Question 1

How do I join?

Accepted Answer

You can join Big Noise Chorus by using the form on our Join Us page.

Please  note - some of our choirs are full and have a waiting list.

Everyone who would like to join Big Noise Chorus can come along to their first  session as a no obligation 'taster' session. If you love it (and we know  you will!) then you can make payment online or at your second session.
After you have registered your interest for your chosen choir we will contact you with further information and to let you know whether there will be a wait before you can come along.

If you are unable to use the form you can email the facilitator of your chosen choir. The contact details for each choir can be found here.

Question 2

Can I come for a taster session to see if I like it?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!

Everyone who joins Big Noise Chorus can come along to their first session as a no obligation 'taster' session. If you love it (and we know  you will!) then you can make payment online or at your second session.

After you  have registered your interest for your chosen choir we will contact you with further information and to let you know whether there will be a wait before you can come along.
You can register your interest to join Big Noise Chorus by using the form on our Join Us page.

Please  note - some of our choirs are full and have a waiting list.

If you are unable to use the form you can email the facilitator of your chosen choir. The contact details for each choir can be found here.

Question 3

Do I have to audition or read music?

Accepted Answer

There are no auditions so anyone can join - regardless of experience.
We sing a variety of styles of music from Pop and Rock through to World music. Songs are taught by ear so you don't have to read music.
Through our unique and inclusive coaching methods we create a relaxed  environment where even the most reluctant of singers will find that they have the ability to shine.

Question 4

I don't know what voice part I am!

Accepted Answer

Don't worry! Unless you have sung with a choir before it's unlikely you will know for certain which voice part you are. 
Big Noise Chorus usually separates into 4 voice parts: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass. 
Generally speaking Sopranos are the higher pitched female voices, Altos are the mid to lower female voices, Tenors are the higher pitched male voices and low female voices and Basses are the lower pitched male voices.

The best way to find out what voice part you are is to come along and sing! Voice parts are not fixed for each member and after singing with us for a while you may find that your voice part changes as your voice strengthens.

Question 5

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

The membership fee for Big Noise Chorus is £80 per term.

We have three terms per year which roughly follow school terms. We do not normally have rehearsals in the school holidays, including half terms, but sometimes if we have a performance very early in a term, we may call 1 or 2 rehearsals just before such a concert. Rehearsals total 33 weeks over an academic year. Some terms are longer than others (mostly due to the moveable nature of Easter), but the termly charge remains the same throughout the year to avoid a changing and confusing pay structure.

Fees are billed in advance and payment is due by the second week of term.

Question 6

Do I have to perform?

Accepted Answer

That is entirely your choice!

Each Big Noise Chorus performs concerts individually as well as combining forces with other choirs or music groups. Every so often we bring all our members together for large scale exciting concerts.
All of our concerts support charities and as of 2024 we have jointly raised over £110,000 for various charities.

Participation in concerts is a personal choice. We ask members to sign up to take part only if they want to.

We normally support a charity and use local support acts.

Question 7

Will I need to buy a uniform?

Accepted Answer

There is no specific uniform for Big Noise Chorus performances. However, performers are asked to follow a simple Dress Code – usually following a colour theme. Generally the colour code is plain blues and blacks for formal concerts, and sometimes we have a casual dress code which is more relaxed.
Advice is given at rehearsals and online and examples of the appropriate code are normally shown on notice boards.
Examples may also be seen on Facebook.

Question 8

Can I take a term off?

Accepted Answer

We understand that sometimes members have other commitments or situations that mean they can't attend the majority of sessions in a term. Our standard policy is that you must pay for the term to keep your place, even if you can't attend. This is because some of our choirs are full and we have waiting lists.

However, in some circumstances we may be able to hold a place open for a term without payment so we would ask that you contact your choir facilitator if you need to take time off.

Question 9

Can I join part way through a term?

Accepted Answer

As a general rule we would advise joining at the start of a term so you don't have to catch up on learning songs you may have missed. 
However, everyone learns at different speeds so we would recommend that you fill in the form on our Join Us page and then your choir facilitator can get in touch.

Question 10

Do you have access and facilities for disabled members?

Accepted Answer

We try to ensure that our choir rehearsals and concerts are held in venues that have disabled access and facilities on site. If you have any questions or specific questions please get in touch.

FAQs