FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are some questions we're often asked, along with their answers.
Do you use sheet music or sing from memory?
To learn the music, and in weekly sessions, we use sheet music (alongside learning tracks). For performances, we sing from memory.
Do you have to attend a minimum number of sessions in a season in order to perform?
No. We expect every member of the choir to ensure they are fully prepared for performances, but we trust them to do that in whatever way is right for them. Because singers can access the video recordings of every session, it's possible to catch up on sessions if you miss them in person.
What is your dress code for performances?
When performing, we have a monochrome dress code - any combination of black, white, grey and/or silver. We don't specify the exact style of clothing people should wear, so they can choose something they're comfortable in, but we do encourage everyone to a) look like we're on the same team, and b) look professional. For more information, see the dedicated page on the website.
How complex are the musical arrangements/how many parts does the choir sing in?
Basically, we sing in 4 parts: soprano, alto, tenor and bass. Some of the time we split into up to 6 parts, with soprano 1s and 2s, and alto 1s and 2s. The musical arrangements tread a line between singability (each vocal part should feel fun to sing on its own) and complexity (the overall sound should be interesting throughout). Most songs have "feature moments" for each voice part - the tune is not always in the sopranos!
Do you use piano accompaniment, backing tracks, or sing unaccompanied?
In sessions, we use a combination of backing tracks (when doing a full sing through of a song) and piano accompaniment (when working on smaller sections of a song). For performance, we sing to backing tracks. All of our backing tracks are created in-house, and are crafted to fit the vocal arrangement perfectly. They use high-end instrumental samples - so for instance, anything orchestral uses sounds provided by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and some of our drum parts in rock songs use the sound of Roger Taylor's drum kit (the drummer from Queen).
We use backing tracks for two main reasons. Firstly, from the first time you start working on one of our songs all the way through to performance, they will sound exactly the same. No sudden surprises on concert day when a song gets faster than you've practiced it, or when an instrument plays something you weren't expecting. Secondly, the volume of backing tracks is completely controllable, so we can make sure that the choir is always clearly heard - something that isn't always possible when working with live musicians.
Do you offer a free taster session?
No, but if you join the choir and find it isn't for you, you can cancel your membership at any time without having anything further to pay. We don't offer free taster sessions because it costs us a significant amount of money to license the music we make available, and we wouldn't want to give a taster session without making the music available because that's not a true reflection of the experience of being a member of the choir.
We're also very happy to answer any questions you might have about joining before you join - get in touch and we'll tell you anything you need to know.