Frequently Asked Questions
WHO
Decibellas is a choir of over 70 members for upper voices (adults only) based in and around Tarporley in Cheshire. We sing a broad range of music including classical, choral, gospel, pop, jazz and musical theatre. We are a registered charity.
WHERE
We rehearse at The Chapel, High Street, Tarporley. There is plenty of parking in the Community Centre car park directly opposite the Chapel.
WHEN
We meet every Thursday from 7.30-9.30pm in term time.
DO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO READ MUSIC?
You don’t need to be able to read music and, in fact, several members of the choir can’t read music. Of course, if you can, it will certainly help as we learn new pieces quite quickly.
DO I HAVE TO AUDITION?
No – we are a non-audition choir. When a space becomes available, you will be invited to attend a taster session. Our Music Director, Marcus Williams, will place you in a section based on where you think your voice will fit best. He will listen to you singing within the choir and, if you are keen to join, will also hear you sing privately to place you in the right section so that we maintain the right balance of voices for our choir. We don't expect you to be able to sing like Katherine Jenkins but, as we sing in 3 or 4 parts, being able to sing in tune is fundamental to the sound we are striving to create.
DO YOU HAVE A WAITING LIST?
We do have a waiting list so please register your interest in joining the choir using the form on the Contact page. If you can let us know a bit about your musical background (please don’t worry if you don’t have any!) and what part you tend to sing if you have sung in choirs before, we will add you to the waiting list and be in touch when a place becomes available.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
Each rehearsal is a lot of fun (as well as being hard work!) and we often leave with a smile on our faces, still humming the songs we’ve rehearsed and having enjoyed time with other enthusiastic singers. Singing is a fantastic hobby with many health benefits. It builds confidence, reduces stress and anxiety and raises endorphins.
WHAT THE CHOIR ASKS FROM YOU
Commitment to rehearsals is essential. We are always working towards a performance or competition, so need consistency from members to allow the choir to move forward. We have several events – competitions/performances/concerts – each year and expect members to make the majority of performance events as dates are put out well in advance.
We also sing without music for performances so we expect members to put in effort in their own time outside of rehearsals for learning notes and words. Section Leaders usually arrange 1 or 2 sectional rehearsals to note-bash prior to concerts.
If you can’t make a rehearsal, we ask you to let your section leader know beforehand.
We also hold social gatherings for choir members in summer and at Christmas and these are great opportunities to get to know the rest of the choir better.
We ask that, when not singing, members are quiet to enable our Music Directors to teach other parts. There is a 10-minute break during each rehearsal when you can chat with other members.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME?
Enthusiasm, a sense of humour – and a water bottle!
SUBSCRIPTION
Subscription fees are paid within the first three weeks of every term. The cost of this is £55 which includes hall hire, music and other additional running costs.
MUSIC
Sheet music will be provided to you as part of your membership. It is your responsibility to look after this and you will pay a deposit which will be returned if you leave the choir and return your music in reusable condition. If lost, additional copies will need to be purchased. Music will be handed out when you 'officially' join the choir.
UNIFORM
The choir has an official uniform (which can be seen in our website photo gallery) when performing in formal settings. You will need to purchase that dress (at cost) and return it if you leave the choir.