Fareham Philharmonic Choir

                                 

Next Concert
Saturday 10th July, 7:30pm

Church of St Peter and St Paul
,
Osborn Road, Fareham.

FPChoir 2010



Available from:
- any member of the choir
- The Fareham Well, West Street, Fareham
- at the door on the night of the concert

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Useful Information for Choir Members

(Who's Who) (Voice Test) (Subscription) (Uniform) (Music Hire) (Concert Etiquette) (How can I help?)

Who's Who

President: Nigel Perrin

Musical Director:
Deputy Conductor:
Rehearsal Accompanist: Ian Richardson
Orchestral Secretary: Robin Thomas

Officers
Chair:
Treasurer:
Secretary:

Section Reps
Tenor: Ed Pearce
Bass: Paul Catcheside
1st Soprano: Linda Hollis
2nd Soprano: Jan Wilson
1st Alto: Jane McClelland
2nd Alto: Ann Gardner

Membership Secretary: Graham Caulton
Friends Scheme:
Music Librarian:
Concert Manager: Jonathon Winnicott
Programmes and posters: Michael White/Richard Smith

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Voice Assessment

Information for new members and those returning to the choir after a break

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 time while you build up confidence before attending a voice assessment session, that is fine but you will not be able to participate in a concert performance until after the assessment. 

Assessments will be arranged to take place in a private room during the rehearsals interval 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.   If you'd like to bring someone with you to the assessment to sing  your own piece with you, you are welcome to do so.  Don't worry - everyone is nervous!

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.

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Subscription

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 (2009-2010) is £75.

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.

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Uniform

Men

Black evening suit
White shirt with ordinary collar (no wings)
Black socks
Black shoes
Black bow tie. Occasionally an alternative colour will be used.

Women

Plain black top or blouse - long or mid-length sleeves
Ankle length black skirt or black trousers
Colour scarf (available from the choir for minimal fee)
Black tights
Black shoes (not sandals or open toed)
No Jewellery except one pair of plain ear studs and a single chain necklace if desired

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.

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Music Hire

Music for each concert is organised by our music librarian. 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 and is usually only £1 to £2 per piece.

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.

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Concert Etiquette

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.
Abide by the uniform rules. Skirt lengths, appropriate shoes and socks may seem trivial but they matter.
Don't take anything on stage except your music.
Watch the conductor and smile occasionally!

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How can I help?

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!

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