The choir welcomes applications from competent singers with sight-reading ability and a clear voice. New members will be invited to join a rehearsal at the beginning of a term followed by a short voice test with the conductor; a place in the choir is dependent on the outcome of this.
If you are interested in joining the choir please contact vicechair@newcastlebachchoir.org.uk.
Guidelines for Members is given below:
Rehearsal arrangements
Rehearsals are held on Monday nights in university term, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, in the King’s Hall, Armstrong Building, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU. Up to date information about rehearsals can be found on the choir website and will be included in newsletters. If a rehearsal is cancelled or relocated, we will let you know in advance by email.
Please arrive in good time to begin singing at 6.30pm. We welcome help setting up and clearing away. Mobile phones should be on silent. Other points to note:
- We have choir members of varying heights, so please be aware of sightlines and choose your seat so as not to block the view of those behind you. Please be prepared to move seats if asked.
- You are requested not to talk during rehearsals. It is disruptive and makes it hard for other singers to hear. Remember to bring a pencil to mark up your score.
- Regular attendance at rehearsals is essential, as is the allocation of time for ‘homework.’ If you miss more than two rehearsals in a term, you will need permission from the Music Director to take part in the concert.
- Please tick the attendance register each week and indicate in the final column whether you are singing in the concert. This is important for concert seating plans and for the programme.
New and returning members
Gill Clancy (Vice Chair) acts as first point of contact for new members and is happy to answer any questions. After the audition process is completed, the names of new choir members are added to the register. People returning after a long absence may be asked to re-audition, at the Music Director’s discretion.
Subscriptions
Subscriptions are payable annually and are currently £100 (students: £10). You will receive an invoice by email from the Treasurer and payment may be made by card, bank transfer, cheque or cash. The Treasurer is happy to speak in confidence with anyone having difficulty paying their subscription.
Music
The Librarian orders the music required for each concert. You will receive an email asking whether you require copies of each piece, and whether you wish to hire or buy. We encourage members to pay for scores online in advance - otherwise please bring the correct money to the first rehearsal. It is very important that hired music is returned immediately after the concert. Members losing or failing to return hired scores will be charged for the costs incurred.
Communication
Information about the choir is on the website www.newcastlebachchoir.org.uk. You will be given a login for the Members section of the site, where we post details about choir business and activities. Information is also sent out regularly by email. We have a Facebook page, plus a members’ Facebook group and an Instagram account @newcastlebachchoir. Please review and update your details in the Member Profile section at the beginning of each season.
Concerts
We usually sing three main concerts (typically November, March and June) and a Christmas concert. Members are encouraged to sing in all of these wherever possible. If you are not able to sing in a particular term, please notify the Membership Secretary.
Concert days
Please arrive in good time on concert day: you will be advised what time the choir is needed. Attendance at the pre-concert rehearsal is mandatory, unless you have cleared it with the Music Director. If you are missing this rehearsal, please inform the Concert Manager and ask someone to save you a space on the platform. If you are unable to sing on the day due to illness, please email the Chair or Membership Secretary.
Concert dress
This is normally:
- Women: long black dress, or black top with long black skirt or trousers, black tights, black shoes. Dress or top should preferably have sleeves at least elbow-length.
- Men: black open-necked shirt, black trousers, black socks, black shoes.
- Jewellery should be discreet.
- No scent/perfume please as this can adversely affect some singers.
- Black folders must be used to hold music during performances.
- Please do not bring bottled water into the concert, though this is fine at rehearsals.
Tickets are sold on the choir website and may also be available at rehearsals. Choir members are encouraged to do everything possible to promote concerts and sell tickets to their friends, family and contacts: this is the main way we attract audiences to our concerts. We encourage choir members to take and distribute posters and flyers and to share email and social media publicity.
Recording and photographs
Photography or making recordings during concerts is not allowed. If you take a photo in a rehearsal, and intend to post it on social media, please check that those identified are happy for you to do so.
Line representatives
Each voice part has one or two ‘line reps’ whose job is to help their section and liaise with the trustees. If you have a question, speak to your line rep in the rehearsal break.
The trustees (elected by choir members at the AGM every autumn) are responsible for running the choir and make the key decisions at regular meetings, sometimes also attended by line reps. The trustees are listed on the choir website. The Chair or Membership Secretary are happy to answer questions or give you a copy of our constitution.
Any choir member who has a suggestion about any aspect of the choir should speak to their line rep or a trustee. Decisions about repertoire are usually made by the Music Director, who is always glad to receive suggestions.
