Information for Prospective Members
If you’re interested in joining please send us the following information:
- Name:
- Mobile:
- Email:
- Why you want to join the choir:
- Previous singing experience:
Send enquiries to: enquiries@globalvoices.org.nz
Rehearsals
Held weekly on Wednesday evenings from 7.30 – 9.30pm during school term time, at St Marks Church, St Vincents Place, off Opawa Road, Opawa. Prior to concerts/performances there may be additional rehearsals called at the Musical Director’s discretion. Prospective members are invited to attend 3-4 rehearsals before auditioning. Prior to your first rehearsal you will be asked to attend 10 – 15 minutes before the start of the rehearsal so the Musical Director can voice test you and place you in the appropriate section of the choir.
If you are interested in attending with the intention to join, send us the information outlined above, we will get back in touch with you.
Due to timing of concerts and school terms we usually audition new members at the start of the year (January/February) but occasionally there may be option to join throughout the year so please do get in touch at any time and we will let you know.
Auditions
The Musical Director will take the auditions after you have sung with us for 3—4 weeks. You will be provided with a piece of music that we have been singing during that time so that you may learn it. You will then be asked to sing after a rehearsal with 1 member from each section present. The section leader from your section will start to sing alongside you and then will stop singing to allow you to hold your part within the harmony of the other sections. You will not be expected to be able to sight read music. However you will be expected to sing in tune, hold your own part within the choir and learn music either by reading music or by listening to the learning tracks we have.
You will also need to be able to commit to regular attendance at rehearsals and will be expected to be present for the major annual concert that we hold towards the end of the year. This is so we are able to balance parts for the concert and have enough members in each section.
After your audition the Musical Director will contact you a few days later via email or phone call to let you know if you have passed the audition. All prospective members need to audition to be accepted into the choir.
Current Subscriptions
Payment is made on a term basis and each term costs $85. Fees are adjusted at the AGM at the start of each year.
Attendance
Choir members are expected to attend rehearsals punctually and regularly. It is understood that sometimes people need to take leave during term times however if this is a regular occurrence or if it happens leading up to a concert then you may be asked not to take part in the concert, and if attendance is sporadic then you may be asked to leave the choir.
Music
Once you have passed your audition you will be granted access to the Choir Google Docs that holds our repertoire music. You will be required to either print your own music out or some people use iPads to read the music. This music is NOT to be re distributed or used outside of Global Voices.
Within the Google Doc file we also have learning tracks for most songs, many with individual parts available for those people who learn by ear. There are some songs we do not have learning tracks for but we endeavour to find some if necessary.
As a prospective member you will be loaned printed music for the duration of the 3-4 rehearsals which must be returned at the end of each rehearsal.
Meetings
Global Voices Choir is a not for profit incorporated organisation. We hold choir meetings in the second week of school holidays and as many choir members as possible are expected to attend. During summer holidays we hold an AGM during the last week of the holidays. Dates will be communicated via email.
There is an elected committee and section leaders. This is reviewed at each AGM and each member must stand for re election. The Chair person and Treasurer cannot be in position for longer than 3 years, unless unanimously voted in again by the whole choir.
Current key personnel
• Musical Director: Deen Coulson
• Chairperson: Liz Mangan
• Treasurer: Lynette Winter
• New Member Coordinator: Linda Creed (enduiries@qlobalvoices.orq.nzl
Concerts
We hold one major concert annually – all choir members are expected to take part. Additional rehearsals may be required in the lead up to the concert – you will be notified of these well in advance.
All performances are expected to be “off book” – therefore all choir members must learn their parts to the ability to sing words and music without having the music in front of them.
Concert attire is black with Global Voices colours (orange, teal, purple) accessories/tops/ties etc (see pictures on the website). Prior to the concert new members will be given swatches of colours to check or will be asked to bring in clothing items to ensure they are the correct colour. If you do not have clothing that is the correct colour then black attire is fine and coloured scarves are provide by the choir. Concert attire will be explained thoroughly well in advance of the concert.
lntermittently we do smaller performances for the community e.g SingFest, Hohepa Community, Rest Homes etc. These are on a request only basis and we will always check that enough members are able to attend before agreeing to perform.
Residential weekend
Each year we hold a residential weekend where we go away for a weekend with a guest musical director to learn new music and have fun! This is not compulsory but is a great weekend to get to know your fellow choir members, to sing for the joy of singing and to learn new music which is often incorporated into our repertoire and sung at the following concert. The cost of the residential weekend varies but we attempt to keep it to a minimum where possible.
Fundraising
To support the choir costs we hold regular fundraising events which are often lots of fun and well attended. All good fundraising ideas welcomed.