Frequently asked questions
Questions are divided into two sections – new/prospective members and current members. If you can't find the information you're looking for here, get in touch via the 'Contact us' link above and we'll email you back with the answer.
For new and prospective members
Q: How do I join Note-Orious ?
A: If you would like to join the choir, send us an email via the 'Contact us' page (click on the button on the left). Unfortunately, there is a waiting list for female places, and a very short one for tenors, but if you are a bass, we would love you to join as soon as possible!
A: Not at all. If you can carry a tune and enjoy singing, you will fit right in. The emphasis at Note-Orious is on enthusiasm, enjoyment and community.
A: No! If the choir has places available (see above), get in touch and then just come along to a rehearsal.
A: The choir is not run for profit, and charges a subscription purely to cover its running costs. Each session currently costs around £4 (with roughly 12-15 sessions each term). You can come along and try out a choir session for free, but if you then decide you would like to join, you will be asked to pay for the whole term (or what's left of it) up front.
A: A mix of pop and rock songs and show tunes. In the last year we have sung songs by Rogers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Elbow, Queen, Snow Patrol, Scissor Sisters, Blur and ELO. All songs are suggested by members of the choir (see below). We also sing carols at Christmas, as well as some festive pop favourites.
Q: What happens at rehearsals?
A: First, there's a quick vocal warm-up, then we start work on one of the songs we're learning. We normally concentrate on two songs at each rehearsal, and finish by singing through a piece that's already in our repertoire. There's a ten-minute break in the middle of the session, and afterwards members of the choir congegrate downstairs in the pub for a drink – please join us!
A: Your music and name badge (if you have them yet), a pencil and some water.
A: No, don't worry. The choir sings in four parts –
bass (lower) and tenor (higher) for the men, and alto (lower) and
soprano (higher) for women. You may have an idea where your voice would
fit into that, so start by singing with that section. You should get a
good idea if you're in the right place from the vocal warm-up at
the start of the rehearsal. If you find you're struggling, just swap
around, or if you're really unsure, chat to Matt, our marvellous
Musical Director, and he will be able to reassure you.
For current choir members
Q: What is my subscription fee used for?
A: The choir's subs primarily pay for the hire of the rehearsal space, the musical director's or accompanist's fees and sheet music. The choir has a treasurer (Ranj) who files an annual financial report at the annual AGM if you want to see a further breakdown.
A: Every piece the choir sings has been suggested by one of our members. Once a term, Vicky (choir chairperson) and Matt (musical director) will sit down with all the song suggestions and begin sifting through them. When the choir was started up, its musical ethos was 'a fine line between cool and cheesy', so it's essential that any suggestion fits into that, as well as being suitable for a group of mixed voices. A balance also needs to be struck between using pieces that have four-part harmony sheet music already available, and arranging our own harmonies. If you would like to suggest a song, email Vicky.
A: The committee is elected each year at the AGM. All positions are currently filled but you will have a chance to stand for any of the roles (chairperson, manager, social secretary, fundraiser, treasurer and web manager) at the next AGM.