New Members

We tend not to spend much time learning notes in rehearsals, and move quickly on to singing technique, dynamics and interpretation. However, ‘note bashing’ at home, either using a piano or a rehearsal track, makes for rapid progress and ensures that all members of the chorus can sing with confidence and begin to address the more technical aspects of singing to the very high standard we expect.

Preparation

• Get to know the score. Are there solo parts, does a particular voice part stop at any point, does the music divide at any point? Go through and make sure you know exactly which line you should be on, and mark where it isn’t clear.
• Clearly mark repeats and where they go back to a previous page; use a tab to easily find it.
• Have a look at where your note comes from for a new entry and join it to yours.
• Put tabs in for different sections of the piece to make them easier to find.
• Use paper clips to close off any sections that are going to be missed out.

During rehearsals

• Always bring a pencil. It is important to mark your score during a rehearsal,  and especially to record all the points provided by the Music Director.
• Mark all breaths.
• For staggered breathing take a whole beat out to take a proper breath. Mark where you are going to take it so you do it in the same place each time. This will help with learning.
• Make a note of any section that needs a little more work. Don’t rely on your memory.

At home

• Focus on the sections that you find difficult. Don’t try and get through it all every time, focus on small chunks and learn them well.
• Use rehearsal tracks (see below), a piano, or even your old descant recorder for the sections that need extra work.
• Read through the text in rhythm, especially for fast sections and when singing in a foreign language. This is just as important as learning the notes.
• It is very important to listen to a recording of the work; it will give you a good idea of the piece as a whole. You can use your score to help you sing along, or just listen to it as frequently as you can. You will find recordings of most classical works on YouTube or try the music streaming service Spotify.

Rehearsal tracks

Rehearsal tracks are designed to help you learn your voice part by listening to it in isolation and/or with the other voice parts in the background. Some are based on recorded singers and therefore include the words, while others feature the voice parts played on an instrument, so of course there are no words.

• You can purchase rehearsal tracks from Choraline, at choraline.com. These are great if you prefer to hear a recording of your voice part but they aren’t free. It costs £8.99 for a download, or £12.99 for a CD.  The Chorus has a discount that you can take advantage of once you become a member.
• For just notes (no words) you could try:
  • Choralia, for listening to, or downloading, mp3 files of your voice part; http://www.choralia.net/mp3catalogue.htm.
  • John Fletcher’s site, which uses a clarinet to emphasis the voice part you select. Registration is free for works that are out of copyright; https://johnfletchermusic.org.
  • Cyberbass, which has a huge catalogue and is free to use online; http://www.cyberbass.com.
  • Learn Choral Music, which provides free Midi files; http://www.learnchoralmusic.co.uk.

The National Youth Choirs of Great Britain have produced a free online musicianship course to help singers improve their skills in rhythm, tonal centering, and intervals. The course is designed for young people but is just as applicable to older singers. Some of the video lesssons have worksheets or resources – find them at www.nycgb.org.uk/musicianship

I used to sing a bit. I learned to read music at school but haven’t done much for years. I don’t think I’d be good enough now to cope. Read more

Rehearsing with a very large choir can be exciting and exhilarating – but can be a bit daunting too, especially if you’re new to the experience! Here are some points to bear in mind:

• You may be singing for the first time a piece that the choir are already familiar with. To some this will not be an issue but to many this can be a daunting experience which should not deter you — it is worth persevering! With practice at home, within a couple of weeks you’ll find yourself singing the piece around the house (often without realising!).Our music can be challenging and even our existing members find a new piece difficult at first.
• You need to be familiar with music well enough to follow your voice part and to recognise the length of notes and the rhythm. You also need to be familiar with basic instructions and dynamics, e.g., cres, mf, etc., although less familiar terms are explained.
• Experience in choral singing and an ability to sight-read will be a big help – though sight singing is not tested in auditions. Your skills in this area will improve over time with regular singing, and listening to the voices around you will help you tremendously. Do not worry if you feel that you are weak in this area as you can make up for it by practising at home – and you skills will improve over time. Discuss it at your audition and you will be advised accordingly. We provide links to websites that publish rehearsal tracks, and hold workshops to help people improve their technique.
• If you’ve been trying us out, remember that you will need to audition before you are able to sing in concerts.
• A high level of commitment is required because of the very high standard of performance we aim for. We expect members to commit to each of our planned concerts, and to attend every rehearsal, where possible. Of course anyone can fall ill or experience pressing family or work issues etc, but we tend not to allow members to sing in concerts if their attendance has fallen to unacceptable levels eg below 75%. Members must also attend the Conductor’s piano rehearsal and the orchestral rehearsal on the day of the concert. You will need to attend from 7pm to 9pm each Tuesday, and sometimes stay until 9.15pm.
• On concert days members are usually required at the City Hall from 2pm for a two hour orchestral rehearsal, then again from 6.30pm until the end of the concert. When singing with the Halle, there is sometimes a compulsory rehearsal in Manchester on an evening of the week before the concert; coach transport is provided, paid for from Chorus funds.
• Visiting other venues requires longer hours and rehearsals are occasionally conducted at these venues. Members are advised several months in advance of all rehearsals and concerts so that arrangements can be made. Travel to venues outside of Sheffield is provided, free of charge.

Rehearsal details

We rehearse on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9pm, from September through to July, at King Edward VII Upper School, Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2PW.  Follow this link to the school’s website.

Commitment required

You will need to attend from 7pm to 9pm each Tuesday, and sometimes stay until 9.15pm. Our Music Director, Darius Battiwalla, expects a very high level of commitment, which is reflected in our Chorus Rules, which you’ll be sent if you decide to try us out. Members need to commit to all our planned concerts, and to attend every rehearsal where possible. Of course anyone can fall ill or experience pressing family or work issues etc, but we ask that all members try their very best to attend every rehearsal. Darius prefers full attendance even for people who are unable to sing in a particular concert, as it makes sure that all singers receive the benefit of the training provided on a weekly basis. We don’t allow members to sing in concerts if their attendance has fallen to unacceptable levels. Darius exercises some discretion in this respect, but not for attendances below 75%. Members must also attend the conductor’s piano rehearsal (usually the week before the concert, but sometimes the day before, and occasionally in Manchester) as well as the orchestral rehearsal on the day of the concert.

Access by car – There is car parking on site and one vehicle access point, from Glossop Road. The site is gated, and the gates open (or close on exit) as the vehicle approaches, as long as it is centrally positioned.

The school operates as a Language College on Tuesday evenings, so there will be competition for places. Early arrivals should be OK; places for non-disabled drivers cannot be guaranteed unfortunately. There is substantial street parking on Clarkhouse Rd. and other streets nearby after 6.30. Disabled access using ramps and a lift is from the town end of the site off Glossop Rd.

Access on foot / by Bus – There are pedestrian gates at the Glossop Road and the Newbould Lane entrances. The gates are open until 10pm; they might need a good push!

There are numerous bus services stopping at the bus stops on the roads surrounding the school (Glossop Road, Newbould Lane and Clarkhouse Rd) and a lot of services. For details of bus routes, please go to: www.travelsouthyorkshire.com.

Emergency evacuation – On hearing the fire alarm, vacate the building via the nearest exit – this is likely to be via the front door and down the steps.  Do not use the lists. Assemble on the tennis courts in front of the main building. If you discover a fire, press the nearest alarm, which causes the emergency services to attend immediately.