Please see
this page for details of other choral-related events that may be of interest to you and this
other page that focuses on a few particular items.
ChoraLine Rehearsal Aids
ChoraLine is a company that specialises in supplying useful equipment to choirs and rehearsal aids to choral singers to help them learn the music they are practising for their next event/concert. It has been in existence for many years and has established an excellent reputation. Examples of items in stock include voice part rehearsal CDs (for over 120 choral works), vocal scores, warm-up exercises, folders, pencils, bags and music-themed gifts.
To visit their website, click
here or go to
www.choraline.com in your web browser. As we are registered with ChoraLine, both the choir and its individual members can benefit from a 10% discount on all purchases online. Just use the code '
WCS' where it asks for the Discount Code on the shopping basket check-out page.
Choraline is now also available as an app for use on your smartphone or tablets. It is available for both Apple and Android platforms and more details can be found at their
www.choralineapp.com website.
Rehearsal Aids for Specific Concerts
There are some
Rehearsal Aids made available to help you with your learning and/or understanding of some of the works that we perform. You can find those by clicking on
this link.
Concert Dress Code
The current default dress code for members at concerts and other events is:
- Ladies
Black long or three-quarter sleeved blouse or top, plain long black skirt (matt material) or plain long black trousers, black shoes, black tights, small black bag (optional) and no conspicuous jewellery.
- Gentlemen
Dinner suit or plain very dark suit, white shirt, black bow tie, black shoes.
- Variations on this may be made at the discretion of the Executive team depending on the concert/event.
Voice Tests - Guidelines
Once every three years or so the Music Director likes to hear each member individually to gain a greater understanding of the individual capabilities within the choir. The process is designed primarily as a re-balancing exercise where, over the three years, one voice part may have become disproportionately larger than another .
Voice tests will be with Daniel initially and also with Michael Higgins when re-auditioned.
Expectations
Each member should bring something to sing, whether it be a folk song, concert aria, solo from an oratorio, art song, song from a musical, even a hymn, etc. If you're stuck for what to do, some suggestions to consider can be found by clicking
here. Please don’t be offended if you are stopped part way through your piece and don’t be surprised if you are asked to sing a bit again with a few tips from Neil and/or Michael.
You will also be asked to sing a few vocal exercises; again, don’t be surprised if you are asked to do things in a particular way, as we are simply trying to see what your voice does and to help you get the best out of it.
Semi-chorus/solos
Occasionally there are small solo roles to be given out in our programme. Please let Daniel know if you are interested in this.
Also, Daniel will keep a list of suitable voices for semi chorus sections that come up from time to time. Please let him know if you are interested in this too.
After the voice test
The outcome of the voice test is one of three categories: (i) pass, (ii) change of voice part or (iii) re-test after six months. This final category will be used sparingly. If people are asked for a re-test, they will be given specific feedback as to what they need to work on. If, ultimately, they are not successful then they will be offered the chance to choose a final concert.
Who's been Who
To see who has been the Society's President, Music Director, Chairman, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer since the choir started in 1914, have a look at this.
Data Protection & Privacy
In compliance with UK data protection laws and the 2018 General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Wimbledon Choral has a Data Protection & Privacy Policy in force. This defines what personal data/information we request of you, how we use that data, why and for how long we need to keep it. Full details can be seen here.
For young singers, the world of the adult choir can be a little daunting especially when several other groups of people within the choir are singing notes that do not seem to tally at all with those written on the top line that the younger singer has always sung. To aid them in their transition to singing in a full SATB chorus, the Young Person's Guide to the SATB Choir, an explanation of the four different voice parts, has been made available for downloading.
C, E-flat, and G go into a bar. The bartender says, "Sorry, but we don't serve minors." So E-flat leaves, and C and G have an open fifth between them. After a few drinks, the fifth is diminished, and G is out flat. F comes in and tries to augment the situation, but is not sharp enough. D comes in and heads for the bathroom, saying, "Excuse me; I'll just be a second." Then A comes in, but the bartender is not convinced that this relative of C is not a minor. Then the bartender notices B-flat hiding at the end of the bar and says, "Get out! You're the seventh minor I've found in this bar tonight." E-flat comes back the next night in a three-piece suit with nicely shined shoes. The bartender says, "You're looking sharp tonight. Come on in, this could be a major development." Sure enough, E-flat soon takes off his suit and everything else, and is au natural. Eventually C sobers up and realizes in horror that he's under a rest. C is brought to trial, found guilty of contributing to the diminution of a minor, and is sentenced to 10 years of D.S. without Coda at an upscale correctional facility.
Starting 2017, copies of the previous year's AGM Minutes will be published here.
Founded in 1903, the Wimbledon Society is committed to protecting all those local amenities that contribute to the quality of life of the residents living in or having access to the area. It issues a regular newsletter keeping its members informed of what has been happening in and around Wimbledon. The March 2015 newsletter includes an 
