Join the Choir

Welcome from Joanna Wiesner

Hello, I’m the Choir Secretary. If you’re interested in joining, please give me a call on 01225 420588 or email or write to me. We’re always happy to welcome new members.

Meanwhile here are a few answers to some of the questions you might have.

• Can anyone join the choir?
• When are rehearsals?
• What does it cost?
• How many members are there currently?
• How is the choir managed?
• What is the history of Bath Minerva Choir?
• Why should I join Bath Minerva Choir when they are so many other local choirs to choose from?

Can anyone join the choir?
It’s written in our constitution that we are a non-auditioning choir – so there is no audition of any kind for entry. That doesn’t mean we set ourselves low standards as a choir in performance. What we do expect from our members is a commitment to supporting the choir, and to achieving the highest standards we can.

What we suggest to any new member is simply to come along for two or three weeks and see how you enjoy it, and if it feels right for you.

When are rehearsals?
Rehearsals are generally every Saturday morning, from 10.30 to 12.30, in the church hall (downstairs) at the Nexus Methodist Church in Nelson Place East, London Road, Bath [see map]. There are also sectional rehearsals for the different voices – some like to meet regularly for half an hour before the main choir rehearsal. There will be extra rehearsals just before a performance.

As a general rule, we expect members to attend at least 75% of rehearsals for a particular show.

What does it cost?
The current subscription is £90 a year, plus some extra costs for hire (or occasionally the need to buy) music. Reductions are available for students and those on limited income.

How many members are there currently?
About one hundred and twenty, though not everyone will sing in every concert.

How is the choir managed?
There is a committee which includes Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Officer, and the Four Voice Representatives. The committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting in December and anyone is welcome to stand. See details of some of the key people.

What is the history of Bath Minerva Choir?

Bath Minerva Choir was started in 1991 by members of the former Bath Georgian Festival Chorus. At first called the Bath Sinfonietta Chorus, it took its present name in 1994 – after Sulis Minerva, the Celtic/ Roman goddess of the sacred springs of Bath.

Bath Minerva Choir has always been a non-auditioning choir. Jason Thornton, best known as conductor of Bath Phil, was our conductor from 1997-2007. Under his direction the choir grew in numbers and confidence, performing many classics of the choral repertoire. These include Brahms' German Requiem, Vivaldi's Gloria, David Fanshawe's African Sanctus (with the composer), numerous performances of Messiah, Elijah with Sir Willard White, Mozart's Requiem, Haydn's Creation, Verdi's Requiem, and many other works.

In January 2008 we appointed Gavin Carr as our new conductor. Gavin’s first concert was an ambitious a capella programme of Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky and Tavener: the Bath Chronicle wrote ‘A packed Abbey enjoyed every minute of this newly enlivened choir’s performance’

Why should I join Bath Minerva Choir when they are so many other local choirs to choose from?
There are lots of wonderful choirs in the Bath area. Each has its own character, its own kind of repertoire and its own conductor. It’s really a case of finding which one – or which ones, if you’re lucky enough to have time for more than one! – is right for you personally, and the kind of music you like to make, and of course which suits the times you’re available for rehearsals.

We do like to think we’re genuinely a friendly and a welcoming choir, we have fun as well as working hard, and in Gavin Carr we’re lucky to have a really remarkable talent as our conductor. Why not come along and try us for two or three weeks, and make up your own mind?