Rehearsals, Concerts and Events
There are just under 100 singers who regularly enjoy making music under the watchful eye (and baton) of our Musical Director, Keith Motson. We are always looking to increase our membership, so if you have been watching the BBC “The Choir – Unsung Town” programme, and would like to come and make some music – come along to a rehearsal and get to know us.
Did you know that singing in a choir is good for your health according to research from Sweden? The study showed that singing in a group increased positive emotions, decreased negative ones, and left participants happier, more alert and relaxed. It improves posture and exercises your abdominal muscles too. Not only that, it is much more fun than going to the gym.
Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings from 8.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. in Squirrels Heath Junior School, Gidea Park. They can sometimes be challenging, and involve ‘note bashing’ when learning a new piece of music, but will always be enjoyable. The rehearsals are aimed at ensuring that members of all abilities gain from the evening and feel the buzz of improving their singing skills.
There is much to learn about a piece of music and Keith Motson sets high standards for every performance so we do expect members to attend as many rehearsals as possible, particularly the three leading up to a performance and the mandatory rehearsal on the afternoon of the concert.
We have a dress code for the concert performances which is black top and long skirt for ladies and dinner jacket with white shirt and black bow tie for gentlemen.
Our repertoire
It is difficult to sum this up, but perhaps the best description would be diverse and varied. Over the past 5 years we have performed works by Bruckner, Elgar, Handel, Mozart, Orff, Rutter, Verdi and Vaughan Williams. To this list we should add the more relaxed music from the shows such as Les Miserables, South Pacific, West Side Story and Guys and Dolls and a wide range of Christmas music both traditional and modern. (Click here to see details of our past concerts).
Subscriptions
The annual subscriptions for the current year 2009/10 are :
Full £90 (payable by October or £45 by Oct & £45 by Jan 10)
Senior citizens £80 (payable by October or £40 by Oct & £40 by Jan 10)
Students £20 (payable by October)
Vocal scores are available for hire at a cost of £1 per item and, in the event of damage or loss, we ask members to pay for the full cost of replacing the music.
Charitable status
Havering Singers is a Registered Charity: 294979
Affiliations
Havering Singers is a member of the Havering Arts Council.
Havering Singers is affiliated to ‘Making Music’, the National Federation of Music Societies.
Havering Singers is grateful that Advance Music, Hornchurch has agreed to be a sponsor of the Society.
Useful Links
