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RSCM Midlands and South-West Cathedral Singers

The RSCM Midlands and South-West Cathedral Singers (MSWCS) is a training choir which sings services to a high musical standard at Cathedrals, Abbeys, Minsters, Priories and major churches in the Midlands, West and South-West of England and also South Wales.

MSWCS has two main component groups:

  • Girls/Boys with Adults
    – girls (under 21) and boy trebles with adult/young-adult contraltos, counter-tenors, tenors & basses
  • Chamber Choir
    – Students, and adult SATB voices, aged 16+

Services are normally evensongs and events for the first group take place generally on Saturdays and bank holidays, whilst events for the Chamber Choir take place, also over some weekends and will also include Communion and services of Matins on occasion. There will also be occasional opportunities for all singers, including adult soprano voices, to take part together.
David Ogden, the RSCM  Coordinator , RSCM West of England, directs both groups.

Application details

Who can apply?

We welcome applications for the new season (commencing in September each year) from our existing MSWCS members, and from new, interested singers who have already some experience in their choirs and good vocal quality to offer. They should be either:

  • members of RSCM affiliated churches and schools, with the signed support of the choir trainer; or
  • subscribing Friends and Members (Individual, or Junior/Student) of the RSCM.

Young singers should be at least 9 years old, if the voice is promising and they are able to cope physically with a full day's music-making. Singers of any age, at or above the level of the RSCM Bronze standard , are likely to be at the right level to begin singing with MSWCS. A higher standard; at least Silver standard is normally expected for members of the Chamber Choir.

Invitations to singers under the age of 18 years can only formally be offered after signed parental support has been received.

All older singers must first comply with the RSCM Child Protection procedures, and only then may be offered invitations to sing with either of the MSWCS groups, as appropriate.

We cannot guarantee that any individual applicant will be accepted, or offered any invitations during the season. The RSCM reserves the right to refuse membership without stating a reason.

All new singers, and all existing members, should complete the application form, by 16 September, 2006. Please don't be late (although applications during the year may be accepted for our events later in the year, depending on circumstances)!

All new singers, and existing members, who have not been auditioned (or successfully assessed as part of their RSCM Bronze/Silver/Gold awards) within the past three years are expected to audition before their application may be confirmed. Other existing members who wish to audition are welcome to do so.

Note: All MSWCS have to audition at least once every three years and/or at the request of the organising committee.

How do we apply?

Fill in this form (having created a copy for each singer applying) and return it as indicated on the form. A group of singers applying from the same RSCM affiliation should use the same MSWCS Contact email address (so fill this in before copying the form). All correspondence and invitations will be sent to this MSWCS Contact email address for the season.

At the time of application, singers are also required to indicate their availability (availability form) for the arranged venues. It is expected that each candidate would normally attend at least five events in each full year. During the year there would also be extra training and/or taster sessions established for current and potential Cathedral Singers.

Is there a membership fee?

Applicants are asked to pay a small annual fee (currently, £10) to help cover our costs. All our applicants are offered the alternative of Junior/Student/Individual RSCM membership, including their MSWCS membership at no additional fee (please ask for details).

Fees due must be enclosed with the application form.

What happens at the audition?

Anyone invited to audition will need to obtain and bring along one piece we have chosen for you to prepare, well in advance, and sing to performance standard.

The audition pieces would normally be one of those to be found in the RSCM Silver Collection or another anthem to the equivalent RSCM Silver standard.

We also ask you to sing part of a psalm to Anglican chant, as a quick study, so that we can listen for a good flow, sensible expression and clear diction. You will also sight-sing part of an anthem that you see for the first time 'on the day'.

For boys and girls we are not looking for perfection first time, but the ability to learn quickly.

For Chamber Choir singers, we do expect fluent sight singing ability, and some experience of performing different styles of music.

You may also be given some aural tests and vocal exercises.

In all applicants, of all ages, we expect to see the ability to work together as a team and represent the highest standards of the RSCM. A sense of humour helps too!

Results of auditions are posted (usually to your choir trainer) as soon as possible after the audition.

Remember that all MSWCS singers have to file a new application form each season (Sept-July) to continue as members.

Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications for the start of the season is 16 September.

Questions

Please refer any questions you may have about the Midlands, South-West and South Wales Cathedral Singers, to Janet Henderson (RSCM MSWCS co-ordinator).