FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About Us
Perth Pride Choir is an incorporated body and operates under a Constitution. Our members agree to abide by these aims:
- To positively represent the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer + (LGBTIQ+) community in Western Australia within the LGBTIQ+ and the wider community.
- To encourage and develop choral music skills of members to the highest possible standard regardless of previous musical skills or experience through rehearsals and performances.
- To provide a welcoming, safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all members of the LGBTIQ+ community and allies of this community.
- To build a strong and vibrant choir community through musical and social activities and interactions.
- To encourage Members of the Choir to have a participatory involvement with the Choir’s activities.
When and where are the rehearsals?
Rehearsals are 7pm – 9:15 pm every Thursday night at the Royal Park Hall, 180 Charles Street, West Perth (Corner of Vincent Street). Rehearsals include a short break for coffee or tea (provided by the Choir) and socialising. Sometimes members (voluntarily) bring in home bakes, which is always exciting!
Please try to get to rehearsals by 6.50pm so that we are ready to start singing at 7pm. This will give us time to welcome each other as we set up. We also understand that people have busy lives and sometimes will just have to get there just as soon as they can. If you are late, try and slip into your chair without too much disruption to the rehearsal.
What should I expect at rehearsal?
Rehearsals are where we learn the songs that we sing throughout the year and for the end of year concert. We start off each rehearsal with vocal warmups – they may feel a bit overwhelming at first but you will get the hang of it. Just listen to what the people around you are doing and then try to copy them. Besides warming your voice up to sing they are designed to help breath control, note pitching and general awareness of voice tuning.
Who will I meet?
On arrival, ask for the Membership Secretary. They’ll welcome you and help you work out where you should start. Rehearsals are led by our Musical Director, Mirelle Hopwood, and our accompanist is Sammy McSweeney. You can read about them on our website here and here. (You can find full links at the end of this document).
You’ll be introduced to some of your new choir-mates and they’ll assist you as you get used to singing in the Choir.
How can I help at rehearsals?
You can help in practical ways, and you can help by being prepared:
- Assist with setting up and packing up of chairs and cleaning up/washing up
- Bring your choir folder for every rehearsal along with a pencil and make (erasable) notes on your score to help learn and remember points Claire, the Musical Director, has made.
- Keeping chatter to an absolute minimum to respect Claire and other singers – this way we get through more material each week.
- It is common to feel a bit overwhelmed with the music at first. If you need help you can either put your hand up and ask Claire to go over something, or ask a confident member in your section for some guidance – please keep the noise down, sing your part quietly, try not to disrupt others, and you’ll soon get the hang of it.
Which part/section should I join?
If you are unsure which section of the choir to sing in, the parts (from highest voices to lowest) are Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass. Don’t be afraid to try different sections of the Choir to see where your voice best fits. If you are really not sure which part to sing, then speak with the Musical Director.
Where do I get the music?
Our Music Librarian has sets of the current material which will be loaned to you at rehearsals when you are visiting. Please return this music to the Music Librarian at the end of the rehearsal.
When you join the Choir and have paid your fees, you will be provided with a music box with all the music for the year as well as some music we call “core repertoire”. You can take this box home for practising outside of rehearsals.
Please note: All music and storage boxes issued to choir members are the property of PERTH PRIDE CHOIR and must be returned when requested by the committee.
Do I have to perform in public?
Performances are optional, but many members choose to perform as it’s fun!
Most of our performances are undertaken without our sheet music. You will be informed if music is allowed at a particular performance, but this is unusual.
If members wish to perform, they are strongly encouraged to learn all songs so they can sing them with confidence. Learning the words as soon as you can is always very helpful.
Regular practice outside of rehearsals will support your learning. To help you, many of the songs are recorded in the member area of the website. (Text links are at the end of this document.)
Some members find recording rehearsals on their phone is useful. This allows them to practice with the recordings outside of rehearsal.
At times, a section may organise a rehearsal outside of the regular rehearsal schedule. You are strongly encouraged to attend these sectional rehearsals as they are an opportunity to fine tune your singing.
Expectations for performing
We always have an end of year concert, usually in early in December, with an afternoon and evening performance on a Saturday.
We are often asked to sing at other events during the year. We cannot predict when and where these performances will be. The Choir will only sing if we have enough singers and a balance of singers across the sections.
To perform at the end of year concert you are required to attend the last four rehearsals prior to the performance unless you have discussed your situation with the Musical Director.
To sign at other performances you need to attend the rehearsal prior to the performance and must know the songs that will be sung.
For the end of year performance if you are not confident with any particular number, discuss this with the Musical Director or with a committee member.
Performance Attire
Perth Pride Choir have a polo shirt and a dress shirt that we wear at performances, according to the nature of the event.
The casual polo shirt is black with turquoise side panels and worn for less formal performances like Pride Fair Day. Our black dress shirt is worn at more formal performances like the Fringe Festival, Perth Concert Hall and our end of year concert.
We encourage members to purchase both shirts if they wish to perform with Perth Pride Choir as we want to look our best. The polo shirt is significantly subsidised and the cost to members is only $20. The dress shirt is $45. If you are unable to purchase the dress shirt, or you miss a shirt order, it is expected you will wear a similar, smart, black shirt to perform. You will also need black trousers and shoes.
For our end of year concert, we tend to have a special costume which each member organises (such as wearing certain colours).
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Yes, I want to sign up!!
When you decide to join the Choir, you will need to;
Fees
Term fees are collected each semester. They help cover additional costs such as hall hire, musical director, accompanist, etc. Each semester is about 5 months long, with Semester 1 generally from late January through June and Semester 2 from July through early December.
Pro-rata semester fees are assessed if you join part-way through a semester.
Member fees only partly cover Choir expenses. Fundraising and paid performances are also very important income sources. The Choir therefore relies on members to actively assist with fundraising activities and selling concert tickets.
Fees are set at the Annual General Meeting, which is usually held in early February. Although fee increases are always kept to a minimum, fees may change as a result of decisions at the AGM.
If you have any questions about the fees, or if you have any difficulties meeting the financial requirements please talk to the Treasurer. We will do our best to work out an arrangement that allows you to be a member of Perth Pride Choir.
How will I know what’s going on?
The Choir uses a variety of communication mediums:
Digital:
Fundraising Opportunities
The costs of running the Choir are substantial. To help cover costs we regularly engage in fundraising activities such as an annual sausage sizzle, selling Cadbury chocolates, an annual raffle and sometimes a quiz night. We encourage members to help with fundraising activities whenever possible.
The committee understands this may not always be possible for some members, so there is an optional $70 fundraising contribution for members who instead wish to help that way.
In 2023, fundraising helped subsidise Choir attendance at the Out & Loud & Proud event in Sydney. Everyone benefits from fundraising!
Events and Activities
The Choir regularly engages in events and activities which may be held outside of Perth. These provide opportunities for social gatherings as well as organised activities which may include formal performances. Some of the organised activities we have undertaken in the past include:
You are invited to attend any/all of these away events! They are a great way to get to know other members better 😊
The Committee
The committee is here to support the running of the choir, including helping new members find their feet. Committee members will make themselves known to new members.
A list of committee members and their roles can be found here, which you can access once you have become a full member.
When you decide to join the Choir, you will need to;
- Fill in the Perth Pride Choir Membership Form online on our website. A paper form is available on request.
- Pay the applicable Term Fee (full or concessional) by electronic funds transfer.
Fees
Term fees are collected each semester. They help cover additional costs such as hall hire, musical director, accompanist, etc. Each semester is about 5 months long, with Semester 1 generally from late January through June and Semester 2 from July through early December.
Pro-rata semester fees are assessed if you join part-way through a semester.
Member fees only partly cover Choir expenses. Fundraising and paid performances are also very important income sources. The Choir therefore relies on members to actively assist with fundraising activities and selling concert tickets.
Fees are set at the Annual General Meeting, which is usually held in early February. Although fee increases are always kept to a minimum, fees may change as a result of decisions at the AGM.
If you have any questions about the fees, or if you have any difficulties meeting the financial requirements please talk to the Treasurer. We will do our best to work out an arrangement that allows you to be a member of Perth Pride Choir.
How will I know what’s going on?
The Choir uses a variety of communication mediums:
Digital:
- Fortnightly newsletter emails – please read these! You will automatically start receiving newsletters when your fees are paid. The newsletter is the official channel for all information about being in the Choir.
- Private member area on our website – your one stop shop for everything Choir related:. When you start your membership you will receive an email allowing you to set your password to access this private area. On joining, you are encouraged to give us a photo and short bio for the member directory in the private area of the website.
- Private member group on Facebook - to be added you need to be friended by a committee member.
- Messenger chat group Perth Pride Choir members only (optional) - a Committee member will invite you if you want to join. This is an informal chat space.
- Perth Pride Choir public Facebook page – follow the group yourself if you wish, and help promote our events.
- Members receive a name badge and are encouraged to wear badges during rehearsals.
- Face-to-face information at weekly rehearsals.
Fundraising Opportunities
The costs of running the Choir are substantial. To help cover costs we regularly engage in fundraising activities such as an annual sausage sizzle, selling Cadbury chocolates, an annual raffle and sometimes a quiz night. We encourage members to help with fundraising activities whenever possible.
The committee understands this may not always be possible for some members, so there is an optional $70 fundraising contribution for members who instead wish to help that way.
In 2023, fundraising helped subsidise Choir attendance at the Out & Loud & Proud event in Sydney. Everyone benefits from fundraising!
Events and Activities
The Choir regularly engages in events and activities which may be held outside of Perth. These provide opportunities for social gatherings as well as organised activities which may include formal performances. Some of the organised activities we have undertaken in the past include:
- A weekend social choir camp – often held at Nanga – lots of singing and fun, and no performances
- Out & Loud & Proud (held interstate or in NZ every three years) – performances and a lot of fun
- Social activities throughout the year.
You are invited to attend any/all of these away events! They are a great way to get to know other members better 😊
The Committee
The committee is here to support the running of the choir, including helping new members find their feet. Committee members will make themselves known to new members.
A list of committee members and their roles can be found here, which you can access once you have become a full member.