FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you're interested in joining our choir but have never sung with a choir before, fear not, we don't bite! We're a friendly and inclusive bunch. Some members would go as far as referring to Waterside as their 'choir family'. We promise to make you feel super-welcome.
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You may still have some burning questions before you take the plunge though, so we've pulled together some of our most frequently asked to give you a head start.
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Still not sure? Click below to get in touch.
Do I need to audition?
No audition, no worries. As a community choir we welcome everyone who has a passion for singing. Everything else you can learn along the way.
Is it essential that I be able to read music?
Again, that's a nope! You will be provided with digital copies of all of our scores via Dropbox, whether you use them purely for the lyrics, it helps you to notice if the notes are going up or down, or if you're a sight-reading expert.
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The good news is that we also provide, via Dropbox, rehearsal tracks for every piece. So, if learning by ear is your bag, we've got you covered.
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We don't have any expectation of musical experience. Everyone from novice to professional level is welcome. However, we're not a singalong choir - our arrangements are challenging but oh-so rewarding.
What if I don't like it?
We offer all new or potential members a free taster session, allowing you to come along to a rehearsal of your choice, risk free. If you don't like it, no problem, you never have to look upon our mugs again!
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We do hope, however, that you'll love it. If that's the case, Dave will have a chat with you afterwards about becoming a fully-fledged member.
Will I have to sing on my own?
The choice is yours! If the thought terrifies you and makes you want to run for the hills, let us reassure you that there is absolutely no pressure to take on solos. If you prefer to be a member of the choir and stick with ensemble singing, that's fine with us. We'd love to have you with us either way.
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However, if you love the limelight or are looking to develop your confidence and performance skills, you're equally welcome to dive in! Waterside Choir offers oodles of opportunities for solo performances, from a solo line in one of our numbers, to an entire solo performance at one of our autumn concerts. Simply have a chat with Dave about what you'd like to do and he'll do his best to support you. One thing's for sure, the rest of your choir colleagues will be enormously encouraging and the loudest cheers will tend to come from behind you!
What if I don't know what part to sing?
No problem, we're here to help. Simply check in with Dave, Heather or Mike at the beginning of rehearsal and they'll advise you where your vocal range lies. Both Dave and Heather are experienced singing teachers, so they're on hand to help.
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We sing in five-part harmony: Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Alto, Baritone and Bass. Soprano being the highest vocal range and Bass being the very bottom. Soprano, Mezzo and Alto tend to be our ladies sections, with Baritone and Bass being the gents. Whatever section you join, you're sure to make some fabulous friends!
How much does it cost?
Fees are charged monthly at £35 and include all rehearsals and music. Your taster session is free.
What's expected of me?
While we do our best to make sure your experience with us is a fun one, we do ask for a certain level of commitment from our members. Our musical director Dave is a genius with our arrangements, but they are known to be a bit tricky but rewarding. While, we learn at a pace that reflects that, we do ask that you put in the time at home to work on the pieces and we provide the resources to make this a breeze.
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We also hope that our members commit to participating in as many of our scheduled performances as possible to ensure adequate part coverage when we turn up. A shortage of singers in any one section leads to an unbalanced sound.
Do I need to purchase a uniform?
Waterside Choir doesn't have a strict uniform code for performances. Instead, we ask everyone to dress in blue or green to reflect our name and background inspired by our seaside home.
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This can be anything you already have at home in blue or green of any shade, but shouldn't feature a pattern containing any other colours i.e. bright pink and yellow flowers are out! Sorry.
Where and when are rehearsals?
Head over to our JOIN US page to find out more.