Sundays > Sunday Musicians > Chalice Singers Choir

The Chalice Singers Choir

The main church choir, the Chalice Singers generally sing once a month at the Sunday morning services from September through May. This non-auditioned group welcomes new members. Rehearsals are from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays, except during the summer.

How does the choir contribute to our church?

The choir sings about UU principles and beliefs, evoking an emotional understanding of these ideas. Also, choir members volunteers their musical ability, saving the church a great deal financially. The choir is part of the church's general mission of religious education, mutual support, and search for authentic expression.

Who can be in the adult choir (The Chalice Singers)?

Anyone over the age for the children's choir, both church members and friends.

What abilities do I need to join the choir?

Members need the ability to match pitch and the willingness to learn, regardless of how much background they have in music. (If you can sing a familiar hymn or tune, you can match pitch.) If you are an experienced singer or musician, you may also develop a leadership role in the choir. Your help and patience will guide new singers in learning the music more quickly. This is one reason why regular attendance is needed from all choir members, not just those new to singing.

Is a new choir member auditioned?

No, but the music director may ask a new member to sing along with the piano to determine your voice range. Also, the director will want to know something about your musical background.

What do I need to bring to a rehearsal?

Bring a three-ring black folder and a pencil.

What are a choir member's responsibilities?

Choir members are responsible for attending all choir rehearsals and performances. You should tell the choir director about any absences as early as possible, preferably at the beginning of the choir year or several months in advance. Each singer is valuable, and a single person may make the difference in whether or not a piece is done well or done at all (because of its level of difficulty).

Unless directed otherwise, it is also important to return music the Thursday night after a performance. Keeping music and turning it in months or years later creates major filing problems.

What is a section leader's job?

Section leaders will make sure that there is a good reader or lead singer in each section at every rehearsal and performance, and they will pass along members' comments to the director about needs or problems in their section.

Is the choir a social group as well as a singing group?

We have social opportunities during the year, including a season-opening potluck, and choir members will get to know each other. The choir is a good way to begin getting acquainted with others in the church. For some, the music is most important; for others, the choir's sense of family is special.

How long are rehearsals?

Rehearsals are 1 and 1/2 hours long, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings from August through May.

May I suggest music or influence music selection?

Please do suggest pieces or styles of music you like to the music director. This will help with music selection. Although you may not like all the music the choir sings, you probably will grow to like more and more of it as you progress as a singer. Remember, too, that some music that may seem difficult to you is perhaps not challenging enough for another choir member. Part of your contribution is to suggest music and part is to support the choir's overall goal to sing a wide variety of music in a UU context.

Should I invite others to join the choir?

Yes, of course, or give names of potential choir members to the music director to call. And don't limit your invitations to church members. Remember, some people make their way into our church by first becoming involved with its music.

What if I am really new to music or to singing?

Listening is very important. If you have a portable cassette recorder, you could bring it and record your part during rehearsals to help you learn at home or in the car. Some people take a beginning music course, like group piano. Also, though you will be able to sing immediately with the help of section leaders, you will probably need a couple of years in the choir before the mysteries of notated music are easy for you.

Does our choir participate in any special musical events?

We have sometimes sung with other choirs (like Quodlibet, the New Mexico Women's Chorus, our children's choir, the interfaith Thanksgiving service choir, or the Congregation Albert choir) or in other venues (like the Westside church, the Church of the Good Shepherd's choir festival, or the Juneteenth celebration). More events are planned, and you might suggest other ways our choir can move into the community.

May I have a role in our church's music without singing in the choir?

We always need people on the Music Committee (which meets once a month), and we often use good musicians from our church to play or sing for services when the choir is not singing. Talk to the music director about either of these options.

How often does the choir sing for church services?

In general we sing once a month. When we sing, we sing for both services, leaving before the sermon of the second service.