Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to some common questions people have about the Auckland Youth Choir. If your question is not answered here, please feel free to contact us.
The Auckland Youth Choir is a mixed-voice choir. This means that the choir is made up of four distinct voice parts each with its own special sound: Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass. If a new singer is not sure of his/her own voice type, this will be established at the time of the audition. Because of the mixed-voice nature of the choir, members of the Auckland Youth Choir who come from single-sex schools will receive a choral and musical experience that is not possible in their own schools. The size of the Choir has traditionally been flexible, given a sustainable and musical balance of voices. The choir rehearses and performs a wide variety of challenging and enjoyable music (sacred and secular) from very early compositions up to the present day. The choir sings mostly unaccompanied (a capella) but sometimes accompanied by a piano, or in special concert situations an organ or orchestra. Like the many youth orchestras or big bands that exist in Auckland City, the Auckland Youth Choir aims to offer the city's most talented singers a further challenge - an enrichment of the choral art, a musical and choral growth experience. Choir members are therefore expected to be serious about their own singing in order to gain maximum benefit from what this choir can offer.
The Auckland Youth Choir is seeking young men and women from all parts of greater Auckland who may be:
- age at least 17 and not over 26
- singers from Auckland's secondary schools, many of whom will perhaps already be in their school choir
- singers who, having left school, wish to continue singing at a high standard and in a youthful environment
- tertiary students
- young singers already in the workforce
Entry to the Choir is by audition.
Auditions last about 10 minutes and are friendly, non-threatening occasions where prospective singers should be relaxed about demonstrating their skills.
Auditionees should be at least 17 and under 26 at the time of audition; in exceptional circumstances, the Conductor may co-opt a singer outside this age limit.
Auditionees should demonstrate:
- a mature sense of reliability (this is very important)
- a willingness to learn and be part of a team
- a singing voice of good tonal quality and an ability to sing well in tune
- a good ear
- an acceptable vocal range
- acceptable music-reading skills (sight-reading)
Fees are:
$50 joining fee
$25 sheet music return "bond" - returned at end of year when music is returned
$80 dues per year, or
$25 per term (if paying by instalment)
Please note:
Fees are payable to the Treasurer (or Manager). Receipts will be issued.
Each singer pays the $50 joining fee only once - irrespective of the length of time he/she stays with the choir
In cases of financial hardship or difficulty, please see the Administrator straight away to arrange a confidential pay-by-instalment scheme. Sponsorship may be available in some cases.
Fees are calculated from the time a singer joins the choir.
Please appreciate that all fees levied cover only a small part of the running costs of the Choir and there is always a need to secure major funding (e.g. corporate sponsorship). From time to time, the Choir may embark on fund-raising ventures, either targeted specifically (e.g. buying a set of music), or for general maintenance. It is hoped that all singers and their families will be willing to undertake a share of the fund-raising as it becomes necessary.
A very high standard of personal responsibility is expected from all choir members. This includes:
- the understanding of teamwork and responsibility to others
- regular and punctual attendance
- the ability to plan ahead and manage time
- care of all items issued, e.g. uniform, music etc.
- full payment of all fees
- a sense of loyalty to the work and direction of the Choir
- doing musical preparation at home
- respect and support for all members and administration personnel
- enthusiasm in promoting the activities of the Choir in the wider community
An accurate roll of attendance is kept. A successful choir is a team effort. To achieve success regular and punctual attendance is required from all members. Singers are expected to manage their time (examination preparation, study, social events, family commitments etc) so they can attend rehearsals every week. Under normal circumstances genuine illness is the only acceptable reason for absence. In this case the choir member or parent is asked to telephone a Committee Member before the rehearsal. Leave for any other reason must be cleared with the Conductor first. Extended exam leave will not be granted. Where a singer belongs to another choir (e.g. school, local) and a clash of commitment occurs, the Conductor should be notified immediately. It is expected that singers will regard rehearsals as a regular weekly commitment in the same way as going to work or school, and avoid making arrangements which conflict with rehearsals. The Conductor has the right to ask a chorister to stand down for a given performance if attendance has not been satisfactory and/or if he/she does not know the music well enough. Three consecutive, unexplained absences automatically becomes a Committee matter and may result in dismissal from the Choir.
Rehearsals are located at the Music Dept, Room M.1, Music Block, Diocesan School, Clyde Street, Epsom. Enter the school grounds from Clyde Street - the Music Dept is on the left-hand side. There is plenty of parking available. The normal rehearsal time is Monday evenings from 7:00pm to 9:15pm. Choir members are expected to bring all music, folder, satchel, and a 3B pencil to every rehearsal. Rehearsals begin on time. It is appreciated if late-comers apologise personally to the Conductor at interval time; this is regarded as a courtesy. Occasionally extra rehearsals may be called, especially immediately prior to a performance. Choir members are expected to make themselves available for these additional rehearsals. Choir members are kindly asked to refrain from chewing gum and from wearing hats inside any buildings used for rehearsals or performances.
All singers should be highly responsible about:
- good rest before recitals/performances
- ensuring they arrive in plenty of time with everything required for that event (usually correct concert uniform, concert folder and all music)
- ensuring that all music is known thoroughly (public performance is demanding)
- complying willingly and respectfully with grooming requests from the Wardrobe Mistress/Master
- staying together at all times
High standards of personal deportment and grooming will be expected from every chorister when in public.
Uniforms (AYC dresses and shirts) are issued on loan to all choristers by the choir. The Wardrobe Mistress/Master has overall responsibility for uniform maintenance, fitting, issue and retrieval and for grooming assistance at public performances.
Singers are kindly asked to provide the following themselves:
Ladies: black sheer pantyhose, plain black court-shoes with a sensible heel (please talk to the Wardrobe Mistress/Master if in doubt), make-up
Men: plain black dress trousers, black belt, black socks, black dress shoes (either slip-on or lace-ups, polished)
General grooming requirements:
Jewellery: none.
Hair: off the face; clean and tidy.
Red or black hair-ribbon (clip) if necessary.
Makeup (ladies): faces must be bright - use a bright matching lipstick for performances (day or night).
Your co-operation with all matters of grooming is greatly appreciated. The Committee is keen to maintain the highly attractive public visual impact this choir has and kindly requests that all singers are fully co-operative in this respect.
The support of parents is very important indeed. Parents can help in numerous ways, especially by:
- ensuring that singers get to rehearsal regularly and on time
- attending concerts and encouraging others to attend
- ensuring that fees are paid on time
- reading the Choir Newsletters that singers bring home
- attending the Annual General Meeting
- being available for a place on the Committee
- stage-managing
- assisting with fund-raising
Director of Music: Ronnie Karadjov
Members of the 2008 Committee are:
Jeremy Brett - Chorister Representative
Elizabeth Calvert - Archivist
Jon Houldsworth - Marketing Manager
Ronnie Karadjov - Conductor/Director of Music
Brooke Loader - Chorister Representative / Librarian
Grace Meyer - Chorister Representative
Emona Numanga
John Rosser - Chairperson
Oliver Rosser - Chorister Representative
Janet Rossiter - Administrator/Secretary
volunteers happily accepted
The Committee meets on a regular basis, usually bi-monthly. The Management Sub-Committee (DOM, Librarian, Administrator, Treasurer) meets as and when required
Committee members are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
All singers are expected to attend the Annual General Meeting, which is usually held in March, and parents/caregivers are warmly urged to attend as well.