Membership Policy
Purpose
Choir is fun and friendly and we want to keep that feeling all the time we’re at choir and doing choir things!
The purpose of our membership policy is to strengthen, maintain and enhance the fun, exciting, vibrant and positive atmosphere of Soul of the City Choir by outlining our core values and standards of performance and behaviour for all our Choir Members, Volunteers, Associates and the Soul of the City Choir team and Choir/Musical Director (the SOTC team).
Privacy
Information such as name, email address, postal address and phone number, given to Soul of the City Choir when joining, will be added to our membership and mailing list. This enables us to send you information relevant to your Soul of the City Choir membership and events. For more details see our Privacy Policy.
Health and safety guidelines
We really care about our community and staying well so that we can sing in full voice. Please read our safety guidelines using the link below. This is how we will be operating and ask all singers to agree to and follow these guidelines at each rehearsal and at any gigs, please read our Health & Safety Guidelines.
Accessibility and inclusivity
Soul of the City Choir values diversity and celebrates individuality. We will not unlawfully discriminate or exclude on the basis of individual characteristics, ethnicity, gender, sexuality or disability.
We do our best to ensure that all rehearsals and gigs are held in venues that are accessible to people with disabilities. If you have any requirements please drop us a line a soulofthecitychoir@live.com and we’ll work with you to find a solution so that you can relax, and enjoy singing!
Choir communication
When joining Soul of the City Choir you are entering into a contract with us which includes receiving regular communication regarding the choir and its activities. This will include information on guide vocals and learning materials, rehearsal/event/gig details and occasional service management messages.
We have detailed FAQs and Choir Info sheets (these are in the membership area, we’ll give you details at the start of term) with all the information that you will need for the term. We ask that if you have a query to please check these documents or your weekly Friday email first as it is likely that your question will have been asked and answered there.
If you can’t find your answer, please talk to our Choir volunteer team at rehearsal. We are very rarely on email so questions directed there may take a week or more to be replied to.
We will communicate with Choir Members predominantly during choir rehearsals.
In addition to this we will also use email and our social media platforms. You’re free to opt out at any time. Please note, if you choose to opt out, we can’t be held responsible for any loss incurred by not receiving Soul of the City Choir communications. You can opt back in at any time by emailing soulofthecitychoir@live.com
Membership
Soul of the City Choir is an un-auditioned inclusive choir, everyone is welcome above the age of 18. In rare circumstances people younger than 18 may be given the opportunity to join, this is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of the SOTC team.
There are two separate choirs running consecutively on Monday and Tuesday evenings.
Where places are available there is opportunity to join both choirs. Monday and Tuesday choirs sing songs from the Soul of the City Choir repertoire which are decided by the Choir/Musical Director. If you join both choirs please note that although Monday and Tuesday choirs sometimes sing different songs, there are terms where both choirs may sing some or all of the same songs. If you are unsure, please check the choir term information.
Due to high demand we are unable to swap membership between choirs.
Your membership includes:
Weekly rehearsals
Access to voice parts, lyrics and musical scores of your individual harmony part
Opportunity to audition for solos – where there solos available for the term
Opportunity to partake in planned events throughout the term outside of choir rehearsals and the end of term gig
Soul of the City Choir usually has 3 terms throughout the year – Spring / Summer / Autumn.
Should Soul of the City Choir need to cancel any rehearsals for reasons outside of our control, we will endeavour to provide alternative/extra rehearsal time over the remaining weeks. We are unable to offer a refund in this case but will ensure that as much notice as possible is given.
Attendance is an important part of your Membership. If you are not able to attend a rehearsal, please notify Soul of the City Choir, and please rehearse at home so that you’re up to speed on your return. When we are singing in person, if you miss more than 3 rehearsals in the term, please let us know if you still wish to be part of the end of term gig.
The weekly email will provide information on everything covered in rehearsal and the materials in your membership area contain everything you need for happy practicing!
Sign in for choir rehearsal opens between 15 and 20 minutes (depending on the venue) before the start of rehearsals to give everyone a chance to get settled in and ready to sing! We ask that each week you remain until the Choir/Musical Director has indicated the rehearsal has finished, including rare occasions when there may be reason for the rehearsal to over-run.
Should you have an emergency which means you cannot stay until the end of rehearsal please communicate this to Soul of the City Choir as early as possible, either via email or before the rehearsal start time. In instances where you’ve notified us of early leave, please respectfully wait for an appropriate opportunity to exit to ensure as little disruption as possible to Choir Members and the Director.
Where there are terms with solos, all Choir Members will have the opportunity to audition. Auditions will either be before or after rehearsal and information regarding these will be provided through our usual communication channels. If you fancy it, give it a go!
There may be opportunities to take part in events under the banner of Soul of the City Choir outside of the weekly rehearsals and termly gigs, these may require auditions. We will let you know of these exciting opportunities as they arise.
Music and ideas
As part of your Soul of the City Choir membership, you are given access to arrangements, harmonies and resources. When joining Soul of the City Choir and by taking part in our rehearsals, performances and events you agree that our resources, techniques and ideas will not be used, copied or replicated at any other event, to any other group or in any other venue.
Some arrangements are from outside arrangers. We don’t have authority to give permission for outside arrangers’ work to be used and ask that you contact them directly to fall in line with licensing laws. The other arrangements are the property of Soul of the City Choir. On occasion, at the Choir/Musical Director’s discretion, we provide these for a fee; if there is an arrangement you’d like to use please email soulofthecitychoir@live.com.
Performances
We ask that you provide your own outfit for each gig. Changes to this may occur and you will be notified through the relevant communication channels should this be the case.
Sound checks and dress rehearsals are a vital part of the gig and need to be attended to ensure the smooth running and high-quality experience and performance of the show, not attending sound check and / or dress rehearsal may result in being asked not to perform.
Photography and filming
Our gigs are so much fun and we want to share the love! All our gigs are recorded, some are filmed and/or photographed. This is to help spread the word about the great benefits of choir and singing and so that you can enjoy the fruits of your excellent work! By joining Soul of the City Choir you are giving consent for us to capture you in footage and use this within performance videos, publicity pictures and occasionally, editorials.
Behaviour
As a member of Soul of the City Choir you are representing Soul of the City Choir at all of our rehearsals and events. To help maintain the fun, welcoming and positive atmosphere of choir we expect that everyone; Members, Director, Admin team and all our associates and collaborators are treated with respect and kindness at all times.
Please understand that to ensure the smooth running of rehearsals and performances and for everyone’s enjoyment, the decisions and instructions of Soul of the City Choir must be entirely respected and followed at all times.
It is the priority of Soul of the City Choir to be able to provide all members with a safe and secure experience while at rehearsals and performances. It is also imperative that you take responsibility for your own welfare and behaviour and also be aware and respectful of others around you. Should you have any worries or concerns please discuss these with us.
Soul of the City cannot accept responsibility for the security of personal possessions including phones, cameras, or other personal belongings.
By joining Soul of the City Choir, you are agreeing to and understand this policy. Soul of the City Choir will not tolerate:
Any form of bullying, harassment, disrespect or unkindness
Any negativity or insult spoken to or about Choir Members or SOTC team collaborators and associates
Any form of physical, mental or sexual abuse towards others
The use or possession of drugs
The possession of offensive weapons
If you witness or experience any form of behaviour outlined above, please contact us immediately. This will be treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality and will be dealt with appropriately as is necessary to the individual case.
Anybody found to be participating in any of the above will immediately have their membership reviewed and where the issue cannot be resolved participants will be asked to leave, without refund.
Payment
Membership fees to Soul of the City Choir may change and you will be notified of any changes in advance.
Full term fee payment secures your Membership, we cannot reserve places. This must be received within 2 weeks after your first session, failing which we reserve the right to cancel your membership.
Cancellation Policy
You have the right to cancel this agreement at any time with the minimum commitment period being one full term of 10/11 weeks (depending on the term). If you decide to leave before the end of term refunds/partial refunds cannot be given.
In exceptional circumstances, we may offer a transfer to an alternative term, however this is not guaranteed and is subject to availability. If a transfer is possible, a £20 administration fee will be charged.
Soul of the City Choir reserves the right to amend the Membership Policy at any time. All final decisions are made by the Choir/Musical Director – Vanessa. Should you wish to speak to us about your Membership please email soulofthecitychoir@live.com