For prospective members
Prospective members may wish to know a bit more about us before deciding whether to join the choir. This is a summary of our guidelines.
1. Guiding principles
- The Cyrenes is an ‘a cappella’ choir of women.
- The Cyrenes creates a supportive and fun environment to sing songs that celebrate the strength and joy of life, celebrate music from around the world, and sing and perform for the love of it.
- The choir is open to any woman above the age of 16 who wants to sing – there are no auditions.
- The choir is committed to flexible, democratic processes where each woman has a voice.
- The choir recognises that professionalism and fun go together.
- Members can choose which part they wish to sing in any given song, subject to the choir’s needs at any time as specified by the musical director.
- Members are encouraged to learn their parts and practise between rehearsals. This helps to make rehearsals and performances more enjoyable for all.
The Cyrenes rehearse each Tuesday night from 7.30 to 9.30pm during the four ACT school terms. Our rehearsal venue is at St Ninians Uniting Church, 150 Brigalow St (corner of Brigalow and Mouat Sts), Lyneham.
Members ideally commit themselves to attend rehearsals once a week and extra rehearsals prior to performances, as necessary. Members are asked to send their apologies by email or SMS to the musical director if they are unable to attend a rehearsal.
3. Fees
Fees are charged to cover the costs of musical direction, rent, insurance, licensing and the website.
The annual membership fee is $50 and the term fee is $120 for each of the four terms. A concession rate for term fees of $90 is set for members with insufficient income to meet the full fee without incurring financial hardship. Payment schedules may be negotiated with the treasurer. Fees are reviewed each year.
The annual membership fee is paid within the first two weeks of first term. Term fees should be paid within the first two weeks of a new term. Fees are due for the whole term even if some rehearsals are missed. If a choir member is going to be away for a substantial part of the term, a casual rate is available at $20 per rehearsal.
4. Performances
The choir performs without music. A discreet palm card for words of unfamiliar songs is acceptable. Our current performance attire is all black with a Cyrenes’ scarf. Each choir member provides her own black clothing suitable for public performance. Choir scarves are loaned for each performance.
The choir performs about once a term though opportunities or invitations may arise at short notice and are accepted only after consultation with members. It is recognised that not all choir members may be available for each performance.
5. How the choir runs itself
As a community choir, we rely on members playing an active role in the running of the choir. Interested members are encouraged to contribute to the executive committee, or to take on individual responsibilities. It is recognised that not all members can contribute equally to additional responsibilities.
Choir members volunteer to be on the executive committee. This committee looks after the administration, forward planning and running of the choir. It meets at least once per term or when necessary. The committee may seek volunteers from the choir to assist with administrative functions. All members are welcome to attend and participate at any executive committee meeting. Minutes of meetings are circulated by email to all members.
A meeting of the whole choir is held each term, and a meeting is held at the beginning of each year to decide on committee members.
