Wrablers
Object
To set up a small chamber choir composed of no more than 20, and ideally approximately 12-16 people , meeting weekly, to sing close harmony songs. The group will be self-selecting and each member will be comfortable holding a part alone, and occasionally performing solo or as a lead singer with backing singers.
Songlines
The group is not in competition with Songlines. It will therefore not meet on Monday or Wednesday evenings if at all possible.
Membership
Members will be self-selecting but all members will be willing to work in small groups (duos, trios, quartets) and comfortable holding a part on their own and being the only voice on a part, or at least willing to give this a go.
Recruitment
Initially, new members will join by invitation only, and must be able to conform to groundrules as set out below. As the choir matures, other methods of acquiring new members will need to be explored.
New members will be invited to attend a rehearsal and join us in the pub afterwards (we want people who are good to sing with AND good to socialise with). In advance of their first rehearsal, potential members will be sent a part to suit their voice for a song which is part of our repertoire and asked to perform it with three others on the night. For example, we might use Parting Glass and send a potential bass singer the bass part to sing along with one soprano, one alto and one tenor.
Groundrules
The group is intended for experienced choral singers who want to improve their technique and ability to sing close harmony in small groups. Therefore singers must be able to hold a part alone (i.e. in a four-part harmony song, they must be able to sing, for example, the alto part alone).
Members undertake to take responsibility for their own learning and practice, and to attend rehearsals on a regular basis. Members will maintain their own portfolio of song sheets/lyrics/recordings from which to learn.
The group may additionally provide a forum for members to have a go at singing solo, or as lead singer with the others as backing.
If members are unable to attend rehearsals on a regular basis, it is hoped that they will cede their place in the choir to another potential member who can attend more often.
Management
It is proposed that the group be run as a collective, with decisions being made on a consensus-driven and egalitarian basis. (Although group management will be kept to a minimum and singing to a maximum.)
A small sub group of members (perhaps on a rotating basis) will undertake the admin and management roles necessary to ensure the smooth running of the choir.
We may wish to appoint a permanent chair for rehearsals, or we may want to keep rotating the task.
The choir has a website for the sharing of MP3s and other teaching materials at http://www.hand-madewithlove.co.uk/wordpress/. Any member may upload material to this website, but its contents are not to be shared with non-Wrablers.
A public-facing website is under construction at www.wrablers.co.uk. This will be used for publicity purposes – recruiting new members and to showcase our work to potential bookers. This is currently free as it runs as part of one of my existing sites.
Repertoire
The group will undertake to sing a good eclectic mix of songs drawn from many different musical traditions, including, but not restricted to, jazz, folk, celtic, E European, gospel, African.
Members are actively encouraged to offer songs for the repertoire and to undertake to teach parts to other members. This is intended to
a) enrich the repertoire
b) develop members’ skills in teaching and learning
c) develop confidence
d) share the responsibility for repertoire
e) allow members to share songs they love and ensure something for everyone in the repertoire.
Religious songs are not forbidden, but the repertoire will never consist of mainly, or only, religious songs at any given time.
Performances
The group will actively seek performance opportunities. All members are encouraged to look for local opportunities for performance opportunities.
It is proposed to book The George Orwell three times a year for a performance, but other opportunities will also be needed.
Musical Director
We may wish eventually to appoint a Musical Director to teach the choir and provide most of the songs and arrangements.
If this happens, the Musical Director will be an experienced teacher who is able to arrange and teach a varied repertoire of songs from across a range of musical traditions.
If at all possible, a Musical Director who is comfortable doing improvised work will be preferred.
Costs
If we appoint a Musical Director, fees will need to be paid termly in advance to give the Musical Director assured income. It is anticipated that the weekly cost will be approximately £9 per class.
Since there is currently no Musical Director, attendance is free, but we may wish to consider paying a small annual fee (say £5.00) to cover costs of things like purchasing sheet music, small percussion instruments, metronomes or other tools, CDs/DVDs etc.
To keep costs to a minimum, members will be encouraged to investigate possible venues for hire/to borrow at their workplaces (as appropriate). Alternatively members might offer their homes as rehearsal spaces (particularly in the early stages). Other possibilities, such as upstairs rooms in pubs, will be explored.
Item Proposal
Object of Group Vote to approve Object of Wrablers as outlined above
Membership Vote to approve conditions of membership
Recruitment Vote to approve method of recruitment
Groundrules Vote to approve groundrules
Performances Vote to agree to keep seeking performance opportunities
Vote whether to charge an appearance fee
Musical Director Vote to
1) have no musical director and proceed as we are
2) find and audition a musical director
3) have no musical director but recruit tutors “from time to time” eg Polly and possibly others
Repertoire Vote to approve repertoire as proposed
Fees Vote to approve subscription at £5.00 per annum
Management Vote to approve management arrangements
1) vote on rotation of chair or permanent appointment
2)
Rehearsals Vote to move to weekly rehearsals OR
Vote to keep fortnightly rehearsal with one monthly all day weekend rehearsal
AOB