Join us

Have you ever thought of joining a choir?

 

What does membership entail?

 

Is there an audition?

 

This page will answer your questions and give you an insight into New Mill Male Voice Choir.

NMMVC has over 60 members. The membership is drawn from all walks of life and backgrounds and is definitely not elitist. Most of our members were non-singers before joining the choir and could not read music, so please don’t let this be a barrier to your enjoyment of singing with us. Whatever your singing experience, we are sure you will feel comfortable with the friendly relaxed atmosphere that exists within our choir.

We are a concert choir and perform on average 12 times a year. Our concerts have included venues such as York Minster, Southwark Cathedral and the Royal Albert Hall. We usually organise several of our own concerts each year – typically at Huddersfield Town Hall and a Carol Concert at New Mill Church at Christmas.

Our repertoire is not restricted to traditional male voice choir items. We include in each programme a number of more popular songs to lighten our repertoire and appeal to a wider audience.

Rehearsal Night

We rehearse at New Mill Club on Tuesday evenings starting at 7:30. Rehearsals finish at 9:30 after which many members stay for a well earned drink, supper and a chat. The period after rehearsal is a valuable opportunity for you to socialise with choir members who will rapidly become good friends. We expect members to attend as many rehearsals as possible but they are hardly a chore and most members are present every Tuesday.

When you attend your first rehearsal your voice will be assessed to find which ‘section’ of the choir you are most suited to i.e. first tenor, second tenor, baritone or bass. You will not be expected to be a virtuoso performer but you will need to be able to hold a tune. Your first few rehearsals will be very relaxed and an opportunity for you to partake in the creation of the special sound of a male voice choir. You will soon find it addictive!

The Voice Test

We do not require members to audition but we do have a voice test. This is conducted by the Musical Director and will normally take place after a few weeks when you have had the opportunity to settle in and become more confident. It will confirm that you are in the correct section of the choir and will make sure that you can hold a note.

Social Life

The choir is not just about singing! We have a wide and varied social life which is very important to us. We organise popular informal singing evenings in local pubs, workshop weekends in Scarborough and annual dinners. There are opportunities to go walking and cycling – the choir arranges a rich variety of social activities. Our Social Secretary is a busy man!

What does it Cost?

All members pay an annual subscription of £132.00. This helps to cover the running costs of the choir. We provide you with your Green Jacket, made from cloth supplied by Bower Roebuck in New Mill, your concert trousers and bow tie. We also supply casual shirts for less formal concerts.

What our Members Say…

When I retired my wife made me join the choir so that she got respite every Tuesday night and the odd Saturday.

Our marriage is thriving and I have 50 new mates.

           Dave

 

Having only joined the choir a couple of months earlier, in 2014 we signed up for a choir & wives’ trip to Belgium. The programme included concerts in Ghent and Bruges Cathedrals, and singing at the Menin Gate.

Not knowing what to expect and with some trepidation as neither Chris, my wife, nor I, knew many of the choir at that time, we set off on the coach down to Dover. Sightseeing on the first day in Ghent we were approached by a choir member “I’ve found a restaurant would you like to join us?” We did and were welcomed by a dozen other members and their wives setting the scene for a great time with newfound friends.

Experiencing the acoustics whilst singing in a cathedral for the first time is something I will never forget nor the emotional moment singing Let there be peace on earth at the Menin Gate, but my abiding memory was the way we were welcomed into the choir.

John

 

Visit Us

To learn more about the choir and to take that first step to a new and stimulating activity then come and visit us to see for yourself what New Mill Male Voice Choir is all about.

Join Us

Joining us starts a whole adventure in the world of singing. We will be happy to provide you with more information and pave the way to that all-important first rehearsal. You will never regret it!