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If you are interested in finding out more about how to join Minerva, please contact us and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.

FAQs

About Minerva

Minerva was formed in October 2015 with 6 women and many more have joined us since then. 

We formed initially to develop our vocal abilities and repertoire.  

Since we formed the Chorus the focus has been on building our blend, our repertoire, and our vocal technique, with performance planning a key ingredient in our development.

We have excellent musical leadership and coaching - and whilst we look for a real commitment from our members and work hard on our music, we are a very warm, welcoming, and supportive group of women.  

How do I join?

If you're interested in joining us then we'll arrange for you to sit in on a rehearsal, to get a feel for who we are and what we sing.

Then, we ask you to complete a simple application form with more information about you, you'll have a chat with a chorus member to explain more about how work together.

Do I need to read music?

If you have a basic level of music reading it helps but you'll be given access to our online resources including professionally produced teacher tracks to help you learn our repertoire.  

Do I have to be an experienced singer?

It helps if you have some experience of singing in a choir (even if it is years ago) but we're more interested in whether your voice blends, and we can work on everything else including learning harmonies, confidence and performing.  We have excellent guidance from our Musical Directors.

What if I don't know what voice part I am?

Don't worry if you don't know where your voice will fit - we will do a very short vocal assessment with you to find out your range, and to check your vocals blend with our existing sound so that we can assign you a voice part. (Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto 1 or Alto 2). 

How much does it cost?

You'll pay a one-off joining fee of £15 for your folder of sheet music with all the songs in our repertoire.  We then ask members to set up a monthly direct debit (£15 per month 2022) which covers the cost of new music and the hire of our rehearsal venue.  

Will I get help to settle in?

You'll be assigned a buddy from the same voice part to help you in your first few weeks whilst you learn our repertoire.

As we perform from memory, and without the sheet music you will be able to take part in our performances as soon as you have learned our repertoire, this may take 2 - 3 months.

As well as our weekly rehearsals, and regular performances, the chorus holds a number of social events throughout the year, which all members are encouraged to attend.  Whilst we are serious about our singing we also like to make friends and have fun!

Women interested in joining our chorus should in the first instance contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We aim to achieve a specific blend of voices with the correct balance of voice ranges.  Our chorus is made up of women who can sing in one or more of the following ranges: Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto 1 and Alto 2.

If you interested in possibly joining Minerva, the first step is to email us; we will then invite you to visit us at a rehearsal.

If you then wish to make an application, we'll ask you to complete a short form. We'll arrange a date with you for your vocal assessment - this is not an audition, but an opportunity fo our musical directors to assess whether your voice will blend with the chorus and, if so, in which part(s). You'll also have an informal chat with the Chair and another Committee member - an opportunity for you to as questions, and for us to explain our ethos and the level of commitment we look for.

A recommendation as to whether or not to offer a place will be made to the Committee, and we'll let you know the outcome as soon as possible after your assessment.

Our chorus size is limited, and occasionally prospective members may have to be placed on a waiting list, as we may already have sufficient numbers in a particular vocal range.  

We are happy to receive applications from anyone regardless of their experience, or ability to read music.  Every prospective member will be assessed in a fair and transparent process.

Excellent resources are provided to help members learn our repertoire, but a level of commitment and ability is required to be able to perform a wide range of unaccompanied vocal pieces, from memory.

If you are up for a challenge and would like to sing with a like minded friendly group of women we would love to hear from you!