How do I join Take Note?
Visit our Join Us page for details on how to express your interest. We do operate a waiting list.
Do you hold auditions?
No, when we have places available, we welcome people of all musical abilities. You just have to enjoy singing.
Do you have to be able to read music?
It doesn’t matter if you can’t read music, although it does help if you can. We are provided with practice tracks for each register on this website. The tracks are also available on CD to listen to between rehearsals, so you can sing along in the kitchen, shower, or while driving.
You do need to try and learn the words and the tune off by heart, as we perform without our music in front of us at our concerts.
Does it cost to be a member of Take Note Choir?
We are a community choir, and we need to cover our costs (our Musical Director’s fees, insurance for our equipment, printing costs, etc.).
We try to keep costs to a minimum. At the moment, we charge £45 per term per choir member, payable at the beginning of each term, preferably by bank transfer.
When and where are the rehearsals?
We rehearse over three 12-week terms: January to Easter, April to early summer and September to Christmas. During these periods, we rehearse at Whickham School on Tuesday evenings between 7:30 pm and 9:00 pm.
Do I have to attend all the rehearsals?
Obviously, we would like you to attend them all as we would miss you if you weren’t there.
We do appreciate, however, that you may have to miss a couple of sessions each term. We want you to be as confident as possible at our concerts.
How would you describe the standard of singing?
We don’t really have a prescribed standard. We try to be the best we can and to improve all the time. With our Musical Director’s support and guidance, we are becoming more and more confident as singers. The main thing is ensuring that we enjoy singing.
What do you sing?
We have a very varied repertoire. At the end of each term, choir members are asked for song suggestions for the following term, which are often organised around a theme. Our musical tastes are varied, and we sing popular music from all decades, a few classical pieces, film music, and even a few traditional songs. The final decision of what we sing is made by our Musical Director, who provides superb arrangements for us to follow.
Where and when do you perform?
We hold at least three concerts a year: Easter, early summer and Christmas. These are held at various locations: Ryton Social Club, St Mary’s Church at Whickham, and other local venues that are large enough to accommodate the choir and the audience.
We have also performed at Beamish Museum, Gibside Chapel, Swalwell Cricket Club, and Sunniside and Holmeside Social Clubs.
For our “end of term” concerts, we charge a small admission fee to ensure all our costs are covered. For some events, we provide a buffet and refreshments in the interval.
Would you be able to perform at my event?
If the dates are convenient for choir members and our Musical Director, we would love to sing at your event. Please get in touch with our Events Secretary for details (gilliansurtees@btinternet.com). As we learn new songs each term, we sound great around the time of our concerts (April, July, December).