Click on the topic you are interested in.
- Interested in singing with AFC? Your questions answered!
- What is available to help me practise?
- Who is on the Committee?
- Where can I find information on AFC's Constitution?
- Can you give me some information on music theory?
- Where can I find your Privacy Statement?
- Where can I find your Data Protection Policy?
1. Interested in singing with AFC? Your questions answered!
(Or download the PDF by clicking here)
Do I need to pass an audition?
No, we do not put you through an audition. We do want you to be able to sing in tune. And enjoyment of singing is certainly a plus! If you are at all uncertain, we will usually put new members next to one or two of our stronger singers in their voice part, for support and encouragement.
Do I need to be a good sight-reader?
No. Although being able to read music is, of course, helpful, it is not essential. There are many online rehearsal aids available nowadays - you can see some mentioned later on this page - and our regular singers frequently use these, even if they are good sight-readers.
What sort of music do you sing?
We have a varied repertoire of choral music (i.e. with Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass parts). This can extend from large “older” works such as Haydn's “Creation” and “modern” works such as Karl Jenkins' “The Armed Man”, through to smaller pieces such as French songs and opera choruses. Many of our concerts also feature top-rate soloists singing with us, and musical groups in support.
How can I know if this is for me?
If you like, we will sit you next to an experienced singer who will show you the ropes, and help you confirm that you have identified the voice part that suits you. Should you be joining part-way through the term, we will also give you guidance on catching up.
When do I need to make a commitment?
We want you to feel comfortable with our music, and also with us! So we're happy to offer you attendance at a couple of rehearsals before we ask you to make your subscription. Should you decide that AFC is not for your (and we hope you don't!) then there is nothing further required.
How often do you perform?
We normally have two full concerts in a year. The first takes place around mid-April (our Spring Term), and the second around the end of November (our Autumn Term). In addition, members of the choir gather in small groups to sing carols at Christmas, and at other occasional events.
What about rehearsals?
We rehearse on Thursday evenings, each week, leading up to a concert. Spring Term sees us rehearse from the start of January through to April, and Autumn Term runs from the start of September through to November. We have no rehearsals in the summer, as people tend to be doing other things.
Where and when do you rehearse?
We meet at Bedgrove Junior School in Aylesbury. The full address is:
Bedgrove Junior School,
Ingram Avenue,
Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire,
HP21 9DN
and we use the school car park.
Rehearsals start at 7.30 pm, and run through to about 9.30 pm. We do have a tea/coffee/biscuit break halfway through, when a lot of socialising takes place.
Is it hard work?
We sing music of differing levels of difficulty, so sometimes concentration is required, certainly. For most of the time,we are just enjoying the challenge of making a grand sound.And of course, as the term progresses, we have learnt our way.
What support do you have?
We employ a professional conductor and accompanist. You can find out more about both of them on our website.
What will it cost me?
We ask for subscriptions from our members to meet our costs, which cover, for example, the fees for our conductor and accompanist, hire of the rehearsal venue, costs involved in staging concerts, etc. Our subscription level is:
£67.50 per term, or
£125 for the year (2 terms) if paid in advance
In addition, there is normally a charge for hiring the music for a term. (Some members prefer to buy their copies, and then keep them.)
No, we do not put you through an audition. We do want you to be able to sing in tune. And enjoyment of singing is certainly a plus! If you are at all uncertain, we will usually put new members next to one or two of our stronger singers in their voice part, for support and encouragement.
Do I need to be a good sight-reader?
No. Although being able to read music is, of course, helpful, it is not essential. There are many online rehearsal aids available nowadays - you can see some mentioned later on this page - and our regular singers frequently use these, even if they are good sight-readers.
What sort of music do you sing?
We have a varied repertoire of choral music (i.e. with Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass parts). This can extend from large “older” works such as Haydn's “Creation” and “modern” works such as Karl Jenkins' “The Armed Man”, through to smaller pieces such as French songs and opera choruses. Many of our concerts also feature top-rate soloists singing with us, and musical groups in support.
How can I know if this is for me?
If you like, we will sit you next to an experienced singer who will show you the ropes, and help you confirm that you have identified the voice part that suits you. Should you be joining part-way through the term, we will also give you guidance on catching up.
When do I need to make a commitment?
We want you to feel comfortable with our music, and also with us! So we're happy to offer you attendance at a couple of rehearsals before we ask you to make your subscription. Should you decide that AFC is not for your (and we hope you don't!) then there is nothing further required.
How often do you perform?
We normally have two full concerts in a year. The first takes place around mid-April (our Spring Term), and the second around the end of November (our Autumn Term). In addition, members of the choir gather in small groups to sing carols at Christmas, and at other occasional events.
What about rehearsals?
We rehearse on Thursday evenings, each week, leading up to a concert. Spring Term sees us rehearse from the start of January through to April, and Autumn Term runs from the start of September through to November. We have no rehearsals in the summer, as people tend to be doing other things.
Where and when do you rehearse?
We meet at Bedgrove Junior School in Aylesbury. The full address is:
Bedgrove Junior School,
Ingram Avenue,
Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire,
HP21 9DN
and we use the school car park.
Rehearsals start at 7.30 pm, and run through to about 9.30 pm. We do have a tea/coffee/biscuit break halfway through, when a lot of socialising takes place.
Is it hard work?
We sing music of differing levels of difficulty, so sometimes concentration is required, certainly. For most of the time,we are just enjoying the challenge of making a grand sound.And of course, as the term progresses, we have learnt our way.
What support do you have?
We employ a professional conductor and accompanist. You can find out more about both of them on our website.
What will it cost me?
We ask for subscriptions from our members to meet our costs, which cover, for example, the fees for our conductor and accompanist, hire of the rehearsal venue, costs involved in staging concerts, etc. Our subscription level is:
£67.50 per term, or
£125 for the year (2 terms) if paid in advance
In addition, there is normally a charge for hiring the music for a term. (Some members prefer to buy their copies, and then keep them.)
2. What is available to help me practise?
These websites offer a variety of practice aids, such as CD and MP3 download versions of your voice part, and have been used by members at various times. Click on the link to be taken to the relevant website.
ChoraLine Click here. NOTE: We have a 10% discount arrangement with ChoraLine for AFC members. To make use of this, enter the code "AYLESBURY" in the appropriate box when making your purchase. Here is the ChoraLine flyer confirming this arrangement (which also applies to MP3 downloads) - click the image to see a larger version:
SingleParts Click here.
Choralia Click here.
JohnF's Rehearsal Files Click here. NOTE: In November 2015 this site introduced a subscription-based model; it had previously been free. You will need to register to access any files, so that the site can tell what sort of subscriber you are. Currently, out of copyright material is still available under a FREE subscription. Anything else requires a paid subscription, and at the moment this is £10 per year for an individual. The site now also offers a 6 months subscription for £6, or a 4 months subscription for £4. So you could register for just one term if you wish!
3. Who is on the Committee?
Chair (and webmaster): Mike Elliott
Secretary: Lynda Phipps
Treasurer: Viv Bailleux
Membership Sec: Sheila Page
Music Librarian: Kate Atherton
Concert Manager: Pat Aylett
Press & Publicity: Barbara Venables
Secretary: Lynda Phipps
Treasurer: Viv Bailleux
Membership Sec: Sheila Page
Music Librarian: Kate Atherton
Concert Manager: Pat Aylett
Press & Publicity: Barbara Venables
4. Where can I find information on AFC's Constitution?
It is a lengthy document, but you can download the PDF by clicking here.
5. Can you give me some information on music theory?
If you'd like some information on the basics, you can find it by clicking here.
6. Where can I find your Privacy Statement?
A PDF version of our Privacy Statement can be downloaded by clicking here, but you can read the text applicable to members in the following block:
Privacy Statement
What information do we ask you for?
We ask you for your contact details, including:
- your name
- your telephone numbers (land-line and mobile if applicable)
- your email address, if you have one
- your address
We ask you for a simple tax status indication, if you indicate that you agree to allow us to reclaim Gift Aid on your behalf.
We also ask you to agree to appear in any photographs taken of the choir.
How will information about you be used?
We ask you for your contact details so that we can send you updates relating to the administration of Aylesbury Festival Choir. These updates will include, for example: information about rehearsal and concert schedules, subs payments, notices of other concerts, and other business.
We need your name and address for the Gift Aid claims.
We also ask you to agree to appear in any photographs taken of the choir so that these may be used to promote choir activities, or provide information to other members. Such photographs may appear on websites (such as our own) and on occasion you may be identifiable in them.
Please note: the information you provide will be retained on a database.
We will never use your data for any purpose other than that stated or that can be considered reasonably to be related to it. For example, we will never pass on personal data to third parties without your explicit consent.
How will we contact you?
We prefer to contact you via email, if that is possible, and will ask you for your explicit agreement to do this.
More information?
If you wish to withdraw your consent, check the data we hold on you, or need any further information, please email us at
enquiries@aylesburyfestivalchoir.net,
or write to us at: Chairman, AFC, 1 Grove Court, Bierton, Aylesbury, HP22 5EA.
7. Where can I find your Data Protection Policy?
A PDF version of our Data Protection Policy can be downloaded by clicking here.