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!
AWMC are always looking for new members, if you enjoy singing and would like to be part of the original Welsh Choir in Australia we want to hear from you!
For more information please give Larry a call on 0408 332 972 or leave a message on our contact us page.
Or simply come and join us on a Rehearsal night. (See below.)
Rehearsals (see location schedule below):
AWMC Frankston Chapter.
We alternate every Monday between:
The Village Baxter (in the Chapel),
Robinsons Road, Frankston,
Use Entrance 2 off Robinsons Road, Melways Ref: 102 H11
and
The Frankston Mechanics Hall.
1A Plowman Pl, Frankston VIC 3199
Main rehearsal – Monday nights 1900 – 2130 hrs (7.00 – 9.30pm) – including a short tea/coffee/biscuit break.
Sectional Rehearsals on a Thursday night.
AWMC City Chapter.
Welsh Church, (Every Wednesday, except the last Wednesday of each month)
320 La Trobe St,
Melbourne.
Wednesday evenings - 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Requirements?
– being a male.
– 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 recordings are available via the members' section of this website.
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 $300 to be a full member of the choir. (Less than $5 per week!) 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!
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!!