Music styles  Jazz, classical, sacred, music from well-known musicals and less well-known ones as well.

What we sing  Music for SATB choirs – i.e. mostly four-part harmony.

Who joins?  People who can already sing in tune.  Hardly any of us have had professional training.  Formally, we are students of the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.

When and where do we sing?  It’s a moveable feast.  We have our own major concert, usually around August-September each year.  We sing both paid and unpaid events: occasionally for a wedding or other ceremony, at confirmation and remembrance services, at Wagga Wagga’s Christmas Spectacular and at certain fund-raisers.  We use many venues across Wagga Wagga and the choir has occasionally travelled beyond, whether to a regional eisteddfod or, as some years ago, even to Germany where the choir performed in our sister city. 

Who’s in Charge?  Our current musical director is Teresa English.  Carmel Ryan is our accompanist and several other people provide lesser levels of leadership in committee or other roles.

Rehearsal times  We usually practise at the Conservatorium on Monday nights during school term times.  7:00 to 9:00 pm.  In addition, for any major concert, there is a final practice and sound-check in the concert venue.

Cost The subsidised $108/term fee is paid in advance to the RCM. 

Do you have to be able to read music?  No – many people have joined without this.  However, it is a very useful skill to have.  So, do take the necessary steps to learn to read, at least to a basic level.  Here’s a start and, of course, there’s more on-line: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCqml0nGyFQ.

Do I buy my own music?  No.  We supply a copy of the print music.  You supply the pencil (for making notes on it) and the display folders you may choose to use in practice – a black folder is a good start!  We provide a uniform choral-design folder for performance use.

Something to listen to?  Often, but not always, Teresa provides an MP3 file with background piano accompaniment and your own part highlighted.  Members often share Internet links to full choral performances.  The MP3s are not a right – they are an ‘over and above’ benefit that, so far, Teresa has been able and willing to provide.

Commitment  The choir relies on having most of its members available for most events.  Personal circumstances are always acknowledged.  Ideally you will attend Monday night practice and spend some time during the week practising – or at least listening to the current MP3 tracks.  Sometimes a section of the choir will meet separately for extra practice (and clarity).

Uniform  Yes, there is one and we wear it for every event with appropriate variation for the Christmas Spectacular.  Details are supplied in a separate information sheet.