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new-singer [2023/12/08 00:57] (current) Iain Hallam
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 +====== New Singer Info ======
  
 +> **Welcome to Bristol A Cappella!**
 +
 +BAC is an award-winning mixed chorus that sings **contemporary songs** from a range of genres in the **barbershop style**. Apart from our tune-up pitch, all our sound comes from the human voice. We don't have beatboxing or soloists, but we aim to create a wall of sound by singing in four to eight-part harmony. Our repertoire includes pop, rock, and musicals, from Disney to My Chemical Romance, and we’re always open to suggestions from our members.
 +
 +We love to entertain at **gigs** and **competitions**; we’re always looking to improve our performances and have a good time along the way! As a singer, it’s a great place to improve your musical skills, appreciate close harmony singing, and make social connections.
 +
 +We look forward to harmonising with you and creating unforgettable musical moments!
 +
 +===== Key contacts =====
 +
 +{|
 +!Membership||Sam||[[membership@bristolacappella.co.uk]]
 +|-
 +!Treasurer||Mark||[[treasurer@bristolacappella.co.uk]]
 +|-
 +!Welfare||Vikki||[[welfare@bristolacappella.co.uk]]
 +|-
 +!Register||Vikki||[[register@bristolacappella.co.uk]] / 07492 882449
 +|-
 +!rowspan="4" style="border-bottom-width: 0;"|Section leaders||Sopranos||Vikki and Izzi
 +|-
 +|Altos||Melody and Suewon
 +|-
 +|Tenors||Danny and Robin
 +|-
 +|Basses||Michael and Stuart
 +|}
 +
 +===== What do we do? =====
 +
 +**Weekly rehearsals** (Tuesdays 7:30–10 pm): we rehearse all year round at Victoria Methodist Church, BS8 1NU, with a two-week break around Christmas. We understand you’ll need to miss a rehearsal sometimes, but please let the register contact know ASAP so we can plan ahead.
 +
 +**Coaching** (weekends, usually 4–6 days spaced throughout the year): we invite an external coach to help us improve our techniques and performance, often in preparation for an event.
 +
 +**Competitions** (usually once a year on a weekend): we compete in a major contest every year, often at the British Association of Barbershop Singers convention. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be inspired by other singers and socialise as a chorus!
 +
 +**Gigs**: we perform at various types of events, from busking to private bookings, local occasions, or our own shows.
 +
 +**Socialising**: we aim to replace one rehearsal each quarter with a social (potluck suppers, talent nights, ceilidhs, Christmas meal, etc.), and head for the pub after most rehearsals and shows.
 +
 +**Chorus members are encouraged to take part in as many of these activities as they can.**
 +
 +===== How much does it cost? =====
 +
 +Your **first two rehearsals are free**! Our standard rate is then **£#@fee_basic@#/month**, with a youth rate for those under 26 of **£#@fee_half@#/month**, by direct debit. If you need help with this, chat to our treasurer.
 +
 +If you can’t make our weekly rehearsals but still want to join for coaching and competitions, you can join [[/OutBAC]] for **£#@fee_outbac@#/month**.
 +
 +===== Joining =====
 +
 +{{  /about/david.jpg?400x300&nolink|One of our new members receiving their certificate}}We’re delighted you’re considering joining our musical journey! We want you to enjoy making high-quality performances, so we check our new singers to make sure we’re a good fit for each other. To become a full member, prospective singers are asked to show they can hold a tune, memorise songs, and sing independently during their **induction**.
 +
 +==== First rehearsals ====
 +
 +In your first week our membership team will take **contact details** from you including an email address so we can send information about joining (using the [[/signup]] form).
 +
 +Then, or in your second week, we’ll check your **vocal range** to suggest a voice section and ask you to **sing a line back** to someone from the music team. **You don’t have to read music to sing with us**, but we’ll lend you a copy during rehearsals until you can access the web site and either print your own or buy from our librarian.
 +
 +After this, we’ll make an account for you on our web site and ask you to virtually sign our **copyright agreement**; then we can give you access to our singers-only pages to **download sheet music and audio teach tracks** to help you learn songs. This also makes a Bristol A Cappella email address for you that you can use to log into Slack, our **chat platform**.
 +
 +==== Induction ====
 +
 +We try to make our induction as natural as possible, so you have **two full calendar months to memorise a song** (singing along to our audio teach tracks helps) and sing it within the chorus, and a few lines in **quartet with other members**. In the next month we'll check you’re making progress on learning more of our repertoire and whether you're ready to join Bristol A Cappella. Your section leaders will walk you through the process at all stages to let you know what’s next.
 +
 +Once you’re through the process, you’ll become a full member of the chorus and we’ll present you with a certificate, a shiny name badge, and lend out your uniform.
 +
 +===== Learning songs =====
 +
 +We learn around six to eight new songs each year. Although we work on the musicality of songs in rehearsal, **you’re expected to learn the notes in your own time** and put in some practice at home each week. We also have a repertoire of around 25 songs that will likely take a couple of years to learn, but you won't need to be able to sing these all to start with!
 +
 +===== Special requirements =====
 +
 +If you've got any **special requirements or medical conditions** that you think we should be aware of, please contact the [[welfare@bristolacappella.co.uk|welfare coordinator]] or [[membership@bristolacappella.co.uk|membership coordinator]] in confidence. They'll make sure that the relevant people know so we can make any adjustments needed to help support your time in the chorus.
 +
 +===== More information =====
 +
 +There's a [[/singers/handbook]] and lots of useful links in the **[[/singers|singers-only part of our web site]]** including our **riser etiquette** and volunteer **code of conduct**. We won’t have thought of all your questions, though, so please ask: the music team and committee are always happy to field queries, and you can ask the chorus in the #general channel on Slack.
 +
 +**Weekly notices** are given in rehearsal, then emailed to members.
 +
 +===== Have fun! =====
 +
 +Our [[/about/vision|mantra]] is **enjoyment, education, and excellence**, and you should do all three to get the full Bristol A Cappella experience. See you on the risers!
Enjoyment · Education · Excellence