Joining Bedford Choral Society

We are always looking for new singers in all voice parts!

Hallelujah Chorus rehearsal and interviews

The video has interviews with members of the choir, as well as some episodes of rehearsal.

Here’s what some of our members say about their decision to join us!

“It was the best thing I’ve done for many years. I was made to feel very welcome and since the first rehearsal I have loved every second.” Caroline Muzolf

“I have learnt and enjoyed such a range of music since joining the choir, have loved the singing and made lots of friends” Carole Bell

“Under the genial guidance of our Musical Director, I quickly discovered my voice and, in the alto ranks, my future wife … the membership subscription for that year was particularly good value when one considers the fees charged by dating agencies!” Peter Thomas

“I love the wide repertoire we sing, and Monday evenings are truly as highlight of my week” Jane Dann

“I still get the same tingle down my spine 27 years later [after joining] as I did at my very first rehearsal. It’s that moment when you start to sing and 100+ other voices join in! Being a member has definitely been a life enhancing experience.” Ruth Braybrook

“We have sung some wonderful pieces of music and in addition to the formal concerts there have been Chamber Choir events… the Bass section of the choir is often regarded as the ‘naughty boys’ where there is always fun and good humour.”

Come and try us out!

It’s a good idea to come to a rehearsal to get an idea of what it’s like to sing with us. So that we know to expect and welcome you, just drop an email in advance to our Chorus Secretary membership@bedfordchoralsociety.org.uk.

Auditions

We sing as an 8-voice-part choir and to ensure that a singer’s voice part matches their vocal range new members are auditioned after attending a couple of rehearsals. The audition, just with our Musical Director Ian, is a reassuringly informal and unscary experience! It will confirm your ability to hold a tune, read music and sight-sing at a fairly basic level. You will then be allocated to the most appropriate voice part for your voice.

Rehearsals

We rehearse every Monday evening from 7.15 until 9.15 in term time (and sometimes on bank holidays and during part of the summer too). We meet at Biddenham International School, Biddenham Turn, Biddenham, Bedford MK40 4AZ.

Rehearsals are enjoyable and sociable, incorporating warm-ups and “note bashing” as well as sing-throughs to build our confidence in sight-singing. There’s always a short break half way through, giving us a chance to chat, and once a term or so we have a refreshment break with hot drinks and cakes.

From time to time we organise coaching workshops led by professional singers with the aim of improving our technique.

Membership fee

There is an annual membership subscription. Currently a single membership is £141 and a double is £250.  Members under 25 and in full-time education are asked to pay £69. For students still at school, there is no charge for membership (but a returnable cash deposit is required, to ensure return of music). The subscription includes music hire.

In cases of financial difficulty, we can usually work something out so please don’t let that put you off singing with us!