Information for new members
VACANCIES FOR SPRING TERM 2010
The Caedmon Choir currently has a full membership and it is unlikely that we will be able to accept any additional new members into the soprano, alto or tenor sections this coming term.
We do however have vacancies in our Bass section.
If you would like to have your name added to our waiting list for future vacancies please email using our contact form, giving your name and a phone number. We will contact you when a vacancy arises but please be aware that you may have a long wait!
If you have sung before and know which part you usually sing please let us know that as well (it is not a problem if you do not know this however and will not affect your position on the waiting list).
If you are interested in joining us in future you may find the following information helpful:
Rehearsal times and days
We meet on Tuesday nights from 8.00pm until 9.30pm. We meet within school term-times but may also hold occasional rehearsals outside these times. See the Terms, Performances page for current term dates as well as for forthcoming events and performances.
Venue
We rehearse in the Kathleen Shears Studio at The Sage Gateshead. This is the very large rehearsal room underneath the staircase leading down to the Music Education Centre (MEC). To find it, go down the central staircase from the concourse and turn right to double back on yourself. The room is the first on the right, with its entrance under the stairs and its name on the wall outside the door!
How to get there
Detailed information is available on The Sage Gateshead website (see our 'Links' page) or in their information brochures
Car parking
The Sage Gateshead’s own car park directly behind the building costs £3.00 for the full evening and there is lift access. The Sage Gateshead’s overflow car park on Mill Road (on the way down to the Baltic gallery) costs £1 per hour. Free evening parking is available at Gateshead Old Town Hall less than ten minutes walk away. The Visitor Information - Getting There page on The Sage Gateshead's own website has information about additional car parks in and around the immediate area. For further information see The Sage Gateshead’s website (see our 'Links' page) or their current brochure.
Fees
From January 2010 the choir fees will be £25.00 full, £15.00 concessions, per term. Fees should be paid in full as early as possible in each term and by week 3 at the latest. We ask new members to fill in a membership form to ensure that we have full and up to date records of our members and so that we can contact or send information to them when necessary. All members, whether new or returning, may be asked to complete a fresh form at the beginning of each Autumn term to ensure that our records are up to date.
Repertoire
A New Members’ Pack containing copies of current and past repertoire is available for paid-up new members along with a practice CD of back-repertoire.
Performances
We are a performing choir and members are asked to commit themselves to performances whenever possible. We recognise however that everyone has commitments that will on occasions prevent them from attending performances.
Uniform
We wear the choir colours, black and green, for performances. Women can wear trousers or a skirt; the skirt does not need to be full length. The green item should be made from our own specially purchased green polyester satin but can be in the form of a waistcoat, scarf, sash or rosette. We have some scarves made up and ready to purchase, or you can buy a piece of our fabric and make it up yourself, or have it made for you. We developed this smarter 'uniform' in preparation for the Street Choir Festival in June 2006.
You will also need a ring-binder for storing your music neatly. This should be plain green if you expect to use your music during performances.
When to join
We currently have a full membership but keep a waiting list (see above). When a vacancy arises, new members normally join us at the start of each term and by the third week of term at the latest.
Last updated January 2010
