Rehearsals:

Rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening during term time, at St Andrew’s Church, Southview Drive, Westcliff, SS0 9PW from 7.30pm to 9.30pm (with a short break for refreshments and conversation).

Please remember to bring a pencil to rehearsals!

Terms for 2023 / 2024

Autumn Term: 5th September – 16th December (Concerts 25th November & 16th December)

Spring Term: 9th January – 20th April (Concert 16th March)

Summer Term: 23rd April – 13th July (Concert 13th July)

A rehearsal is also held on the afternoon of the concert at the concert venue. Timings are confirmed the week before the concert.

Subscription:

Currently subscription is £125 per year. This can be paid in one of four ways:

• Annual payment: £125
• Two payments: £62.50 in September and January
• Monthly payments: 12 monthly payments of £10.42 payable by Standing Order
• Term Payments: 3 term payments of £41.67 payable by Standing Order

As the Choir is a registered charity, if you are a UK tax-payer it will help the choir funds if you ‘Gift Aid’ this subscription. You do not have to pay any more tax yourself in order to do this.

Please see the Treasurer for further details.

New Members:

We are always pleased to welcome new members. If you know of anyone who is interested in singing and would like to try it out, please invite them to a few rehearsals to see how they get on.

Please note that due to child protection rules, young people under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult family member.

The Musical Director, Colin Edwards, does not usually carry out a formal audition for those who want to join, but may wish to check their voice to ensure they are placed within the correct section of the choir.

Uniform:

Concert dress is the same for the Autumn, Christmas and Spring Concerts – as follows:

Ladies:

• Plain Black shirt-style blouses (long sleeved); long black skirts (ankle length) or smart black trousers; black tights & black shoes; discreet jewellery; small black handbag.
• May sometimes be required to wear a white blouse (long sleeved).

Gentlemen:

• Black suit; white shirt; black bow tie; black shoes & black socks.

If we sing at other events/venues the uniform may be changed and you will be informed of this at rehearsal.

Attendance:

Health & Safety requirements imply we keep a register of attendance.

If you are unable to attend any rehearsals, please try to let someone know (preferably the person responsible for recording attendance).

Music Hire:

The Music Librarians sometimes hire music for our concerts. The full cost of the hire is paid by members. If you wish, you can use your own scores, provided they are compatible editions.

At Christmas we always use Carols for Choirs Books 1, 2 & 3. Choir members are encouraged  to purchase their own copies.

The music we sing is chosen by the committee and the Musical Director. If you would like to suggest music to perform, please put your suggestions in writing to the committee.