Join Us

Come and Sing

If you ever fancied singing your heart out but weren't sure if you have what it takes, then why not come along to one of our rehearsals? It's a great way of experiencing the choir - and if you don't read music there are ways around it.

New members are welcome at any time. We would suggest that you come, initially, to two or three rehearsals to "try us out" and to see if the Society meets your expectations. You can either telephone the Society's Secretary, Ruth Pridmore, beforehand, Tel: 01423 530764, send us an email using our contact us form, or just turn up.

Quotes from Recent New Members

Paul Jackson, Bass “When I joined I hadn't sung in a choir since my school days and I was more than a little nervous. I needn't have worried, everyone was very welcoming and kind. It's a privilege to sing with nationally recognised professional orchestras and internationally renowned soloists. I hear names mentioned on the radio and it's still quite a thrill to think that we have performed with them, plus it's a great stress-buster. I often arrive at choir practice, straight from work, worn out, but leave a couple of hours later, feeling incredibly positive about life”
Sally Sharpe, First Soprano “I had no singing experience, so was very nervous, but I found it very friendly and supportive. Rehearsing once a week is great for uplifting your mood and de-stressing you, plus I enjoy the social side of things with the new friends I've met in the choir”

Ian Gardner, Bass “I was immediately made to feel very welcome, particularly by the singers around me. I was also struck by the style of the Music Director, Andrew Padmore, who brings a great deal of infectious energy and enthusiasm to the choir”

Rehearsals

We rehearse from the beginning of September until early June with breaks of about two weeks at Christmas and sometimes a week at Easter. There are normally four concerts a year, held in either the Royal Hall in Harrogate or Ripon Cathedral, although we have also sung in other venues.

We rehearse on Wednesday evenings from 7.30 to 9.30pm. Our rehearsal venue is Christ Church, Harrogate. The location of Christ Church is indicated on multi-map.

Music

Once you have decided you want to join you will be able to hire music for a nominal charge. Once you have given your name and address to the Secretary (by completing the registration form) you can then take the music home with you. If you later decide not to join, the hire fee will be refunded when you return the music.

Auditions

If you decide you would like to join the Society, the Secretary will arrange for you to be auditioned by the Music Director / Deputy Music Director. The audition will be as informal as possible but you should be prepared to sing a short passage of something you know (please bring the music with you!) in your voice part. This can be either a song, hymn or even an operatic aria! The Music Director will also ask you to sing up and down a scale as far as you can go, in order to assess the range of your voice and which voice section you should join. He/she will check your rhythm, ability to pitch a note and ask you to sight read a short passage of music. Although good sight-reading is helpful it is by no means essential. The most important thing is not whether you are capable of singing solos but whether you can sing in tune, can hold your part and will blend in.

Fees

The membership fees for the full 2011-2012 season are as follows:

• for members £88
• For husband and wife Members £158
• for junior Members £20

Alternatively, you might wish to consider becoming a Member Benefactor, fees for 2011-2012 are:

• for Member Benefactors £180
• for husband and wife Member Benefactors £324

(Patrons and Member Benefactors are each entitled to a season ticket, i.e. one ticket per concert for the whole season, plus other benefits)

Fees are payable once you have successfully auditioned.

Concert Dress

Following a recent consultation the concert dress for all concerts for ladies is a pair of smart formal full length black trousers worn with a long sleeved round necked plain black top. When we sing in Ripon Cathedral (in cold weather) ladies may wish to wear an additional warmer black layer. Ladies will also wear the choir scarf, details of which are available from the secretary.

Gentlemen are required to wear either evening dress or black trousers and a black jacket with white shirt and black bow tie.

Occasionally, for more informal concerts, ladies and gentlemen wear plain blouses and plain shirts, respectively, in a wide range of colours.