Terms & Conditions & Choir Information
(It looks a lot but is not too bad I promise!)
Refunds:
Refunds will not be given for missing rehearsals or leaving mid-term as terms are short. I am reasonable and will offer credits or pauses in extenuating circumstances. One months notice should be given if you are leaving the choir. I have no control over this however so rely on goodwill here. Monthly payments cannot be stopped and started if you wish to take a break for a month or two. I am sympathetic in extenuating circumstances however. Payment has been worked out to be split equally across 12 months. If you know you wish to take regular breaks, please choose the half-termly option.
Extreme weather:
Choir will be cancelled in the event of extreme weather if it is deemed too dangerous for people to travel. Refunds will not be given in this circumstance as it is in everyone’s best interest to stay safe at home and I would be flooded with apologies anyway. There is always the opportunity to attend another choir that week or twice the following week.
Sickness:
If I need to cancel due to my own ill health (rare) refunds will not be issued to those who have already sent apologies. For those paying termly, a credit of £4.30 per cancelled rehearsal will be given for the following term. A full refund is not given as membership of the choir far exceeds just the weekly rehearsals. If you pay monthly, I can cancel up to three rehearsals with no refund offered. (partially why monthly is cheaper to account for this). Also do remember you can attend extra rehearsals to get your money’s worth.
Financial Hardship:
These are very hard times for us all. Please don’t leave the choir if you love it but can’t afford it. If you hit difficulties you can speak to me without judgement and we can come to an agreement to keep you coming to choir. Do realise - when people leave, it is a double hit for me losing the money AND losing the person! So asking for help really does help us both I can assure you and I don’t want you to feel embarrassed.
Photos and videos:
Being in a choir it is unavoidable that photos and videos are taken. I need these for my own publicity but also I have no control over what the public take and they often do! Being part of the choir does mean you may appear in these. Don’t worry - I wouldn’t make public something that is unflattering - I know how that feels!
Uniform:
Our uniform allows for individuality and most people enjoy dressing for our performances. We do tend to have ‘casual’ and ‘more dressy’ depending on the occasion but it is member choice. Essentially our uniform is a black top with jeans (the more casual version) or, black top and black trousers, skirt, black dress, jumpsuit etc. We compliment our outfits with red DiscoBeads (we get a discount) and we also have red name badges with our logo (these cost just £1). We dress for the weather so if it is cold, any sort of coat is allowed. In summer, black summer dresses, or shorts/skirts are recommended and summer hats are allowed. I want you to be comfortable but recognisable as in inTune member!
Mobile Phones:
Choir gives us 90 minutes out of our week to be away from them. I ask you please to have them on silent and not to look at them during rehearsals unless it is necessary. I know that sometimes, personal situations dictate that you might need to check your phone. I would appreciate it if you could let me know if you need to be on your phone.
Chatting during rehearsals:
We all get a bit over-excited sometimes and there is loads of chatting and laughter at choir which is great! But please keep quiet when I am teaching another section their part. Otherwise it is distracting for me and hard for them to hear and focus.
Communication:
I am approachable and can be messaged directly, I do not mind. But if you could be mindful of when you send it, I would appreciate it. If you can avoid the weekend that would be fab, and also if I am away on holiday. In terms of choir communication, we have a WhatsApp Group - one for each choir, and one for the whole choir. This is not a group chat, but somewhere for me to get our important news. Details on how to join this will be on the members page when you have joined. Every Friday I write a ‘Friday update’ so I do try to condense everything to this one post. We also have a Facebook group which is more for the fun stuff!
Cake Night:
At the end of every half term we have ‘Cake night’ after rehearsal for a bit of a social. Each section takes turns to host this (I provide the hot drinks). The Soprano 1s host Autumn Term, Soprano 2s the Spring term and the Altos Summer term.
Finally….!
Let’s remember what you get in return for your membership and trusting me as your choir director!
37 rehearsals a year
Practise tracks to sing along at home (sung by me)
Lyric sheets
Performance opportunities
Social opportunities
Lots of laughs and lasting friendships
Incorporated vocal tuition
Release of the happy hormones!
The choir really is what you make it. Will it be hard to begin with? Depending on your level of experience, yes it could be! Your voice might be feeling a bit rusty, or you may not have sung harmonies before. That is ok! You do need to give it time but if you dive in, and also make use of the practise tracks to also get you singing regularly you WILL improve and you will begin to reap the rewards! All the ladies in the choir had to start somewhere so don’t feel intimidated. We are all happy to support you!