Harpenden Choral Society has an active and committed membership of about 65 singers. We rehearsed via Zoom throughout the pandemic but were delighted to return to in-person rehearsals in September 2021 and gave a very enjoyable and highly-praised performance of Haydn’s Creation in November 2021. We are now actively seeking new members as we make exciting plans for future seasons.
We would like to recruit new members in all voice sections but would particularly welcome new Tenors and Basses. You can be sure to find challenge and inspiration as well as having great fun singing with a friendly group of people. We can offer free membership to new Tenors and Basses for their first term. We are also able to offer free singing lessons to new joiners under the age of 30. Reduced subscriptions are available to those under 30, full-time students and anyone in receipt of income-related benefits.
As a member you will have the opportunity to:
- perform a wide range of works, with four concerts a year (to see our repertoire click here)
- perform with professional soloists and orchestral players
- develop your musical skills and vocal technique under the guidance of our regular conductor and visiting specialist coaches
- join in social events and make new friends
- take part in the roles and activities involved in running the society
Rehearsals
We rehearse on Tuesday evenings from 8pm to 10pm in the United Reformed Church, Vaughan Road, Harpenden AL5 4HA. We meet from the beginning of September to the end of June with a break at Christmas and Easter.
Rehearsals are taken by professional musicians, usually our Musical Director, John Andrews, and occasionally by guest conductors or vocal specialists. A basic ability to read music is necessary to follow the scores but you don’t need to have any previous experience of choral singing. Our Musical Director holds a short voice test with each applicant (nothing too daunting) before membership is confirmed.
Our next Open Rehearsal will be held on Tuesday 13th September 2022. If you would like to join before then, please get in touch. We would love to hear from you.
Subscriptions
The annual membership subscription is £200, which can be paid in instalments. We also offer subsidised membership fees of £50 to under-30s, full-time students and those in receipt of income-related benefits. New members who join the Tenor or Bass sections will receive free membership for the first term. Free singing lessons are offered to new joiners under the age of 30.
Contact
If you are interested in joining us please contact our Membership Secretary, Marion Oxley, to discuss coming along to a rehearsal. Marion can be contacted on 01582 832900 or by email: membership@harpendenchoralsociety.org.
