AREA CHOIR
INFORMATION BOOKLET 2016-17
ABOUT US NYCoS Area Choirs are part of the National Youth Choir of Scotland, the organisation dedicated to encouraging singing for young people aged 0–25. NYCoS was established in 1996 to provide opportunities for young people, teachers and choir directors, to support and develop choral singing in Scotland. NYCoS activities include the growing network of Area Choirs across Scotland that your child is a part of, as well as Mini Music Makers classes for early years, National Boys and Girls Choirs, and the flagship National Choir.
NYCoS Area Choirs performing at Going for Gold concert series for Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games with RSNO and Children’s Classic Concerts in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (top) and Dundee’s Caird Hall (bottom)
WEEKLY REHEARSALS Rehearsals are informal and fun, and choir members may be asked to sit on the floor for group work, so please send your child in comfortable clothes and shoes. To ensure children get the most out of their choir experience, it is important that they attend rehearsal every week and arrive on time. Please let the Choir Coordinator know if your child cannot attend. Rehearsals are led by the Choir Director and supported by music staff, all of whom are fully qualified and hold PVG certificates. The singing and musicianship activities for each group have been developed to suit the different levels of vocal capability. NYCoS Area Choirs are divided into the following sections: Training Choir, Junior Choir, Intermediate Choir, Senior Choir and, where relevant, Chamber Choir.
NYCoS AWARDS Being part of a NYCoS Area Choir helps to develop musical skills such as learning to read music, pitching, rhythm, sound production, solo singing and simple theory. Our unique Go for Bronze, Silver and Gold awards programme charts choir members’ progress, gives them goals to work towards and provides a sense of achievement. Members are informally tested and, on successful completion of each stage, award badges and certificates are presented. A Gold level pass can be used as a substitute for ABRSM Grade 5 Theory to take further ABRSM practical exams.
PERFORMANCES The choir will perform in a concert at the end of the summer and winter terms, showcasing all they have learned to friends and family. Throughout the year, the choir may also be asked to perform at various external events. The Choir Coordinator will notify parents of all concerts in advance. It is important that your child is present at concerts as performing in a choir is a team effort, which requires commitment from all members. Please let the Choir Coordinator know if your child cannot attend any of the performances scheduled.
CONCERT UNIFORM At NYCoS, we want the choir to look as good as it sounds, so please follow the checklist below to have your child looking their best at concerts.
What to wear: - NYCoS top - full-length black trousers - black socks and shoes - long hair tied back
What not to wear: - trainers/sandals - heavy make-up - distracting jewellery
Details of the NYCoS Area Choir uniforms are on the back of the welcome letter.
MEMBER INFORMATION SHEET Please check that all details on the enclosed Member Information Sheet are correct, and complete/amend if necessary. It is essential that we have emergency contact details for rehearsal evenings as well as any relevant medical information. If there are any changes to your contact details throughout the year, please inform Lorna Rudden, Area Choirs Manager, on 0141 287 2831 or lorna.rudden@nycos.co.uk.
PAYMENT OF MEMBERSHIP FEES Membership fees must be paid in full by the choir start date, unless paying in monthly instalments (1st August–1st December). Fees for 2016–17:
Training Choir Junior Choir Intermediate Choir
£120 £135 £135
Senior Choir Chamber Choir
£150 £150
The enclosed forms will tell you which choir group your child is in and how to pay. We cannot accept membership payments at choir rehearsals. Refund Policy: In the first year of membership you will receive a full refund with no administration fee if cancelled within four weeks of the choir start date. For cancellations received after four weeks or for memberships in their second and subsequent years, a sliding scale of refunds will apply, as below, less a £10 administration fee.
Cancellation received by: 6th week of choir rehearsals 8th week of choir rehearsals 10th week of choir rehearsals 12th week of choir rehearsals after 12th week of choir rehearsals
Percentage of fee refunded: 80% 60% 20% 10% Nil
Cancellations should be made in writing to area-choirs@nycos.co.uk or to: Area Choirs Manager, NYCoS, The Mitchell, North Street, Glasgow G3 7DN. Financial Assistance: Thanks to our funders and donors, NYCoS is able to offer help with fees, so don’t be put off if cost is an issue. To apply for financial assistance, please return the appropriate form along with the Membership Information Sheet. If you have more than one child in any NYCoS choir (including national choirs), or a child in more than one NYCoS choir, each child will receive, on application, a 20% contribution towards their NYCoS Area Choir fees. Please complete and return Section A of the Financial Assistance Form.
PARENTAL HELP Choir Coordinators require help from parents during rehearsals with tasks such as taking the register, sitting in rehearsals, and waiting until the last member has been collected at the end of the evening. Rotas will be created, involving all parent volunteers, so please speak to your Coordinator if you are able to help.
FUNDRAISING AND DONATIONS In order to keep fees as low as possible, NYCoS relies on local fundraising. If you are willing to volunteer your time, support and ideas, please contact the Choir Coordinator. All parents are encouraged to play a role in supporting fundraising initiatives by contributing where possible or asking family and friends to donate. In addition, many employers run matched giving programmes, which has proved a very successful means of doubling the income from fundraising activities.
GUIDELINES To make sure we have a safe and fun environment at rehearsals and performances, we have established some general guidelines that we expect all members to follow. 1. All children should be brought to rehearsals and collected afterwards by a parent/ guardian. Children will not be allowed to leave the building unless accompanied by a parent or other known adult. 2. At all times, choir members must follow the instructions of the Choir Director, Music Staff, Choir Coordinator and volunteer parent helpers. 3. Choir members must respect the other participants and staff at all times. 4. A high standard of behaviour is expected from all members of the choir during rehearsals and concerts. If your child’s behaviour gives cause for concern, the following procedures will be followed: • A member of Music Staff will speak with your child, explaining why their behaviour is inappropriate • If the problem persists, the Choir Director will speak to your child • If the problem still persists, the Choir Director will contact you • If there is still a problem, a formal letter will be written to you by the Chief Executive, which may result in termination of membership 5. If your child is absent for more than 3 rehearsals, with no explanation or advance notice, the Choir Director may ask your child not to take part in a performance, if it is felt they do not know the music.
THE NYCoS PYRAMID This gives an outline of the potential for progression through NYCoS
National Youth Choir of Scotland 16–25 year olds
NYCoS Training Choir 16–19 year olds
NYCoS National NYCoS National Boys Choir Girls Choir 10–16 year olds
12–16 year olds
NYCoS Area Choirs 8–18 year olds
NYCoS Mini Music Makers & Music Makers 0–7 year olds
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National Youth Choir of Scotland The Mitchell, North Street, Glasgow G3 7DN t: 0141 287 2856 e: admin@nycos.co.uk
Scottish Charity No: SC024899 Registered in Scotland No:165149