The Premier
Choir of
South West
England

Join the Choir

What do we do?
We produce three major choral concerts each year in a Plymouth venue beginning in September; with professional orchestral accompaniment and leading soloists. Our performances have included: Verdi’s and Brahms' Requiems, Bach’s St John and St Matthew Passion, Carmina Burana, Vaughan Williams' Sea Symphony, David Fanshaw's African Sanctus. Sir Thomas Allen, our current Patron has performed with us.

What do we expect from our members?
Previous experience is not essential but you must be willing to put in time needed to achieve a high standard of performance, which often involves learning music ahead of rehearsals. Practice tapes and CDs are available at a moderate cost.

How do I set about joining?
Please come along to one of our rehearsals, which are held between 19:00 and 21:30 on Thursday evenings, in Meade King Hall on the Plymouth College Campus. There is parking on the playground on Hyde Park Rd, or there is free parking on top of the multi-storey car park close by Mutley Baptist Church and then it’s only a short walk from there.

First rehearsal for the new programme begins on Thursday 5th January 2012 at Meade King Hall, Plymouth College at 19.15hrs Directions to Meade King Hall. See an interactive map for MKH

2nd Rehearsal will be at CHAPEL on 12th January: see interactive map for the Chapel

Make yourself known to any singers, who will introduce you to your Part Rep. and the Membership Secretary. You are welcome to sing along with us for a few weeks before deciding whether to become a member – we hope you will!

What will it cost if I join?
Loan copies of music are provided free of charge. The annual membership subscription is currently £100 but is free for all those in full-time education and may be waived for anyone experiencing financial difficulty. To sing in concerts you will need to buy an official Choir music folder at a one off cost of £7.50.

Some other points
Rehearsals run from September to July, with the obvious breaks for Christmas and Easter and are very informal; though we do expect everyone to attend regularly and be punctual, as there is always a lot to do. Social and fund-raising events are organised from time to time and some of the Choir participate in our summer tours abroad. Recent destinations have included Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and Belgium. A recent performance of Brahm’s Requiem and Beethoven’s Choral Fantasia is available on CD.

For further information, contact the Membership Secretary Jen Millward on (01752) 402256 or jen.millward25@tiscali.co.uk
We are a charity, so are subject to the Charity Commissioners. The Choir committee, elected by members, meets monthly.

Directions to Plymouth College

Leave A38 at Manadon roundabout turn off signposted Mutley (first left). Keep in the right hand lane as you drive down the hill to Mutley Plain, where there is a large pub. (The Hyde Park) in the centre island. Drive right round the pub and take the first left turn into Hyde Park Road. The entrance to Plymouth College is about thirty yards down on the left hand side. Immediately inside the gates, you will find a playground where you can park.

Walk to the left round the tennis courts and the Meade King Hall will be facing you.

N.B. If you arrive late the playground will be full. In that case there is parking in the surrounding streets. If you encounter problems there is plenty of public parking in a large car park behind the Mutley Baptist Church, further on down Mutley Plain on the right.

The one-way system is a little complicated:

• Go straight past the Hyde Park pub but keep in the right-hand lane.
• Turn right at the next lights onto Ford Park Road (there is a Somerfield store on the corner).
• Take the fourth left turn onto Beechwood Avenue.
• Cross the traffic lights at the bottom of the hill and take the next left turn round the old Royal Eye Infirmary.
• Drive straight up the hill and round the bend at the top. The public car park is immediately on your right.

The quickest way to walk back to the College is to walk straight ahead on leaving the car park and turn left onto Mutley Plain. Walk straight back to the Hyde Park Pub and take the first left. The entrance to Plymouth College is about thirty yards down on the left hand side.

Walk to the left round the tennis courts and the Meade King Hall will be facing you.

You can use your mouse to zoom and < pan > these maps.

Map for Meade King Hall, Plymouth College