Bromley Boy Singers Information Pack for families new to the choir
Welcome Introduction to the Team Rehearsals Subscriptions Gift Aid Advancing through the Choir Additional Information
Welcome Welcome to BBS. In addition to helpful information regarding the organisation, there are two forms included in this pack: a registration form and a gift aid form. The registration form ensures we are able to make efficient contact with you (e-mail is our preferred means of contact) and that we are aware of any medical concerns. An Introduction to the team Travis Baker Director A native of Australia, he is both a highly regarded voice trainer and international organ recitalist. Travis is responsible for setting the regime of the whole choir as well as rehearsing the Concert Choir and Vistra. Alex Jemison Assistant Director Alex is a professional singer and is responsible for Intrepid. Carole Poll carolepoll1@gmail.com 07876 030810 Carole operates the recruitment programme and directs the Training Choir. Colin Nash Chairman 07833 641021 Colin oversees the operation of the choir, coordinates concert bookings and deals with child protection issues. Mary King & Judith Colman external vocal coaches Choir email bbsandvistra@gmail.com
Rehearsals We re not going to improve without them! Please be punctual to rehearsals and it might be useful to bring a bottle of water with you. All music is provided. Every Wednesday evening during school term time Training Choir 17:00 18:00 Intrepid 18:00 19:30 Concert Choir 19:30 21:00 VISTRA 18:00 19:30, 2 nd, 4 th & 5 th Wed. of the month. There is an additional rehearsal on the second Sunday of every month. An e mail will be sent in advance regarding which groups are required; most often it s Concert Choir. If you are unable to attend rehearsals, or you know you will be late, please contact: Training Choir Carole Poll. All other groups choir email. We regularly hold courses during February half term and October half term. October half term is a residential course for Intrepid and Concert Choir only (there will be an additional fee for this course). February half term is a non-residential course, using the music facilities of Trinity School, Shirley for Training Choir, Intrepid and Concert Choir.
Subscriptions Fees per boy, per term: Training Choir 70 Intrepid 95 Concert Choir 100 Vistra 80 Siblings of boys in either the Intermediate Choir or Concert Choir: 70 These fees were introduced September 2017. Payment must be made at the beginning of each term by cheque, bank transfer or cash Payment by cheque should be made payable to Bromley Boy Singers. Bank transfer Sort code 30 98 36 Acc No. 02197068 (please add your Son s name as the reference) Gift Aid If you pay tax you can help keep subscriptions down by completing a Gift Aid form so that we can reclaim the tax on your subscriptions. A form should be included in the welcome pack or downloadable from BBS Extra website.
Advancing through the Choir In most cases, new boys begin in either the Training Choir or Intrepid. Each group has a musical and vocal skill set which boys are encouraged to grasp, firmly, before advancing to the next group. Initially, moving groups may be disorientating, so we have a 'crossover' system which nurtures boys who are in this process. Crossover boys in the Training Choir participate in the first half an hour of the Intrepid rehearsal to experience more complex vocal skills and score reading. Crossover boys in the Intrepid are asked to attend both the Intrepid rehearsal and Concert Choir rehearsal for half a term before attending Concert Choir only. We provide reports to boys in Training Choir and Intrepid at the end of most terms. These reports are provided so boys, and their parents, are regularly updated and understand the areas of development that are on track and those which require more work. The report will also indicate when the time has come to move up a section.
Additional Information The choir has two websites. The main public website is www.bromleyboysingers.weebly.com. The second website, called BBS Extra, is specifically aimed at current BBS families. www.bbsextra.weebly.com. (you will need the password Donkeylegs46) BBS Extra contains a calendar which includes all rehearsals, performances and workshops for all groups. Follow us on: Facebook Twitter @bbsingers Please feel free to speak to someone about any concerns or suggestions you may have: General enquiries Ian Maxwell Concerns or bookings Colin Nash
BBS Extra When you join the choir you get password access to BBS Extra, a separate website for BBS families. It holds lots of information about how the choir operates together with photos and recordings