Choir of All Saints' -Junior section FAQS
WHO?
Who can join the children's choir?
The choir is open to any children aged 7 to 12 who are currently attending primary school.
We also welcome younger siblings from age 5. Singers may join at any point - for instance, we welcome new starters in years 5 and 6, and we welcome new joiners at any point in the term.
Is the choir open to girls and boys?
Yes, of course! Singing is for everyone.
Do you have a choir for older children or grown-ups?
As things stand, 12 is our upper limit for children, but watch this space. Our adult choir is open to anyone without audition, especially parents of junior choir members: they rehearse on a Friday evening from 7:30 - find out more by emailing music@allsaintschurchleamington.org.uk
Can younger siblings get involved too?
Yes, we are happy for younger siblings to come along and join in from age 5 - there's no harm in starting early, and singing is a great thing to do as a family! - but for practical and safeguarding reasons children under 7 years of age may not attend on their own.
Do we have to be Christians to join a church choir?
No. The choir welcomes people of all faiths, and none. The music we sing forms part of the pattern of Christian worship, in which all are welcome to participate. You will find All Saints' a welcoming environment, whatever your background.
Who teaches the choir? And who else will be there?
The choir is led by our Director of Music, Alex Silverman. He is an award-winning conductor and vocal coach who has worked with singers, young and old, all over the world. Alex will be assisted by Tim, and other musicians who bring a wealth of experience, and are passionate about making singing fun.
WHERE AND WHEN?
Where and when do rehearsals happen?
All sessions take place at All Saints' Parish Church, Leamington Spa.
You can find that here.
Rehearsals take place on Friday afternoons during term-time, 4:15pm-5:00pm.
View this term's full schedule here.
How do we get to the church?
All Saints' Church is located at the bottom of The Parade, next to the old Post Office and just over the bridge from the Royal Pump Rooms and Jephson Gardens. For those using sat nav, the church stands at Victoria Terrace CV31 1AA. Or click here.
The best way to get to us is on foot, and you should enter by the West door - the one by the bus stops. Lots of buses stop right outside, and the railway station is about 5 minutes' walk away.
Can we park at All Saints'?
Parking on-site is very limited. There is on-street parking for 20 minutes on Priory Terrace and for 2 hours on other nearby roads. Parking is free south of the river but is charged for to the north. There are small car parks at Bath Place and Packington Place.
What sort of commitment is expected?
Singers make faster progress and have more fun if they practice regularly! We do ask that you prioritise the monthly Sunday services, and attend as many rehearsal sessions as possible - as we only meet during term-time, choir shouldn't interfere with holiday plans. We do understand that sometimes life gets complicated - please let us know when you're coming so we can make sure we've got enough music/robes/biscuits!
If we miss a session, can we catch up?
Yes, we'll send round links to the music we're singing - including recordings and scores - so you can stay in touch with what we're doing. Obviously we'd rather you were with us each week, but we understand that life is complicated: we ask you to keep us informed if you need to miss a rehearsal, and we'll do our best to help you keep up.
When do the choir perform?
The children rehearse weekly on a Friday, and join the regular choir to sing at a Sunday morning service once a month.
On Sundays where the children are singing, we will start rehearsal at 10am, and the service will be finished at 11:45am, when the church offers refreshments. Parents and carers are welcome to join/stay for the whole service, and encouraged to join in as Choir Helpers (see below!).
Do you sing in the school holidays?
No, we currently only rehearse and perform in Warwickshire school term-time.
View this term's full schedule here.
MORE PRACTICAL STUFF
Do the children wear robes?
Yup, we have a selection of smaller robes for younger singers, and we should be able to accommodate everyone.
What should children wear to choir?
Singers should wear clothes they feel comfortable in. During winter months we'll rehearsal in the café space at the back of All Saints' which is nice and warm... but on Sunday mornings we'll be in the church where it's a little cooler, so do bring a jumper!
You can wear whatever you like to rehearsals... for services, we'll provide robes/uniform. Please come wearing black/school shoes. It's unlikely we'll need you to find anything else, but if we do, we'll give you lots of notice!
What should we bring?
Bring yourselves and a smile. We provide music, a light snack, and some robes to wear in the service. You can wear whatever you like to rehearsal - although bear in mind we work in a church, and it's not always very warm. All singers should wear black shoes for services, please.
What does it cost?
The choir is FREE to join, and we provide all the equipment. Of course, we don't mind if you want to make a donation...
What safeguarding procedures do you have in place?
We take everyone's safety extremely seriously - you can check out the church's safeguarding policy here.
MUSIC
Are there auditions?
No. Anyone can come and give it a go.
Is any previous singing of musical experience required?
No! All are welcome - the church choir is a great place to start your musical journey.
Do children need to be able to read music to join the choir?
Nope. But this is just one one of the skills they'll pick up (eventually) by singing with the choir.
What music do you sing?
Our focus is on learning liturgical (ie church) music and our repertoire varies throughout the year to reflect different events, seasons and festivals. We are able to draw on a tradition of more than 900 years of glorious music - including works by the great composers and things you've never heard of but will definitely love. At All Saints' we pride ourselves on our diverse music list, which contains more music by women and musicians of the global majority than any comparable choir in the country. Check out our most recent music list here.
Our regular Sunday morning service (Parish communion) features a setting of the Mass, from which we sing the Gloria, Sanctus and Benedictus - the junior choir will get to know a couple of versions of each through the year. There are normally 4 hymns, of which the children sing 3, and a specially chosen motet - a short piece that is sung towards the end of the service.
Do you provide sheet music?
Yes. The children learn some things by heart, and others from sheet music and hymn books which we provide. We will send you links to helpful online resources occasionally, in case you want to practice in between sessions, but you do not need to print anything out.
WHAT HAPPENS...
...in rehearsals?
We start with registration and some hellos, before warming up our bodies and voices. We play some musical games - including an occasional music quiz - and sing rounds and other songs to help develop our musical skills. After a short snack break, we spend the second half of the session learning repertoire for our next service or performance.
... at a Sunday morning service?
On a regular Sunday, the junior singers arrive at 10am to rehearse with the adult choir and choral scholars* for the 10:30am service. The children will robe, process (walk in) with the choir, and join in singing the Gloria - the first choral piece - and two hymns before going for a snack and a break with our helpers. They they return for the last part of the service, where they sing the Sanctus with the choir, a motet we have been working on in our Friday sessions, and one more hymn. The service lasts just over an hour, and the whole congregation is invited to gather for coffee and tea after the service. Parents and carers are welcome to stay (and help!) for as much or as little as they choose, but children must be signed in and out.
*The choral scholars are a group of students from Warwick University who join us during term-time and train with the choir. Sometimes they sing services and concerts on their own, too.
WHAT ELSE?
How can I get involved (as a grown-up?)
We 're delighted to hear from parents and carers who are able to help at rehearsals and services. Tasks include: helping with the register, wrangling latecomers, snack preparation and distribution, keeping track of music, helping with robes, and even singing along.
If you think you can offer a little time, please let us know by email.
Do you follow a set curriculum for singing training?
Our training follows the pattern of Royal School of Church Music's Voice for Life scheme which provides a thorough grounding for young singers.
Can choristers study for exams/grades/medals?
There is no pressure or expectation to take tests - for us the most important thing is to sing well, and enjoy doing it. Choristers who make good progress will be offered the opportunity to try for Light Blue, Dark Blue, and Red medals.
Can parents/carers watch rehearsals?
Yes. Grown-ups are welcome to stay, take part, and (especially) help out... but as long as children are signed in and out, you can leave them with us for the duration of a rehearsal or service.
Do the children's choir sing with the regular church choir?
Yes, most of the time. The adults have a separate rehearsal on a Friday evening, but the choirs will sing together on Sunday mornings. Occasionally the children will work on an item to sing on their own, too.
I have another question - where do I go with that?
Drop us an email: music@allsaintschurchleamington.org.uk