How do I join Take Note?

Visit our “Membership” page for details on how to express your interest. We do operate a waiting list.

Do you hold auditions?

No, when we have places available we welcome people of all musical abilities.  You just have to enjoy singing.

How would you describe the standard of singing?

We don’t really have a prescribed standard; we just try to be the best we can and to improve all the time. With our Musical Director’s support and guidance we are becoming more and more confident as singers. The main thing is enjoyment.

 What do you sing?

The best way to answer this is to say we have a varied repertoire. At the end of each term, choir members are asked for song suggestions for the next term and these are often under a theme. Our musical tastes are varied and we sing popular music from all decades, a few classical pieces, music from films and even a few traditional songs.  The final decision of what we sing is made by our Musical Director who provides wonderful arrangements for us to follow.

Do you have to be able to read music?

It doesn’t matter if you can’t read music although it does help if you can. We are provided with practice tracks to use between rehearsals so you can sing along in the kitchen, shower or when driving.  The tracks are on the Take Note Soundcloud pages on the web and copies are available to each choir member on cd.

At our concerts we perform without our music in front of us.

 When and where are rehearsals?

We rehearse over three terms; January to Easter, April to early summer and September to Christmas.  During this time we rehearse at Blaydon Rugby Club on Tuesday evenings between 7:30 pm and 9:00 pm.

Do I have to attend all the rehearsals?

Obviously we would like you to attend them all as we would miss you if you weren’t there. We do appreciate, however, that you may have to miss a couple of sessions each term.  We just want you to be as confident as you can be at our concerts.

 Does it cost to be a member of Take Note Choir?

We are a community choir and we need to cover our costs (our Musical Director fees, insurance for our equipment, costs associated with printing music etc.) We try to keep costs to a minimum.  At the moment we charge £25 per term per choir member and the fees are due at the beginning of each term.

Where and when do you perform?

We hold at least three concerts a year; Easter, early summer and Christmas.  These are held at various locations; Blaydon Rugby Club; St Mary’s Church at Whickham and other local venues that are big enough to accommodate the choir and the audience.

We have also performed at Beamish, Gibside Chapel and Sunniside and Holmeside Social Clubs.

For our “end of term” concerts we charge a small admission fee as we normally provide a buffet in the interval and we need to ensure that all our costs are covered.

Can the choir perform at my event?

If the dates are convenient for choir members and our Musical Director we would love to sing at your event.  Please contact our Events Secretary for details (gilliansurtees@btinternet.com)