Since we opened our doors in 1871, the Royal Albert Hall has been home to the world’s leading figures in music, dance, entertainment and conversation. From the Suffragettes to Stormzy, Elgar to Einstein, the Beatles to Bassey… icons grace our stage. A charity known and loved across the globe, we are home to dreams and determination, contemplation and celebration – bringing people together to lift their spirits and inspire.

However, not everyone can come to our world-renowned home, so our award-winning Engagement programme takes our work beyond our doors, bringing the extraordinary experiences of our stages to communities across London and beyond. 

Royal Albert Hall Songbook is the Hall’s flagship community Engagement programme. Established in 2013, Songbook is a free, interactive concert which explores the vast musical history of one of the world’s most iconic venues.

Musicians from the Royal Albert Hall visit a variety of community spaces that care for older people living in London and the Home Counties, including care homes, hospitals, day centres and hospices. During the one-hour concert, they lead participants on a nostalgic journey through the musical history of the Royal Albert Hall through songs, stories and audience participation. All participants receive a commemorative song book containing the lyrics to the music played and photos from the Hall’s archives.

“I can’t do much dancing nowadays, but music puts life in your body from [your head] to your toes.” Songbook participant.  

Your gift will help us to deliver over 100 Songbook concerts across the year, taking the magic of the Royal Albert Hall to those who can’t come to us.

With your help we will enrich lives through music. Thank you.