Practice Night at SMVC
This video shows what happens on a typical practice night at SMVC. The choir is in four parts, as you look at the video First Tenors are on the left, next to them are the Second Tenors, then the Baritones, with the Basses on the far right.
Our newer members are reading from their scores, older members already know this piece and Geoff*, who was then our MD, is polishing up the parts as we work through When The Saints Go Marchin' In .
* Our MD is now Huw Roberts, Geoff has gone to be MD of the Hampshire Police MVC.
Practice nights are relaxed and friendly. We generally laugh a lot as we make mistakes but feel good when we get it right and the four sections blend into one choir.
It does help to have a sense of humour in a male voice choir, that and a lot of enthusiasm.
Few of us can actually read music, we follow the score, we have learnt what all the symbols and annotaion means, but don't actually read music.
Musical ability is less important and comes with practice.
In this video, taken on a smartphone, we are singing An American Trilogy and being conducted by James, our Assistant MD and accompanied by our President Tom Kennar.
This was the first time that Tom had played for us. We were rehearsing for an upcoming concert and toward the end Tom realises that he had a page of his score missing. What a laugh!
That is, of course, what rehearsals are for!
What happens when a new member comes along?
You will be made most welcome and, hopefully, greeted by many members.
You will meet our MD, and he will ask you to join a section that you think you might like to sing in.
You will be handed some music and a fellow chorister will ensure you know what is going on.
You can join in immediately or sit and listen until you feel like joining us.
Your first few weeks are free.
At the tea/coffee break you can meet other members and find out more about SMVC.
After a few weeks the MD will check you are happy and progressing well. You will be asked for your measurements and we will supply you with a uniform.
Our treasurer will ask you for some membership fees, which can be paid monthly.
Our MD will decide when he thinks you are up to concert standard. Choir members are expected to regularly attend practices and sing in all concerts.
Most important of all, if you decide to join us, we want you to enjoy yourself. There is no pressure, no-one is listening to you, you do not need to read music. Yes, you will eventually, learn how to "read" a score, how to follow your part, but that comes with time and practice. No one expects new members to be "concert ready", that will take many enjoyable weeks of practice. And when you feel you are ready you can sing at your first performance.
