You got questions, we got answers
Joining A Choir – FAQs
Your first time
- Are your rehearsal spaces accessible for disabled people?
- Yes and if you have questions about this, please let us know before your first taster session so we can make sure you have all the help you might need.
- Yes and if you have questions about this, please let us know before your first taster session so we can make sure you have all the help you might need.
- Will I have to audition?
- No. We ask new people to come 20 minutes early so we can welcome you and check your vocal range to see if you’re a bass, tenor, alto or soprano.
- No. We ask new people to come 20 minutes early so we can welcome you and check your vocal range to see if you’re a bass, tenor, alto or soprano.
- Will I have to join a waiting list?
- No. There’s no waiting list at the moment.
- No. There’s no waiting list at the moment.
- I can’t sing. Does that mean I can’t join a choir?
- Most people can sing, but may be under-confident if teachers or other people have told them they can’t. It’s a matter of building your confidence up – you’ll be surprised at the sounds you can make!
- Most people can sing, but may be under-confident if teachers or other people have told them they can’t. It’s a matter of building your confidence up – you’ll be surprised at the sounds you can make!
- Can I join a choir if I’m not very confident?
- Yes! Singing in a choir allows you to blend with the people around you, many of whom will be confident singers. The support of other voices around you will help you build your courage and capability.
- Yes! Singing in a choir allows you to blend with the people around you, many of whom will be confident singers. The support of other voices around you will help you build your courage and capability.
- Do I need to be able to read music to join a choir?
- No. Some do, many don’t. After a while you will be able to follow the notes to get a good idea of what the tune is, but our other resources, such as the audio CDs and the music player on the Gurt Lush website will help you learn.
- No. Some do, many don’t. After a while you will be able to follow the notes to get a good idea of what the tune is, but our other resources, such as the audio CDs and the music player on the Gurt Lush website will help you learn.
- What support will I get as a newbie?
- We operate a buddy system which means we’ll sit you next to an experienced choir member who can guide you. You will get lost at the beginning, but don’t worry about it! Everyone does at first.
- We operate a buddy system which means we’ll sit you next to an experienced choir member who can guide you. You will get lost at the beginning, but don’t worry about it! Everyone does at first.
- How do I know what type of voice I have?
- We figure that out for you when you arrive!
- We figure that out for you when you arrive!
- What sort of songs do the choirs sing?
- The joy of the Gurt Lush repertoire is that it whisks you all around the world, back in time and forwards again and through every musical genre you can imagine from classical to rock to folk to sacred music. One minute we’ll be singing a choral arrangement by Vaughan Williams, the next we’ll be air guitaring to Jimi Hendrix.
- The joy of the Gurt Lush repertoire is that it whisks you all around the world, back in time and forwards again and through every musical genre you can imagine from classical to rock to folk to sacred music. One minute we’ll be singing a choral arrangement by Vaughan Williams, the next we’ll be air guitaring to Jimi Hendrix.
- How much does it cost to join a choir?
- See the pricing here
- See the pricing here
Choir membership
- What is the age limit?
- All ages are welcome – we’ve had from 14 to 94 year olds. And don’t forget under 18s go free when accompanied by a paying adult member!
- All ages are welcome – we’ve had from 14 to 94 year olds. And don’t forget under 18s go free when accompanied by a paying adult member!
- Will I have to sing on my own?
- Not unless you volunteer to do so. There are slots for soloists so you’re welcome to have a go, but no one will ever make you.
- Not unless you volunteer to do so. There are slots for soloists so you’re welcome to have a go, but no one will ever make you.
- I can’t make rehearsals every week, is that a problem?
- Not at all. You can skip weeks you can’t make, or if something crops up on your chosen choir night you can always go to a different branch that week.
- Not at all. You can skip weeks you can’t make, or if something crops up on your chosen choir night you can always go to a different branch that week.
- What do I get for my money?
- As well as the full weekly rehearsal programme, we provide full audio resources and access to the members’ area on this website. Priority access to workshops and other events of interest to singers – we’ve even been on tour to Spain! Plus opportunities to get out and sing with us, from formal concerts to street busking and charity events. Oh, and the post-gig afterparties…
- As well as the full weekly rehearsal programme, we provide full audio resources and access to the members’ area on this website. Priority access to workshops and other events of interest to singers – we’ve even been on tour to Spain! Plus opportunities to get out and sing with us, from formal concerts to street busking and charity events. Oh, and the post-gig afterparties…
- Where and when does the choir perform?
- Anywhere, everywhere at any time. We have a constant pipeline of guest appearances which you’ll have access to when you join and we busk quite a bit in and around Bristol.
- Anywhere, everywhere at any time. We have a constant pipeline of guest appearances which you’ll have access to when you join and we busk quite a bit in and around Bristol.
- Do I have to sing in concerts?
- No, but you should, it’s great fun!
- No, but you should, it’s great fun!
- How do I pay?
- Cash or bank transfer both fine. Sorry we no longer take cheques.
- Cash or bank transfer both fine. Sorry we no longer take cheques.
- How do I cancel my membership?
- Just tell your branch secretary.
- Just tell your branch secretary.
- Where can I download the rehearsal mixes?
- In the members’ area.
- In the members’ area.
- Will I have to buy sheet music?
- Nope. We give out sheet music as part of your membership.