Welcome to the New Harmony Singers Website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be able to read music to join?
No you don’t need to be able to read music to join New Harmony. Within the group there are those who read music and others who don’t. We do suggest to new members that it is useful to bring a tape recorder or MP3 player to practice to help you learn your part if you do not read music, this will help you pick up your line quickly and give you the opportunity to practice at home too.

What do I need to be able to do to join?
You need to be able to hold a part and be able to sing in tune! The benefit about singing with a choir is that you are not necessarily expected to be a soloist, it’s not about how loud you can sing but the quality and blend of the choir as a whole. It’s the mix of all the voices together which create the sound

I don’t know whether I’m a soprano, alto, tenor or bass is that a problem?
Not at all. Should you like to join the group you would be invited to have a 2 minute test to sing some scales to find out which part you are best suited to, ie soprano or alto, tenor or bass. The test would be done after a practice when all members have left (usually to go to the club for a beer!) and Pam our Musical Director will take you through some easy scales to see your range and where it is comfortable for you to sing.

When do you practice?
New Harmony meet once a week to practice on a Sunday evening 7.30 – 9.30pm. We do very occasionally have a midweek practice or a part practice so one section will meet midweek than the whole choir. This may be before a recording or to learn some new music quickly. With our new members we would also invite you to an individual practice with one of the experienced choir members in their section and Pam to bring to bring you up to speed with the current repertoire as quickly as possible

What sort of music do you perform?
Everything from show songs such as numbers from ‘Les Miserables’ and ‘Chicago’ through Sinatra, Queen and Westlife to the Bach / Gounod Ave Maria for the girls whilst the boys sing ‘I Believe’ by the Bachelors and a bit of Welsh such as Ar Hyd Y Nos.
The range of music is broad with something for everyone. At Christmas we do a great version of ‘Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer’ amongst other things!

Is there a cost?
Members pay subs of £10.00 per month to go towards covering the cost of music, insurances, hall hire etc. We undertake regular fundraising activities which not only helps subsidise trips and tours but also are a part of our social calendar such are carnivals and race nights.

How many concerts does the choir do?
The choir averages one concert per month, some months such as August, we tend to avoid booking concerts because of peak holiday times. Other months there may be more than one concert, for example at Christmas.

How long before I can do a concert?
That’s very much down to you and how quickly you learn the music. Some new members are on stage in within weeks whilst others prefer a ‘bedding in’ period’. As soon as you feel comfortable and confident that you know your music then you can be let loose on an audience!

What is the make up the group?
We are a pretty eclectic group from 21 years old to 70! New Harmony is a mixed choir so we have ladies and gentlemen and a number of married couples too. Some of our members have been with New Harmony since the group formed.

How long has the group been together?
We celebrate our 30th Anniversary in 2009.

Do you do any trips and tours?
Yes as a group we have sung in Germany three times, America, Italy, various locations across the UK and we sang on the stage at Disneyland, Paris as a part of our 25th Anniversary celebrations. It was a fantastic experience!

Are there any social events?
As many as we can get in! These are formal and informal ranging from our annual dinner and social events after joint concerts with other choirs to a get together in the pub after practice or on a summer’s evening.

What do I do about choir uniform?
The choir organise outfits for the ladies and gentlemen and these will be provided for new members. Members do pay a ‘deposit’ or a contribution towards uniform. The deposit is returned should a member leave the group.

How is the Choir run?
The Choir is run by a Committee. There is a Chairperson, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Concert Secretary, Public Relations Officer and Section Reps. We also have other choir members who help out with dress, CD and tape sales, organising social events and welcoming and supporting new members.

How do I find out more about the choir?
Go to the contact us page on our site and drop us an email and we’d be very happy to have a chat to provide you with further information.

Can I sit in on a practice?
Yes, it will give you the opportunity to meet some of the members and get an idea of what we do and how we do it! Contact us first to check if there is any change in the practice schedule because of holidays, bank holidays and concerts.