ABOUT SOME VOICES
Q: WHAT IS SOME VOICES AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
A: Some Voices is a non-audition, contemporary choir that believes singing is for everyone! We have over 1,600 members, who rehearse across the UK, and in Amsterdam and Paris. Find our full list of choirs here.
Our choirs rehearse weekly for three terms per year - Spring / Summer / Winter - with 10 rehearsals each term, plus a half-term break in the middle. Each term you’ll learn and rehearse eight songs. At the end of our 10 week term we produce professional performances for you to take part in (if you would like to).
Some Voices also has a professional choir which is available to book for events, recordings, weddings and more. Find out how to book us here.
Q: DO I NEED PREVIOUS SINGING EXPERIENCE?
A: Not at all! We’re a non-audition choir and everyone is welcome - whether you've been singing for years, fancy trying something new or have never sung outside your shower before!
We learn everything by ear and believe that this offers the most accessible and enjoyable experience for everyone, while making our rehearsals fun and informal. There's no sheet music to worry about and you'll get access to an online folder of audio recordings to help you practice at home.
Q: HOW LONG IS THE TERM AND IS THERE A BREAK?
A: The year is split into three terms - Spring (January to April) / Summer (May to July) / Winter (September to December). Each term lasts 10 weeks, with a half-term break in the middle.
Fees include your 10 weekly rehearsals, online resources, an extended intensive rehearsal at the end of term, and performance opportunities.
Q: IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT TO JOIN SOME VOICES?
A: Some Voices is an adults only choir. All participants need to be over 18 years of age.
Q: HOW DO REHEARSALS WORK?
A: Click here to find out what to expect at a Some Voices rehearsal!
Q: WHAT IF I HAVE ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS?
A: We ensure that our rehearsal locations and performance venues are accessible, unless there are extenuating circumstance. Once you book your place, you’ll receive an online Membership Pack which includes a form in the you can complete with any requirements. We will work with you to ensure you can just focus on the singing and having a wonderful time.
Q: DO YOU LEARN NEW SONGS EVERY TERM?
A: Each term, we choose a theme and our Musical Directors Laura and Curtis devise a set list of 8 songs for the main choir to learn. This will include a mixture of brand new arrangements and a few songs that have been performed before. Repeating songs from previous terms is a great way to build up the repertoire of the choir, to help newer members build confidence and to increase the number of songs we can perform.
Q: WILL THERE BE A PERFORMANCE AT THE END OF EVERY TERM?
A: Our aim is to provide at least one performance opportunity for every choir each term. Taking part is optional, but we hope you’d like to!
On rare occasions, external circumstances may prevent this and we will always put the safety of our members and leaders first. But we strongly believe in the power of performing to bring the choir together and build confidence, and that having a performance to work towards gives the term focus, so we strive to provide as many performance opportunities as possible.
Q: DO YOUR SHOWS OR SONGS CONTAIN OFFENSIVE MATERIAL?
A: We choose a broad variety of popular songs and exciting show themes that we hope will appeal to as many people as possible. We do occasionally find that a song contains lyrics that are outdated, offensive or problematic and we will always change and update these.
Inclusivity is at the core of Some Voices’ mission and we strive to make our live shows as inclusive as possible and do not include any offensive or explicit material. Where a show contains a more mature theme or is staged in an age-restricted venue, we will provide age limit guidance for audience members.
Q: WHAT DO TICKET SALES CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS?
A: Our end of term shows are produced in exciting venues round the country and we do our best to make the shows high quality for the enjoyment of both our members and our audiences.
The cost of staging these shows includes hiring the venues; lighting and sound equipment and skilled technicians; any additional staging, set, props and costumes; paying our professional leaders to conduct; front of house staff, and marketing the shows. We try to keep ticket prices as low as possible whilst covering our costs.
We also use our shows as opportunities to fundraise for our chosen charities where possible.
Q: CAN I BOOK A CHOIR FOR MY EVENT?
A: Some Voices Professional Choir is available for corporate and private events, including parties, weddings, festivals and premieres.
Find out how to book us here.
HOW TO JOIN / MAKING PAYMENT
We have recently updated our payments to monthly installments, instead of per term. Please read on to find out how this works.
Q: HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?
A: Head to our All Choir Locations page. Here you can select your preferred location, and find out all the information about your choir. Then find the ‘Join This Term’ or ‘Book Your Place’ button to be taken to a checkout page - where you can set up your monthly payment for your membership.
Once you've paid your first month’s membership, you’ll receive an email with your Membership Pack.
If you already know which choir you want to join, then head straight to our Join This Term page. If you want to try before you buy then you can book a free taster!
You can join at any point during the term.
Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO JOIN SOME VOICES?
A: £29 / 35€ per month. (£116 / 140€ per term).
This monthly rolling payment guarantees your place and means you won’t have to sign up each term. (Think of it like a Netflix subscription!)
The year is split into three terms - Spring / Summer / Winter - each term lasting 10 weeks, with a half-term break in the middle. Fees include your 10 weekly rehearsals, online resources, extended intensive rehearsals and performance opportunities.
Q: CAN I PAY TERMLY OR YEARLY?
A: No. Payment can only be made through a rolling monthly subscription, which you can cancel at any point. (We hope not!)
Q: WHEN IS PAYMENT TAKEN?
A: Your first monthly membership payment of £29 / 35€ will be taken on the day you sign up, and then each month on the same date thereafter.
For example, if you sign up on 1st January your first payment will be taken on that date, and then £29 / 35€ will be taken on the 1st of each month following.
Q: CAN I JOIN AT ANY POINT DURING THE TERM?
Y: Yes! You can join at any point during the term. Hooray!
Q: WHY AM I PAYING DURING THE ACADEMIC HOLIDAYS OR BETWEEN TERMS, WHEN THERE ARE NO REHEARSALS?
A: Payments are taken monthly, which means that payment will still be taken even when there are no rehearsals over the academic holidays, or if there is a break between terms.
Although the year is split into three terms, the rolling subscription means you will not have to sign up each term.
Term-times and monthly payments are as follows:
Spring term: January to April.
Monthly payments of £29/35€ are taken January / February / March / April.
(This amounts to £116 / 140€).
Summer term: May to July.
Monthly payments of £29/35€ are taken May / June / July / August.
(This amounts to £116 / 140€).
Winter term: September to December.
Monthly payments of £29/35€ are taken September / October / November / December.
(This amounts to £116 / 140€).
Q: I CAN’T COME TO CHOIR ANYMORE - CAN I CANCEL MY MEMBERSHIP?
A: We’re sorry to see you go!
You can cancel at any point, and will no longer be able to attend rehearsals or have access to your Membership Pack. However, if you cancel part way through a month, we can't offer part-refunds for that current month, which will have already been paid.
Q. WILL I GET A REFUND IF I MISS REHEARSALS?
A: We would only be able to offer refunds in exceptional circumstances.
Q: DO YOU OFFER ANY CONCESSION RATES?
A: A concession rate with a 15% discount is available to NHS workers, students and those on low-income. Proof of eligibility is required - please contact sing@somevoices.co.uk to find out more.
Some Voices reserves the right to change or withdraw this discount for any future terms. This discount cannot be combined with any other discount.
We believe everyone should have access to singing. If our monthly subscription cost is a challenge for you, please get in touch.
Q: WHAT DO MEMBERSHIP FEES CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS?
A: Membership fees ensure we can provide a professional and fun experience for all our members.
This includes paying our professional Choir Leaders to expertly deliver rehearsals in welcoming and accessible venues; writing and arranging the songs; the production of our end of term performances; recording professional backing tracks for learning resources outside of the rehearsal space; maintenance of our website; administration fees and business taxes.
Q: WHEN DO I FIND OUT ABOUT MY GIG?
A: As soon as possible! We hope to let you know the date and location of your gig within the first few weeks of term. For ticketed events, these will go on sale by half-term.
Q: DO YOU OFFER ONLINE MEMBERSHIP?
A: We know that not everyone is able to join in-person rehearsals so we offer an online-only option. For £8 / month (£32 / term) you will get access to:
Audio parts and lyrics for every song.
Weekly recording of 10 live rehearsals.
Please note there are no live online sessions or virtual performances. Online membership does not include participation in in-person rehearsals or gigs.
FREE TASTER REHEARSALS
Q: I WANT TO COME FOR A FREE TASTER SESSION - WHAT DO I DO?
A: Great! We'd love you to sing with us! Your first rehearsal with us is free,
Simply head to our Taster Booking page.
Q: WHEN CAN I ATTEND MY FREE TASTER?
A: You can attend in weeks 1-4 and 6-9 weeks of term as long as we have spaces available - you just need to book a session. We have recap sessions in Weeks 5 and 10 which are less fun for a taster to attend.
With some of our more popular choirs, you may find member spaces have sold out before your taster - if this happens we’ll contact you to offer you a different location.
Just be aware that if you come to a sessions later in the term, and love it so much you want to join (you will, promise), you will have missed a significant amount of rehearsals. We do have resources to help you catch up and learn the material.
Head to our Taster booking page to sign up for your free first rehearsal.
Q: CAN I SWITCH MY TASTER DATE / VENUE?
A: Of course! Just complete this form to let us know you can’t make it, and then complete the booking form again to book a new taster date.
Q: I ATTENDED MY TASTER BUT DECIDED TO JOIN NEXT TERM. IS THAT OK?
A: No problem! We'll keep you on the mailing list to receive information about the current term's show and following term's sign-up.
If you have any questions that haven’t been answered in this FAQs page then please email us at sing@somevoices.co.uk