Royal School of Church Music

Midland, South Wales & South-West Cathedral Singers

2008/09 Season

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Last Updated: 11 Aug 2008

General Information  information and forms etc for 2008/09 Season below [read below then click to obtain]!

The RSCM MSW&SW Cathedral Singers is a formal group of choristers from RSCM affiliated choirs [or individual RSCM members] in the region covering the Midlands, South-West England and South Wales.  This choir comprises Girls, Boys and Adults [and/or a mixture of each thereof] and is led by David Ogden.   The Cathedral Singers aim to sing at one of our nearby Cathedral or Abbey Churches at least once a month, although the exact format/mix of the choir varies to some extent from visit to visit.

-   2008-09 Information Flier [pdf] including music, locations, dates, ... everything you need to know.

Answers to the following questions and points ... contained in the 'flier'.

Who is it for?
Applications and other information
Managing your music
Clothing
Recruiting
Other Comments
Child Protection
Cathedral Singers Membership Fees/Costs

*** General information Flier! [PDF]

Who is it for?
Singers join this choir by invitation or application & audition. It is normally expected that the choristers will at least have reached the level of the RSCM Dean's or Bishop's [RSCM Bronze or Silver respectively]. So choir trainers should be aware that the visits will not be training events for the young and inexperienced singers; those preparing for Dean’s/Bishop’s awards and above is the standard we would hope for!

Applications and other information
Available above as download PDF files.... let me know if you need them posted to you .... by proper post ...

More Information

Times of rehearsal will generally be [but check details on above downloadable pdf information sheets ....]:

  • 11am for all singers.
  • lunch from 1pm,
  • rehearsal from 2pm in the music room
  • followed by a break and
  • cathedral rehearsal an hour or so before the service;

please do all you can to be punctual at the start of the day by allowing sufficient time for parking and getting to the building;

Music: All singers are asked to obtain their own music. RSCM will oblige here but note that the RSCM Music Direct requires payment with your order unless you can order against your choir account.
We will provide psalms and hymns; please note any references to particular editions; singers are reminded of the need for thorough preparation of all items in advance of each event; this is especially so for the younger members of the choir who will need someone to help them learn the notes. Please obtain your music in good time and prepare it thoroughly; the enjoyment which comes from knowing the music well more than repays the effort; It is uncomfortable to have to share copies so please ensure that you come with your own music; an absence of copies means that you cannot have prepared properly........

Clothing & dress code: Black shoes are required for the service; trainers etc are not acceptable; our custom is that medallions are restricted to national or diocesan awards only – RSCM Gold, Silver, Bronze, St Cecilia, St Nicolas [or Bishop's/Provost's/Dean's] awards and that only one should be worn at any time; long hair should be tied back - so that the conductor can see you! - and your cassock / gown should be long enough to come down to your ankles so that ordinary clothing is hidden by it; please have an RSCM Black or Blue folder with you to hold your music for the service.

Recruiting: an application form [PDF] is available here for your use and to encourage other singers to apply. Auditions will be arranged individually as required. Boys, girls and adults are welcome to audition so please do all you can to spread the word about the Cathedral Singers as I know that many people still do not know of us. Please pass the form on to anyone who you think would enjoy working with and could contribute to the Cathedral Singers.

Availability: You will see from the availability form that the RSCM has set out the extent of its responsibilities for the welfare of the young people, who are members of the Cathedral Singers and if you are a parent of one of the Singers you are asked to read this carefully and sign to give your consent to your son or daughter - under the age of 18 - being a member of the organisation; we should also like to know of any medical problem which your child may have - e.g. asthma - so that we may be prepared in the event of an emergency arising; please note this on the availability form in conjunction with this the RSCM has asked that all three Cathedral Singers groups should appoint a team of ‘pastoral assistants ’ to be on duty at each event.

Remember that your availability form sets out your commitment to the programme; young singers approaching GCSE /A Level examinations should think carefully about the dates for next summer. Please don’t just drop out unless there is illness or other very good reason for doing so. If you cannot attend an event for any reason please ring Janet Henderson (MSWCS Secretary) on 01793 525856

Other comments: On some occasions during the new season we will have a mixed top line of boy and girl trebles to try to find a way of involving those boys who are willing to come and enjoy singing. If you can try to encourage any boys in your own choir / neighbouring choirs to attend we would be very grateful. They should not be younger than 10 and capable of sustained effort through a Cathedral Singer's day; they will also need to obtain and prepare the music and join us in the usual way.

Child Protection:  Member of the Cathedral Singers should already have received a briefing and form outlining your/our responsibilities in terms of and in line with the RSCM Child Protection procedures.   The form should be completed as soon as possible and returned to the Child Protection Officer of the RSCM at Cleveland Lodge [as outlined in the   briefing].

Payment/Cost:  see details above [downloadable pdf ...]

 

Note:   Many of the files that may be downloaded from your website are PDF Files: Portable Document Format, for which you will need Acrobat Reader® to read them.

You can download this for free by clicking on the image to the right.
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