Things To Consider When Joining A Choir

Choirs are the best. I’ve been in choirs since I was eleven years old and have run my own community choir for the past 15 years. As we leave our fortnightly rehearsal, the choir members and I often remark that we were in a bad mood when we arrived, but after 60 minutes of singing we feel refreshed, content and positive. I hear the same from friends in choirs all the time. 

The benefits of singing in a choir have also been researched and found to have a profound effect on mental health and brain function  (you can read about it here). But every choir has a unique style or flavour. How do you know which one will work for you? Here are a few things to consider or ask about before you join a new choir.

How Often Does the Choir Rehearse?

It’s a good start to find out how often choirs rehearse and for how long. This can also give you an insight into how serious the choir is. If a choir rehearses for 2-3 hours every week, it’s probably for high-level choristers rather than just a fun get-together. 

Similarly, memberships and attendance requirements differ. Some choirs will be drop-in, pay as you go and some will require you to pay for the term or the year. 

Again, this conveys something about how formal the choir is and that’s something to consider. If you are an experienced chorister looking for a serious, high-level choir then a fortnightly drop-in group probably won’t cut it for you. Likewise, if you just want to get together for some group singing without too much pressure a drop-in group might suit you perfectly. 

How Often Does the Choir Perform?

Another thing to consider is whether the group performs, how often and whether you will be required to participate. Every group will have its own performance requirements. Some may not perform at all, and that might be just the thing you’re looking for. On the flip side, some may have regular performances and that might be something you like to do or something that keeps you motivated. 

Do They Use Sheet Music Or Learn By Ear?

Another important question to ask yourself is how you like to learn. Some choirs require a high level of musical literacy - i.e. the ability to sight-read music. If this is something you love to do, then getting together with a group of people who also sight-read is truly wonderful.

However, many choirs learn entirely by ear or with sheets of lyrics. They often post recordings of parts online so you can listen back or practice in advance. And some choirs do a mix of learning by ear and sight-reading, with no expectation to be proficient in either and a willingness to help you learn to sight-sing.

How Big Is The Choir?

Choirs come in all sizes. Some people might like to go along to a huge group of 200 singers and get lost in the enormous sound. Others might like a smaller group where they are able to meet people and make connections. Either way, it’s worth asking what the regular number of attendees at rehearsals is if you have a preference. 

How Much Does It Cost?

Choirs have different costs and payment structures. They may require an upfront fee for a term or they might just be pay as you go. There are also some choirs around that are free of charge. 

What Sort Of Music Do They Sing?

Again, there is so much variety in choirs as to the sort of repertoire they work on. Some are exclusively classical or liturgical, others are almost exclusively modern music. Some are gospel choirs and some sing specific cultural music. A lot of choirs sing a mix of music but can also give you an idea of whether their repertoire skews in a particular way. 

So, which choir is best for you?

This is an impossible question, but hopefully the above gives you some insight into the sort of things you might enquire about. You might find it’s simpler than the above - you just want the choir the shortest distance from you, or the one at which you already know someone. And the other important element, that undefinable character that each choir has, the “vibe” if you will. And that’s why sometimes the best thing you can do is just jump in and try out a rehearsal to see if it’s the right group for you. 

If you’re in Melbourne, this page is a good resource for choirs around the place. Or if you would like to book in a singing lesson to prepare you for choir or work through things like sight-reading or singing in harmony, you can click HERE.