Join Us
The Australian Welsh Male Choir is always keen to welcome new members into the choir. The Choir is a diverse group of 50 odd (in both senses of the word) men with ages ranging from 40 yrs to 94 yrs and coming from all walks of life. We have singers from Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany,
Japan and of course Australia. They have one major thing in common – the love of singing!
Rehearsals:
The Village Baxter , ( in the Chapel), Robinsons Road, Frankston,
Use Entrance 2 off Robinsons Road, Melways Ref: 102 H11
Main rehearsal – Monday nights 1900 – 2130 hrs (7.00 – 9.30pm) – including a short tea/coffee/biscuit break.
2nd rehearsal (when required – Thursday nights approx 1 hr.
Or…
AWMC City Chapter.
Welsh Church
320 La Trobe St
Melbourne
Wednesday evenings (except for the last Wednesday each month)
1900 – 2100 hrs (7:00 – 9:00)
Requirements?
– being a male member of the species ( Ladies are welcome to join our sister choir: The Mornington Peninsula Welsh Ladies Choir)
– a love of singing
– a reasonable commitment to attend weekly rehearsals
Do I need to be able to read music?
It is an advantage to be able to read music but you can learn your part by following the lead of other members of your section. You will soon pick up some musical knowledge. Practice tapes/CDs of the music for each section are available for members.
Do I have to know Welsh?
About 25% of our repertoire is in the Welsh language and the majority of the choir members learn the words by phonetics. There are a few Welshmen in the choir who can help you with pronunciation and there are CDs/MP3s of the Welsh words available for choristers.
What does it cost me?
‘There is an initial donation of $20 which covers the cost of a ‘Welcome Kit’ folder which tells you about the choir and contains a personal information sheet which a prospective new member should complete and hand to the Membership co-ordinator’.
There is an annual fee of $170 to be a full member of the choir. There are special reduced rates for full-time students.
You will be required to purchase a uniform jacket, trousers and shirt for concert performances. There are occasionally some other expenses when we travel to concert venues.
What happens at my first rehearsal?
You will be given a short voice range check to determine the section of the choir in which you will sing. The choir is divided into four sections – First Tenor, Second Tenor, Baritone and Bass.
Then what?
When you feel confident, you can ask for an audition. For this you will be asked to sing a piece of your choice against the other section leaders. This is to check that you can hold your own part against the other sections of the choir. This usually takes place after a rehearsal. You do this audition when you feel ready – there’s no rush. However; you have to do your audition before you can perform on stage! Once done, you will receive your choir tie, jacket badge and lapel badge – you are then a full member of the Australian Welsh Male Choir!
What about the ladies?
The choir has a ladies’ auxiliary to assist with fund raising and other events. Wives, and any other friends, are encouraged and most welcome to attend rehearsals and to be active members of the choir in equally important non-singing ways. There is always a lot of valuable work to be done behind the scenes, thus enabling the Choir to function at its best. For ladies who would like to sing there is the newly formed
Mornington Peninsula Ladies Welsh Choir Call Helen Selby for details: 0424 719 291
Will I enjoy it?
Who knows? But there is nothing quite like the exhilaration one feels when singing four part harmony in a Welsh Male Choir in front of an audience.
Just come and give us a try!!