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What is The Sing Thing Choir?

The Sing Thing is a friendly, local community choir built around two things we think matter equally: great music and great people.

We get together each week to learn brilliant songs in harmony, have a laugh, make music we're proud of and enjoy being part of something together.

We're not a big national choir or a franchise. We're local, personal and building a community where people get to know one another and every member matters.

Do I need to be a good singer?

Absolutely not.

You don't need any previous singing experience, you don't need to read music and there's no audition.

You'll be singing as part of a group, surrounded by other voices, and we'll teach everything you need to know during rehearsals.

If you're currently thinking "but you haven't heard me sing...", you're exactly the sort of person we'd love to see at a taster.

What if I'm nervous about coming on my own?

Please come!

Lots of people arrive at their first rehearsal without knowing anybody, and we know walking into a room full of new people can feel like a big deal.

Creating a genuinely friendly community is hugely important to us. We'll welcome you when you arrive, help you find where you need to be and introduce you to some friendly faces.

You won't be the only person who's ever sat in the car beforehand wondering whether to go in. Come through the door — we'll look after you from there.

Can I try it before becoming a member?

Yes. In fact, we'd love you to.

Your first taster session is completely free, with no obligation to join afterwards.

Come along, experience a proper rehearsal, meet everyone and see how you feel.

If you love it, brilliant — we'll show you how to become a member. If it isn't for you, that's absolutely fine too.

What happens at a rehearsal?

Our rehearsals are relaxed, friendly and usually involve quite a lot of laughter alongside the actual singing.

We'll start by warming up our voices before working through the songs we're learning together.

Songs are broken down into manageable sections and you'll learn your harmony part through demonstration, listening and repetition. There's no expectation that you'll already know what you're doing.

We'll gradually put all the parts together until something that sounded impossible a few weeks earlier suddenly sounds rather brilliant.

Do I need to read music?

No.

We teach primarily by ear, so there's no need to read traditional sheet music.

You'll be given the resources you need and we'll teach each part during rehearsals.

If you can read music, that's great too — but you certainly won't need to.

What kind of songs do you sing?

A proper mixture.

Our repertoire is built around great songs that are enjoyable to sing together — from big pop and rock songs to soul, classics and the occasional unexpected choice.

We want our music to feel exciting, uplifting and satisfying to perform rather than sticking rigidly to one particular genre or decade.

And occasionally you may discover that the song you weren't particularly excited about becomes your favourite once you hear everyone singing it together!

How do I know which harmony part to sing?

Don't worry about knowing this before you arrive.

We generally divide the choir into different vocal sections covering lower, middle and higher harmony parts.

You can try a part that feels comfortable and we'll help you find the right place for your voice. Nothing is set in stone either — if another section feels better, you can move.

There are no voice tests or scary individual auditions involved.

Will I ever have to sing on my own?

No.

Nobody is going to unexpectedly point at you and ask you to sing a solo in front of everyone.

The Sing Thing is about the sound we make together.

How long are rehearsals?

Our regular weekly rehearsals last approximately 90 minutes and take place during our choir terms.

We normally run three terms each year, with approximately 10 weekly rehearsals per term.

What happens if I miss a rehearsal?

Life happens.

Holidays, work, family commitments and the occasional evening where everything conspires against you are inevitable.

Your membership gives you access to all Sing Thing Choir locations, so if you can't make your usual rehearsal, you're welcome to attend another location instead.

Different choirs may occasionally be at slightly different stages of a song, but we'll do our best to make it easy for you to keep up.

Can I attend more than one Sing Thing location?

Yes!

Your membership isn't restricted to one choir.

You may have a regular location that feels like your home choir, but you're welcome to attend any Sing Thing Choir location as part of your membership.

That might mean catching up somewhere else when you miss your usual night, attending somewhere different because it suits your plans that week, or simply coming along for an extra sing.

There's no additional charge.

Where are your choirs?

We currently run weekly Sing Thing Choir rehearsals in:

Clacton-on-Sea
Ipswich
Braintree
Bury St Edmunds

Full venue details, rehearsal nights and times can be found at www.thesingthingchoir.co.uk.

How much does membership cost?

Membership is £27 per month.

Your membership gives you access to weekly rehearsals during term time, all Sing Thing Choir locations, member song and rehearsal resources, and opportunities to take part in performances and other choir activities.

There's no long fixed-term contract. If you decide to leave, we simply ask for one full month's notice.

Why do I pay monthly when the choir is on a break?

Your £27 monthly payment spreads the cost of your choir membership evenly across the whole year.

We run three approximately 10-week choir terms each year, but rather than charging a larger amount at the beginning of each term, the annual membership cost is divided into 12 manageable monthly payments of £27.

This means your regular payment continues during the scheduled breaks between terms, including months where there may be fewer or no regular rehearsals.

What does my membership include?

Your membership includes:

• Weekly rehearsals during our scheduled choir terms

• Access to all Sing Thing Choir locations

• Member song and rehearsal resources

• Access to our online Members' Area

• Opportunities to take part in performances

• Access to member activities and other opportunities as they become available

And, of course, you're becoming part of The Sing Thing community.

We want membership to feel like more than simply paying to attend a 90-minute rehearsal each week. We're building a community around the music, with opportunities to sing, perform, socialise, make friends and be part of something together.

Can I pay as I go?

We don't offer pay-as-you-go membership for our regular weekly rehearsals.

Instead, everyone is welcome to come along for a free taster session before deciding whether they'd like to become a member.

If you decide to join us afterwards, membership is £27 per month.

We may also run separate workshops and special events throughout the year which can be booked individually and may be open to members and non-members.

Do I have to perform?

Not at all.

We hope to create some brilliant performance opportunities and we'll encourage you to give them a go — particularly because standing on stage with a group of people you've spent weeks rehearsing with can be an amazing experience.

But performing is always your choice.

If you're happiest coming to rehearsals each week and singing purely because you enjoy it, that's absolutely fine.

What are performances like?

Performances are our chance to take everything we've created in rehearsals and share it with other people.

We'll make sure everyone knows what they're doing beforehand and we'll prepare together so that you can enjoy the experience rather than worrying about it.

There's no expectation that you're suddenly transformed into a professional performer. You're still you — there'll just be quite a few other Sing Thingers standing beside you!

What do we wear for performances?

For performances we'll usually ask members to wear their Sing Thing Choir T-shirt along with simple clothing guidelines appropriate to the particular event.

We'll always let you know what's required beforehand.

The aim is for us to look like a team while still allowing everyone to feel comfortable.

Is there an age limit?

Regular Sing Thing Choir membership is for adults aged 18 and over.

There's no upper age limit.

If you're 18 or 98 and fancy singing with us, you're very welcome.

Is The Sing Thing a national choir?

No — and that's quite deliberate.

We're not a national chain. We're your local choir, built by people who care about the people in it.

We want The Sing Thing to grow, but never at the expense of what makes a community choir special.

Our aim is for you to be known, welcomed and missed when you're not there — not simply another name on a membership list.

What makes The Sing Thing different?

We care about making really good music, but we don't think that has to come at the expense of having fun or being welcoming.

There's no audition, no expectation that you've sung before and no pressure to prove yourself.

At the same time, we'll work hard on our songs, harmonies and performances so there's a genuine sense of achievement when everything comes together.

But perhaps the biggest difference is what we're trying to build around the music.

We want friendships to form. We want people to arrive early because they fancy a chat. We want new members to quickly stop feeling new. We want people to make memories, laugh a lot and feel that choir night is one of the evenings they look forward to each week.

The music brings us together. The people make it The Sing Thing.

What if I don't know anybody?

Then you're in very good company.

You don't need to bring a friend to join a community — making new ones is rather the point.

We'll do everything we can to make your first few weeks comfortable and help you get to know the people around you.

Give it a little time and we hope there'll soon be plenty of familiar faces waiting for you when you arrive.

Is it okay if I'm shy or not very confident?

Of course.

You don't need to be loud, outgoing or naturally confident to belong here.

You can settle in at your own pace. Nobody will make you sing alone, perform before you're ready or put you on the spot.

Confidence often arrives quietly — sometimes it's simply realising a few weeks later that you've stopped worrying about walking through the door.

Do you have a Members' Area?

Yes.

Members have access to an online area containing resources to help with the songs we're learning.

These resources are there to support what happens in rehearsals and make it easier to practise or refresh your memory at home.

Can I get a refund if I haven't attended?

Membership fees aren't normally refundable if you haven't attended rehearsals.

Your membership remains active and gives you access to The Sing Thing and its membership benefits whether or not you attend every week.

Remember that if you can't make your usual rehearsal, you're welcome to attend any of our other Sing Thing Choir locations instead.

If your circumstances change and you know you're no longer able to attend, please let us know as soon as possible so we can arrange cancellation of your membership.

How do I cancel my membership?

We'll be sorry to see you go, but we understand that circumstances change.

You can cancel your membership at any time by providing one full month's notice.

Cancellation must be made in writing by emailing:

admin@thesingthingchoir.co.uk

Your notice period begins when we receive your cancellation request, so one further monthly payment may become due after you've given notice.

Full details can be found in our Membership Terms & Conditions.

I still have a question. Who do I ask?

Ask us!

Speak to us at a rehearsal or email admin@thesingthingchoir.co.uk and we'll be happy to help.

And if you're currently reading all of these FAQs because you're trying to decide whether you're brave enough to come for a taster...

You are. Come and meet us.