Frequently Asked Questions
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Is this a church choir?
West Marin Choir is a community chorus not affiliated with any church. We sing a mix of folk, pop, spirituals, and a cappella songs – music that we find heart-opening, inspiring, or just plain fun. When we do spirituals and gospel tunes we draw them from a variety of traditions including Christian, Pagan, Hindu, Jewish and others. I have a terrible voice. Will I be unwelcome? Everyone is truly welcome in West Marin Choir. We believe all voices are meant to be heard! Plus, most people find that singing in a group helps them to carry the tune more easily. The choir is a blend of experienced and inexperienced singers, and we all help one another. We provide good rehearsal recordings so that you can spend extra time practicing at home, which can go a long way toward bolstering your confidence. Your ear will improve with practice. Will I be required to sing any solo parts? I can carry a tune but I'm not a soloist. Typical choir members only sing the group choral parts and are not expect to sing solo. Those confident about singing on their own can find opportunities to sing solo verses in selected songs, but there's never any pressure to do so. Can I pay per class or attend on a drop-in basis? Some introductory sessions are open to drop-ins but in general the choir is a committed series that builds on repertoire from week to week, requiring us to ask singers for a commitment. Is it okay if I can't make all the rehearsals? Yes, you can miss up to two rehearsals. Spending extra time with the website rehearsal recordings will help you stay up to speed. And if you'll be gone more than two of the six weeks you'd have the option to make it up by doing a doubleheader during the weeks you're in town by going to the other group, Stinson Beach or Point Reyes, in addition to your regular rehearsal. Is it okay if I need to miss the performance? Our performances are not mandatory and it’s fine if you miss one. We are less focused on being a performing group, and more focused on being a community group that loves singing together. Our weekly rehearsals are very heart-opening and soul-nourishing, and many singers enjoy them more than the actual performances! Can I try it out before committing to the whole series? You are welcome to attend the first or second class in a series as a drop-in. We recommend that if you're considering joining, take a moment to check out our videos and songs to see if it feels like a good fit. I don't know how to read music, is that okay? The choir typically doesn't use sheet music, so it's fine if you don't read music. Can I attend the other town's choir chapter? Yes! You can attend either chapter any time as a make-up, or even if you just want to double-up in one week. What if I can't attend a performance? For many, singing together each week in rehearsal is their favorite part of the choir. Attendance at performances is optional. If you're not interested in performing or you have a date conflict, that's fine. Can I join after the series has begun? Yes, this is usually fine if it's not more than 2 weeks into the season. Please Contact Us if interested. |