audition to join.
Am I too old?
No. The choir welcomes adults of every age, 18 and up.
Behind the choir
A proven concept, brought to Riga
The team behind Riga Popular Music Choir previously created and developed the highly successful Edinburgh Popular Music Choir in Scotland, professionally led rehearsals, contemporary arrangements and a genuine social community, built over years of running an adult popular music choir. Riga Popular Music Choir brings that same proven concept to Riga’s international community.
Membership
Join the community
Membership is monthly, and covers scheduled weekly rehearsals through the choir season. Your first rehearsal is complimentary, no card required to try it.
Standard membership
- Weekly Wednesday rehearsals
- Professionally led warm ups & arrangements
- Access to performance & recording opportunities
- Social calendar across the season
Student membership
For full-time students aged 18+ with valid student ID.
- Everything in standard membership
- Same weekly rehearsals & social calendar
- Valid student ID checked when you join
Membership continues monthly until cancelled, with 30 days’ notice to cancel. Rehearsal fees are not refunded for sessions personally missed. Some social events carry a separate cost where a third-party venue or ticket is involved. Full membership terms are confirmed when you join.
A brand new choir
Be there at the beginning
Riga Popular Music Choir is genuinely new. Our founding members will help shape the choir’s personality, its traditions and the songs it becomes known for, from the very first rehearsal onward.
First rehearsal: Wednesday, 7 October 2026
18:00–19:30 · Blaumaņa iela 32, central Riga · 90 minutes · complimentary, registration required · no audition, no preparation, come as you are.
Location
Central Riga, easy to reach
Rehearsals take place at Blaumaņa iela 32, Rīga, LV-1011, a short walk from the city centre and Vecrīga (Old Riga), with convenient access from major public transport routes.
Reserve your place
Your complimentary first rehearsal
- 1Reserve your place below.
- 2Receive confirmation and arrival information by email.
- 3Come to your complimentary first rehearsal.
- 4If you love it, activate your membership.
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers
Is there an English speaking choir in Riga?
Yes. Riga Popular Music Choir rehearses every Wednesday evening in central Riga, in English, singing contemporary pop and rock. No audition, no experience needed.
Can foreigners join a choir in Riga?
Yes. Riga Popular Music Choir was built for Riga's international community. Embassy and consular staff and their families (from the British, American, German and other embassies), international professionals, students and long-term residents are all welcome, alongside English speaking Latvians.
Can Latvians join the English choir?
Absolutely. The choir operates in English, but anyone comfortable singing in English is welcome, whatever their nationality.
Is Riga Popular Music Choir suitable for beginners?
Yes. Complete beginners are genuinely welcome. We teach every song by ear, section by section, and nobody is ever asked to sing alone.
Do I need to audition for Riga Popular Music Choir?
No. There is no audition for any part of the choir.
Do I need to read music?
No. Songs are taught by listening and repetition. You never need to read sheet music to take part.
What songs does Riga Popular Music Choir sing?
Contemporary popular music: think Queen, ABBA, Coldplay, Adele, Fleetwood Mac and more. Repertoire changes over time; these are illustrative examples, not a fixed setlist.
How much does a choir in Riga cost?
Standard membership is €65 a month, or €49 a month with a valid student ID. Your first rehearsal is complimentary, with registration required in advance.
Where can I meet English speaking people in Riga?
Riga Popular Music Choir gives you the same group of people to meet every Wednesday evening, no small talk required, since you already have something to do together.
Are there social activities for expats in Riga through the choir?
Yes. Alongside weekly rehearsals, the choir programme includes social evenings, concerts and other activities across the season; see the calendar section on this page for examples.
Can international students join?
Yes, students aged 18 and over are welcome, and a discounted student rate applies with valid student identification.
Where does Riga Popular Music Choir rehearse?
At Blaumaņa iela 32, in central Riga.
What night does the choir rehearse?
Every Wednesday evening, 18:00 to 19:30.
Can I try the choir before joining?
Yes. Your first rehearsal is complimentary. Reserve your place in advance, as spaces are limited by rehearsal room capacity.
Do I have to perform?
Performance opportunities are a real part of membership, but joining the choir is not a professional performance contract. There is no requirement to take part in every public performance.
Can I miss a rehearsal?
Of course. Membership is monthly rather than tied to attending every single week; see the membership terms for full detail.
Do I have to sing alone?
No. You will never unexpectedly be asked to sing a solo part.
Can older adults join?
Yes. The choir is open to all adults aged 18 and over, whatever your age.
Do men and women join?
Yes, the choir welcomes adults of any gender.
When will Latvian and Russian language choirs launch?
The English language choir launches first, on Wednesday 7 October 2026. Latvian and Russian language choirs are planned for the future. Register your interest below and we'll be in touch when a date is confirmed.
More languages, coming soon
Latviešu koris · Русскоязычный хор
The English language choir launches first. Latvian and Russian language choirs are planned for the future. Register your interest below and we’ll email you the moment a date is confirmed.
Your Wednesday nights are about to get considerably better.
Wednesday, 7 October 2026 · 18:00 · central Riga · no audition, no experience required