Mainesong Choir
Page Contents
Mainesong is a Community Choir based in Castlemaine.
We have broad tastes and a wide repertoire – classical, jazz, latin, pop, beyond baroque, and in different languages, Portuguese, Greek, Sephardic, English, Welsh, mostly in 4-part harmonies.
The Choir is made up of its members, rehearsing regularly and performing with the guidance of our Artistic Director, Wendy Rowlands.
Mainesong is managed by its Steering Group, currently four members. Any member is welcome to join this Group. If you have questions about the choir ask any one of the Steering Group, we’re happy to chat.
Steering Group
- Sue Bruce 0434 934 296
- Virginia Harkin 0438 336 801
- Simon Veitch 0425 855 487
- Barry Thomson 0418 524 488
email choir.mainesong@gmail.com
Choir Website
mainesong.xyz
Resources for the Choir – scores, YouTube clips, practice tracks, etc.
If you need reminding of relevant Choir dates and times, check the website …
The front page of the website shows the current rehearsal dates and times, performance dates, repertoire lists etc, as they become available.
Last Minute information is also placed on the front page.
Scores Gallery
The Scores Gallery holds the scores and lyrics of songs we’re working on. You can download and print any of the scores in the Gallery.
The Gallery is password protected. Ask and we will tell!
Please let us know if you do not have access to a printer.
New Members
We really like welcoming new members and new voices to the group, and your first evening with Mainesong is free.
Some of our members had no previous singing experience when they joined, some had been singing since they were kids. Irrespective of your previous experience, we encourage all new members to try at least three rehearsal sessions so as to give yourself time to check out the songs, have a sing, ask questions, and then decide if we’re what you want. There’s a lot going on during a rehearsal and for anyone new to the group it’s a more relaxed approach to take that three weeks to get your bearings.
There’s no need to find and print all the scores before you start – we’ll buddy you with someone for the first few weeks.
Mainesong Yearly Calendar
Rehearsals
- Once a week on Wednesdays 6.50 to 9.00pm during school Terms.
- Campbells Creek Bowling Club
Virginia holds the key and opens and shuts the venue.
All hands to assist setting up chairs prior to rehearsal, and putting chairs and tables away when we’re done, but if you have to get away then do so!
The Choir follows the Academic year, mostly. You can count on there being four Terms in our year, following the Victorian Schools calendar.
We sometimes adjust our calendar to accommodate good planning and performances, but this is discussed well in advance.
Time & Place
- Wednesdays evenings during School Terms
- Arrive 6.50 for a 7.00pm start
- Finish at 9.00pm
- Campbells Creek Bowling Club
Performances
Singing is a wonderful thing, and music is a performance art. Our Choir rehearsals are hugely enjoyable in their own right, and performance, singing in concert, is just magic.
We generally plan concerts for Mid Year at the end of Term 2, and at end of Term 4 late November early December. We may have Pop-up Performances at Festival time, or other, depending on times and circumstance.
Choir Fees & Payments
Choir fees are $15 per rehearsal, invoiced twice per Term.
Payments can be made by bank transfer direct to the Choir’s bank account, the details of which can be found on the invoice.
The Roll – Please tick the box!
The Rehearsal Attendance Sheet (Roll) is kept on the ‘sign in’ table.
Current members are listed, with their current account balances and attendance.
We use an ‘open accounting system’, meaning we can all see and check our current balance at any time.
The system is trust-based and depends on individual members putting a tick on the Attendance Sheet at each rehearsal.
If you know you’ll miss future sessions it’s useful to write an ‘A’ for absence/apology at the relevant dates. It helps us keep track of the voices: we know a few people who are currently overseas and look forward to their return later in the term.
Keeping a Roll is a requirement for our CCBC insurance cover.
Info in a Folder
We keep a folder of current information on the ‘sign in’ table – you’ll see it there on rehearsal evenings.
The Folder is for your use and your feedback is welcome. This is a good place if you have music ideas, suggestions, need a membership form or an info sheet for a friend! Also, for any suggestions you may have for music for the Choir.
Tea Breaks & the Kitchen
- Singing is thirsty work and it’s good to BYO water bottle.
- We have a 10 -15 min tea break during rehearsals.
- We use our own tea box and tea towels and always leave the kitchen as we found it.
- Hand sanitizer and disinfectant is kept in the small office off the hall.