The Heritage Masterworks Chorale is an extension of the Heritage Singers which, after 15 successful years, has decided to expand.  Aimed at bringing neglected choral masterpieces back to audiences and performing these in prestigious locations, the new choir will run alongside the Heritage Singers who have provided choral services for over 250 churches since their formation and will continue to do so.

Both choirs offer exciting singing opportunities in a friendly and relaxed but hard working environment.

HERITAGE MASTERWORKS CHORALE

Members Information

Choir aims and purpose

This choir aims to prepare 4 concerts a year of music that could be considered a masterwork.  The music will come from a variety of periods and will be performed in a variety of town centre venues.  It will also be recorded when ready. It is anticipated that the audience for these events will be offered subscription tickets annually and will come from the high profile publicity that this choir will be seeking.

Music

All Music will be provided at the beginning of each session and it is the responsibility of the singer to look after this music.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals will normally be once a month for three hours at the Yorkshire College of Music and Drama in Headingley, and generally on a Sunday afternoon.  Dates for these and for the events will be made known with as much advance notice as possible. 

Attendance and Commitment

Regular attendance is required at the rehearsals that you are asked to attend and also a commitment to the events that you are selected for.  Because of the nature of this choir it will be expected that members will look at and work on their music between these rehearsals so that fast progress can be made to offering interpretations of the music to the highest standard.   Any member missing three consecutive rehearsals without prior arrangement will lose the right to membership, however, any member asking for a prolonged absence for exceptional reasons may be granted this for a maximum period of six months. 

Membership and Singing Selection

The singers for each event will be selected from the list of choir members current at the time.  Not every member will need to attend every concert as it is intended to have a pool of 24-30 singers from whom the required number will be drawn.  There will be a need for all singers to know the large scale works, but other smaller works will be given to singers in selected groups chosen for the blend and suitability to the repertoire.  This offers variety and the chance to sing in quartets, octets etc.  Before any singer can be admitted to the choir they must have attended a group blending/audition session.

Singing skills

Because of the nature of this choir, singers will need a fairly high standard of sight reading.

Subscriptions

There will be a small subscription fee of £40 which will be payable annually.

Uniform

Black trousers, shoes and shirts/tops; a waistcoat will be provided for men, and a flower for ladies.

Choir Contacts for Heritage Masterworks Chorale

Director: Tim Knight 0788960813     masterworks@supanet.com

Librarian: Alan Smith     abjks@ntlworld.com

Events: MikeRignall 07836591242     Rignall03@aol.com

Website

Sponsorship

HERITAGE SINGERS

Members Information

Choir aims and purpose

This choir has for the last 15 years provided a wide variety of Choral services to churches throughout the North, as well as having stood in for Cathedral choirs at Norwich, Blackburn. York, Ripon, Southwell, Hexham Lincoln and Chester, in all it has provided music for over 250 events, from services to weddings, concerts to Carol singing. It has released 5 CDs and also toured the USA twice, Holland, Norway, Ireland and Hungary. This is the core work that this choir continues to undertake and also limited concert opportunities during the course of tours. In 2009 this work will continue and it is expected that a further CD will be released. 

Music

All Music is provided at the beginning of each session and it is the responsibility of the singer to look after this music.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are normally once a fortnight 7.45-9.30 on Sunday evenings at St Michael's Church, Headingley. Dates for these and for the events will be made known with as much advance notice as possible, usually by way of the choir's Newsletter which is sent by email to all members.

Attendance and Commitment

Regular attendance is required at the rehearsals and also a commitment to the events.  Any member missing three consecutive rehearsals without prior arrangement will lose the right to membership, however any member asking for a prolonged absence for exceptional reasons may be granted this for a maximum period of six months. The events are agreed after a electronic tick list has been sent round the choir.  If members place a 'Yes' against an event, we will take that as a definite attendance and will plan our events accordingly, those who put 'Not Sure' are asked to let us know the reason for this and if it may turn into a 'Yes'. 

Singing skills

Because of the nature of this choir, singers will need a fair standard of sight reading.

Subscriptions

There is a small subscription fee determined by the committee which is payable annually. 

Uniform

For services, uniform is a robe which is provided by the choir.  Separate concert wear is also sometimes needed.

Membership

Any interested singer is invited to come a long to a rehearsal and try the choir out, after which there may be, at the discretion of the Director, a short audition.

Choir Contacts For Heritage Singers

Director: Tim Knight 0788960813     tim.knight@supanet.com

Librarian: Alan Smith     abjks@ntlworld.com

Events: Mike Rignall 07836591242     Rignall03@aol.com

Treasurer: Julie Smith

A website already exists for the choir at www.heritage.singers.20m.com which also has a members password protected page.