World's Oldest Choir, world record set by the St. John's House Choir in York, UK

January 29, 2025

York, United Kingdom--The St. John's House Choir in York, UK, which has an average age of 91 years and consists of 13 members (12 females, 1 male), who are all residents of the St. John's House Care Home in York, UK, sets the world record for being the World's Oldest Choir, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

Photos courtesy of Runwood Homes

"A British choir of 17 people with an average age of 94 was officially named the world's oldest choir by Guinness World Records," the UPI reports.

"The choir, dubbed the Prime Timers, was composed of 17 members ranging in age from 87 to 99 years old when they took to the stage for their Christmas concert Dec. 19.

"The concert at Crowne Plaza Hotel's Grand Ballroom also featured an appearance by singer Tony Christie, who joined the choir for performances of "Amarillo" and "Silent Night."

"The oldest choir is the St. John's House Choir (UK) which has an average age of 91 years and consists of 13 members (12 females, 1 male), who are all residents of the St. John's House Care Home in York, UK," the Guinness World Records says.

"The 13 members are: Elsie Margaret Arnold-Foster (86), Rita Bakes (89), Sylvia Burchell (88), Mary Dobbie (100), Irene Feist (97), Violet Marholdt (86), Margaret Nicholson (90), Hazel Pool (78), Rosalie Pinder (96), Grace Redford (97), Syd Shorter (93), Betty Spencer (93), Edna Sykes (86). Ruth Strangeway (UK) is the group's Choir Mistress."

"A choir with an average age of 94 have sung their way into the record books as they have been crowned the oldest in the world," the BBC reports.

"The Prime Timers, made up of 17 members from seven care homes in Warwickshire, broke the Guinness World Record during a Christmas carol concert in Stratford-upon-Avon on Thursday.

"The singers, aged between 87 and 99, were joined at the Crowne Plaza Hotel by Tony Christie and the show was hosted by actor Sian Reeves, who advocates for therapeutic use of music."

"A choir made up of 17 elderly care home residents has become the world’s oldest as members have an average age of 94,"The Independent reports.

"The choir, known as the Prime Timers, are aged between 87 and 99, and sang together at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, West Midlands, on Thursday to break the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the oldest choir in the world.

"The previous record was held by St John’s House in York, which broke the record in 2013 and was made up of 13 members with an average age of 91."

"A choir, whose members are between 87 and 99 years old, have officially made history after being named the "World’s Oldest Choir" by Guinness World Records," the ITV News reports.

"With an average age of 94, the "Prime Timers" sung their way into the history books. The group of 24 singers knocked St John’s House in York off their perch, after they last broke the record in 2013.

"Some of the residents had been singing for a while, others had just taken it up. All of the choir agreed that music had helped their mental health in later life."

"A 17-member choir, whose members are between 87 and 99 years old with an average age of 94, made history this December when they were crowned the World’s Oldest Choir by Guinness World Records. The choir, known as The Prime Timers, is made up of residents from seven care homes across the Runwood Homes group, located across Warwickshire. Their efforts came to fruition during a special Christmas carol concert at the Crowne Plaza Hotel’s Grand Ballroom in Stratford-upon-Avon," the official website says.

"The concert, which was part of the record-breaking event, featured traditional festive songs such as ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas.’ The choir also performed alongside Tony Christie, a renowned ambassador for Music for Dementia, in a moving rendition of ‘Silent Night.’ The evening also showcased the choir’s new Christmas song, ‘Christmas Through The Years,’ co-written by The Prime Timers and Intergenerational Music Making."