Members Page

Worcester Festival Choral Society is a high standard, friendly and enthusiastic mixed voice choir, with a real passion for outstanding choral singing! Our choir is open to everyone over 18, from all walks of life and every background, who can meet our audition standards (subject to available places), attend our rehearsals and perform on concert days. So why not apply to join us?

This page provides everything you need to know if you are hoping to join, or are already a Chorus member.

LOOKING TO JOIN?

Each Worcester Festival Choral Society concert season comprises two terms (Autumn and Spring) so new members usually join at the start of the autumn term (early September) or at the start of the spring term (early January). If you are a Tenor, Bass, Soprano or Alto looking to join, please email our Membership Secretary HERE, who will be in touch. Please note there may be a waiting list. For exact rehearsal dates see below.

Additional useful information is available on our New Members FAQs page, or you are welcome to contact us for more details.

ALREADY A CHORUS MEMBER?

The remainder of this page, although possibly of interest to prospective members, contains information relevant to those currently singing with us.

2024-25 CONCERT SEASON

Concert programme: See poster (left)

Rehearsal dates: Click HERE

Director of Music's rehearsal notes for this term: TBC

Commitment:

WFCS’s success and high standards rely on the commitment of its singers in attending weekly rehearsals, as well as concert-day rehearsals and performances, so your availability for rehearsals and concerts is required. If more than two rehearsals are missed for any concert, your participation in the performance may depend on a re-audition. If, for exceptional circumstances, you cannot attend a rehearsal or concert, please let our Membership Secretary know.

Information for concert days:

• Afternoon rehearsal: This rehearsal is mandatory. You will be allocated a place on the concert platform, and will find your seat number on a list at the foot of the staging. Please be in your seat ready to rehearse by the designated time (usually 1.30pm). Rehearsals usually finish by 4.30pm.

• Choir Folders: Every Choir member must have a WFCS folder to be used during concerts. These are issued to members by our Librarian on receipt of a £5 deposit, which is returnable when the member returns the folder on leaving the Choir. If you are a new member then please see our Librarian to obtain your folder.

• Borrowed Music Scores: All borrowed music must be returned to our Librarian by the night of the concert. If for any reason you find that you are unable to sing in a concert then please return your music as soon as possible (at the latest at the last rehearsal before the concert). If you cannot bring it or send it via a friend to a Monday rehearsal then it can be delivered or posted to her home address; please contact our Librarian for details.

• Dress for Concerts: Gentlemen - Black dinner suit, white shirt, black bow tie, black shoes. Ladies - All plain black, with sleeves, modest neckline, long enough to cover knees when seated (eg long black dress; black skirt or smart black trousers with black blouse), black shoes. Nothing glittery (including jewellery if worn) to avoid catching the lights. Small black evening bag if needed.

Audition cycle

After successfully passing your entrance audition and first joining the chorus, members will normally be required to re-audition every three years to check aspects such as continued vocal quality, range, blending and sight-reading.

Policies

In line with the GDPR regulations of 25 May 2018, you can find our WFCS Data Policy HERE

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity policy, as well as information on our other policies, can be found HERE

Rules of the Society

WFCS RULES (updated September 2012)

MEMBER BENEFITS

Purchasing concert tickets

Choir members can purchase concert tickets from our Online Box Office or the TicketSource order hotline 0333 666 3366. For more details and information on member ticket concessions see New Member FAQs.

Support WFCS when shopping online

Do you shop online, or participate in the Worcester Community lottery? Visit our Support Us page to find out about the many ways you can support WFCS at no extra cost to yourself.

20% off when you purchase ChoraLine's EasyPlay voice part recordings

As a member of WFCS, you can enjoy 20% off the usual price of voice part rehearsal aids (EasyPlay format) from ChoraLine - a great help when learning your voice part for a new work. Contact our Marketing & PR Officer HERE to request more details and the special discount code.

E-newsletters

Twice a year (in Autumn and Spring) we produce 'The Choral Chronicle' e-newsletter for Chorus members (and supporters of the Society on request). The most recent issues are accessible below.

Members Page

WFCS Choral Chronicle Spring 2024

Choral Chronicle Autumn 2023

WFCS Choral Chronicle Spring 2023

WFCS Choral Chronicle Autumn 2022

WFCS Choral Chronicle Spring 2022

WFCS Choral Chronicle Autumn 2021

Choral Chronicle Spring 2020

Choral Chronicle Autumn 2019

Choral Chronicle Spring 2019

Choral Chronicle Autumn 2018

Choral Chronicle Spring 2018

Choral Chronicle Autumn 2017

Choral Chronicle Spring 2017

Choral Chronicle Summer 2016

Choral Chronicle August 2015

RESOURCES & RECENT NEWS