Membership of the St Nicolas Church (robed) Choir is open to all singers of all ages. There are no auditions, although an ability to read (or learn to read) music is desirable, plus the commitment to regularly attend weekly choir practice and at least one Sunday service.
Choir Practice is held on Friday Evenings. Extra practices are held for special services, for example, prior to Choral Evensong on the third Sunday of the month, and at Christmas and Easter.
The Church Choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) and train for various ribbons and awards. Several members, both juniors and seniors, have gained the Bishop's Choristers Award signified by a green (junior) and purple (adult) ribbons. Some of choristers are members of the Southern Cathedral Singers.
For those unable to make a regular weekly commitment, why not consider membership of the Open Choir which augments the Robed Choir on special occasions?
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St Nicolas Junior Choir
St Nicolas Church Junior Choir is for boys and girls in Year 3 (7 - 8 years of age) to Year 11 (15-16 years of age, after which they become members of the adult choir).
It provides a great opportunity for children who love singing to develop their voice and aural skills, learn to read music, and gain practical musical experience within a friendly environment. It also provides an opportunity for children to develop other softer skills, for example, being part of a team, and in time through taking responsibility for different areas, e.g. helping less experienced choristers. Being a civic church, choristers are often involved in civic occasions such as the mayor-making and civic carol services, and even external events such as singing on stage in the Market Place, Newbury for the switch-on of the town's Christmas lights.
The Junior Choir rehearses each Friday from 6.30pm - 7.30pm during school term times. Choristers are expected to attend most, if not all Friday evening rehearsals, as this is the main time when pieces are learnt and musical training given. Obviously, being a church choir, there is also the expectation that choristers will attend on a Sunday to sing the music that they've learnt.
We only expect choristers to attend c. 6 - 7 Sundays per term (though would be delighted if they attend more!). These attendances will be some 9.15am and some 11am services, and on occasionally even an early evening service.
We appreciate that on occasion a chorister may not be able to make a service due to family commitments or illness, but we would hope that this is rare. We always want everyone to perform well and for it to be an enjoyable and fun experience. When the Junior Choir have been working hard on a piece of music it is important to have everyone there to perform it for the congregation, otherwise their hard work is wasted and it can put strain on the others performing. We therefore strongly urge choristers to attend all the services where the Junior Choir is singing, and to inform the Director of Music well in advance if attendance is not possible.
A schedule of services is given to choristers each term. This outlines the activities and music planned for the various Friday practices, and also lists the dates and times of the services the choristers are expected to attend and the music to be sung. It also includes fun and social activities as well as when training sessions to work towards the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) ribbon awards (Voice for Life Training Scheme) are to take place.
When a child initially joins the choir they become a probationer. They attend rehearsals and services, and through this learn the 'ropes' and see how they fit in with the choir's ethos. During this period they are given a red choir robe (cassock) to wear. Normally probationers are invited to become a full chorister after about half a term, and this is publically recognised by presenting them with a surplice during a Sunday service, and from that time on they then wear full choir dress (cassock and surplice).
As choristers progress and attain the necessary skills and experience, they are awarded medals reflecting the level they have achieved (i.e. Light Blue, Dark Blue, Red and Yellow). These are presented during a main Sunday service.
Junior choristers are paid a small amount each term in recognition of their attendance and as a 'thank you' for being a member of the choir. They also have the opportunity to earn some additional pocket-money if they are picked to sing at weddings!
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