 Next Concert |
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| Saturday 3rd May 2008, 7.30pm at Ferneham Hall, Fareham. |
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Featuring.... Mendelssohn Elijah Elijah is a much loved oratorio written by Felix Mendelssohn in 1846 for the Birmingham Festival. It depicts various events in the life of the Biblical prophet Elijah, taken from the books 1 Kings and 2 Kings in the Old Testament Tickets: £11.50, £10(concessions), £2.00 (children under 16) Available from: |
 General |
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Main |
| Members' Area |
| Links |
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Useful Information for Choir Members
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(Who's Who) (Voice Test) (Subscription) (Uniform) (Music Hire) (Concert Etiquette) (How can I help?) |
| Who's Who |
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President: Nigel Perrin Vice-President: John Bawden Musical Director: Colin Davey Officers Section Reps Membership Secretary: Graham Caulton |
| Voice Assessment |
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Information for new members and those returning to the choir after a break Once a term we set aside part of a Monday evening for voice assessments. We want the choir to be a community resource, but it's not possible to operate a completely open-door policy whilst maintaining a good musical standard and an adventurous programme, so we do have a basic musical requirement. The voice test is very straightforward and we're not trying to catch you out! If you would prefer to attend rehearsals for a term while you build up confidence and then attend a voice assessment session in the following term then that is fine but you will not be able to participate in a concert performance until after the assessment. On the assessment evening the rehearsal will start at 7.15pm and end at 8.50pm. Assessments will begin at 9pm and each one will only last 7 or 8 minutes. The only people present will be the musical director, the assistant conductor and the accompanist. The test consists of four components, all of which will be accompanied on the piano. 1. To sing up and down a scale. This will establish your vocal range. 2. a) To sing either the upper or lower of two notes, as directed, after two notes have been played simultaneously. b) To listen to a short tune that will be played twice, and then sing it as accurately as possible, unaccompanied. This tests your musical ear. 3. To sing an extract,(about a page), from an accompanied piece of your own choice. It could be a hymn, a popular song or a folksong, or something more complicated if you wish. If you can supply two copies of the music for this it will be helpful but it is not essential. This shows what your voice can do when you're singing something you know well. 4. To sing your own voice part (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) in a short, straightforward passage from something we rehearsed earlier in the evening. This shows whether you can hold a vocal line on your own. You will be told immediately whether or not you have passed. Most people pass. Occasionally we feel that an individual would benefit from a little more experience so we invite them to continue attending rehearsals and attend again on the next assessment date. Sometimes we feel it would be better if a person gains some experience in a choir performing less demanding pieces before they reconsider joining the FPC. Some choirs re-assess their singers every few years. Currently we do not. |
| Subscription |
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The subscription is reviewed at the AGM in September every year. It can be paid in cash or by cheque in September or, if preferred, by two cheques, one dated September and one January. Members who pay tax are encouraged to take advantage of Gift Aid and details can be obtained from the treasurer. Members joining during the year will be charged pro rata. The current subscription (2007-2008) is £70. On joining the choir you will also need to budget for items of uniform and concert equipment but there will be few expenses after that apart from music purchase or hire. |
| Uniform |
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Men Black evening suit Women Green uniform blouse (only available through FPC) Both Black music folder available from FPC Optional Polo shirts and sweatshirts in green or black, and fleeces in black, all bearing the FPC logo, are also available to purchase from time to time. Prices vary depending on the size of the order. Items of uniform purchased from the FPC will be bought back by the choir when you leave,with an appropriate reduction for wear and tear, as long as they are in good condition. Sometimes second-hand items are available. |
| Music Hire |
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Music for each concert is organised by our music librarians. There are three options. You may already own all or some of the music and you may use this as long as it is the same edition as that being used by the rest of the choir. You may hire all or part of the music from the choir. The cost of hire only covers the cost to the choir of hiring the music. You will be offered the opportunity to purchase all or some of the pieces, usually at a slightly lower cost than if you bought the music privately.You may choose any one or a combination of all these methods and you will be asked to state your preferences before each concert. |
| Concert Etiquette |
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We all work very hard in rehearsals to produce our best sound so it is important that we don't let ourselves down by behaving in an unprofessional way during our concerts. Here are a few ways in which we can all contribute to a successful concert. Arrive on time for both the afternoon rehearsal and the performance in the evening. |
| How can I help? |
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DISPLAY POSTERS! SELL TICKETS! Serve on the committee. Officers serve for up to four years and then must stand down. Section Reps serve three years. Many members of the choir have served on the committee at some point and interest from new members is always welcome. Offer to organise a social event or better still form a group to organise such events. Sign up to help on the coffee rota. Offer to help set up staging for concerts, when required, and stay behind for twenty minutes to help clear up afterwards. Encourage your family and friends to help with serving drinks and selling programmes at concerts. DISPLAY POSTERS! SELL TICKETS! |