The choir is always pleased to hear from singers who are interested in joining our ranks
From oratorio to swing, our repertoire covers works from the 16th century to the present day. We aim to sing a large-scale choral work such as a Bach Passion with an orchestral accompaniment at least once every two years. We perform a range of and other smaller scale works with organ or piano and we are currently offering a summer concert moving through the decade of the C20th and we are currently up to the 1940’s .
We rehearse every Wednesday between 7.30pm and 9.30pm from September to June at King’s School Chester. Because we rehearse on only one day a week, attendance at those rehearsals is very important. To qualify to sing in a concert, you will need to attend most rehearsals for that concert and a rehearsal on the day of the concert. It is important that you are able to commit to doing so.
The Choir has a basic programme of around four core concerts each year. We have plans to increase the number of corporate fund raising events. All members are expected to commit to singing in all our core concerts and to make themselves available for as many non-core events as possible. We also offer at least two workshops a year to which the choir are asked to attend and help support in order to raise funds for the choir.
Yes – it is necessary to pass an audition, with further re-auditions every three years to ensure that the Choir maintains a high standard. We hold auditions at various times throughout the year.
At your audition, you will be asked to sing a short, prepared piece (no more than 3 minutes long). Apart from length, there are no rules about your choice – it might be an extract from a choral work, a short aria, a folk song or anything else you feel comfortable singing. You may also be asked to sing scales or arpeggios and sight-read from a vocal score. Sight-reading needs to be of a good standard in order to cope with our demanding programme.
The Choir’s subscription costs £175 per year (although any difficulty with this would be viewed sympathetically) Young people joining the choir would be offered a subscription that suits their circumstances at the time. . Music can be bought through the Choir and hire copies are usually available free of charge from the Choir’s librarian.
For more information on joining Chester Bach Singers, please contact the Choir’s Membership Secretary by emailing joinus@chesterbachsingers.org.uk
Most seasons, we have around four core concerts in which everyone is expected to sing. In addition, we have workshops and other events, for which people are asked to sign up. All rehearsals should be attended unless illness prevents this. The Chair and MD committee are also willing to listen to any member who has any other issues that prevent them from taking part but as a small choir of just 40-43 members, it is important that all members show commitment.
A regular monthly donation to CBS, however small, will help support us and our chance to plan more live music. Get in touch by mailing chair@chesterbachsingers.org.uk
