Welcome to Rochester Choral Society!

This page was originally designed to help new singers feel 'at home', but it would also be useful for anyone who would like to know more about how the Society operates.

Rehearsals and concerts

We rehearse on Tuesday evenings during term-time, including half-term at 7.30-9.30 pm at the Baptist Church, which is in Crow Lane, off Rochester High Street [map]. The entrance is up a passage before the church building. If you are late, the door will be locked, but ring the bell and someone will let you in.

We have three or four concerts each season. They are usually held in Rochester Cathedral on Saturday evenings at 7 pm, but we have also held concerts recently in local parish churches or the St. George's Centre, Chatham Maritime. We rehearse in the Cathedral (or other venue if the concert is to be held elsewhere) on the Thursday evening and Saturday morning prior to the concert. We sing a wide variety of music, including less well-known works, as well as the usual choral repertoire. (Please see our concert archive for an idea of what we sing.) We have a strong relationship with the Cathedral, which we value highly. This includes members of the Boys' and Girls' Choirs singing with us on occasions.

Musicians

We are fortunate in having a team of excellent musicians to lead us. Our Director of Music is Roger Sayer. Roger is Cathedral Organist and an internationally known recitalist. Our Chorus Master, Gavin Williams, is the former Head of Music at the King's School. Our accompanist, Dan Soper, is Assistant Director of Music at the Cathedral. We are accompanied by the Rochester Sinfonietta for most of our concerts: for others, the magnificent Cathedral organ is used.

Membership

Our Membership Secretary is June Woollett: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 01634 845496. She will give you any information that you may need and organise your voice test. You are welcome to come for a couple of weeks to see if you would like to sing in the choir. After that, speak to June and she will arrange for you to have a simple voice test with Gavin, after a rehearsal. This is partly to see which voice you should sing and the best place to seat you. You may borrow music for each rehearsal until after your voice test, then it can be hired for a small fee.

Voice reps

Each part has a voice rep, who will answer any questions and see that you know what to do while you settle in. Members can find out who their Voice Rep is by clicking on the Voice Reps tab in the Members' Pages.

Subscription

The subscription is £96 pa with reductions for students. We encourage you to pay this by monthly Standing Order and to Gift Aid it.

Attendance

Members are expected to attend at least 75% of rehearsals if they intend to sing in a concert. This is flexible and can be waived at Roger or Gavin's discretion. We don't like excluding anyone, but can only give good concerts if we have good rehearsals! If you think that you cannot get to enough rehearsals or have a problem, speak to your Voice Rep.

Dress code for concerts

Ladies: Long black dresses, skirts or formal trousers (no jeans or leggings), long sleeved black tops and a red rose.

Gentlemen: Dress suits, with white shirts and black bow ties.

We occasionally become 'colourful' for a particular concert, but you will be warned in plenty of time!

We use black music folders. These, and the roses, can be bought from the Choir Secretary.

Keeping in touch

The committee endeavours to keep you informed and to take back any situations and concerns to its meetings. We produce regular newsletters (archived copies of which can be found by clicking on the Newsletters tab of the Members' Pages), and try to keep members informed via this website. The AGM is in September, when you can speak on any matters and have an opportunity to elect your representatives.

We are a friendly choir and hope that you will enjoy singing with us.