Choir Information
Photo by Celia Powell.
Do you love to sing? Always wanted to sing?
We believe in the saying,
"if you can speak, you can sing".
We also believe that community-singing brings a dazzling array of benefits for a happier, healthier Mind, Body and Spirit.
Here's your opportunity to start. It's serious fun!
At Freedom Train you can:
> develop your voice in a supportive, fun, group environment
> learn a wide variety of material from world-roots to pop
> experience benefits to mind, body, soul
> sing under the guidance of professional musos/choir leaders
> enjoy performance opportunities & social events
> have FUN, make friends, build confidence
> bring your uke: we have our own little Ukulele Ensemble amongst choir-members, who accompany some of our songs!
> No audition, just take part in a first-time trial session, relax and enjoy*
> Non-music-readers welcome
> First session FREE, no obligation
*NOTE: After nearly a decade of gently developing our members' collective skills, Freedom Train is now an "Intermediate-Level community choir". This means that new members need to be comfortable with certain skills to enter at the Intermediate level. Important skills include singing in key/on pitch, holding a harmony part against other parts, learning by ear, playing with rhythm/syncopation and blending.
We believe in the saying,
"if you can speak, you can sing".
We also believe that community-singing brings a dazzling array of benefits for a happier, healthier Mind, Body and Spirit.
Here's your opportunity to start. It's serious fun!
At Freedom Train you can:
> develop your voice in a supportive, fun, group environment
> learn a wide variety of material from world-roots to pop
> experience benefits to mind, body, soul
> sing under the guidance of professional musos/choir leaders
> enjoy performance opportunities & social events
> have FUN, make friends, build confidence
> bring your uke: we have our own little Ukulele Ensemble amongst choir-members, who accompany some of our songs!
> No audition, just take part in a first-time trial session, relax and enjoy*
> Non-music-readers welcome
> First session FREE, no obligation
*NOTE: After nearly a decade of gently developing our members' collective skills, Freedom Train is now an "Intermediate-Level community choir". This means that new members need to be comfortable with certain skills to enter at the Intermediate level. Important skills include singing in key/on pitch, holding a harmony part against other parts, learning by ear, playing with rhythm/syncopation and blending.
REHEARSAL VENUE ADDRESS:
The Venue, in the Main Reception building @ Talbarra, RSL Care, 130-150 Old Logan Village Rd, Waterford, 4133. MAP 262 Ref Q15. Please email us to request directions if needed.
Some rehearsal sessions may be called at our private home studio, also in Waterford, about 5 mins from Talbarra.
Address & directions will be given to choir members in this case.
Choir Sessions: Mondays, 6-8pm. Please arrive at 5:45pm to start at 6pm. It’s also appreciated if you can let us know in advance if you will be late or unable to attend a session.
Thursday evening or other rehearsals will sometimes need to be called in the lead up to a performance, &/or sometimes extended till 8.30pm. Unless otherwise informed, no choir will be held during school holidays. Most Public Holidays will have no choir rehearsal. Consult your members' e-newsletter for details.
Membership Fees (as of 2015):
Fees are generally payable in 6-session terms
INDIVIDUALS: $78 (6-session term)
COUPLES DISCOUNT: $136 (6-session term) (must be partners living in same household)
Term membership fees are generally due the week before a new term starts, ie on the last session of each block. See your timetable in the emailed newsletter for due dates or for any changes to term blocks. Membership fees are non-refundable.
BRING A FRIEND: Already a Freedom Train member? Bring a friend along for an introductory session and receive a $10 discount off your next term if your friend signs up for at least one term of Freedom Train.
Getting the MOST from Your Choir Experience:
Be There! Make sure you can commit to attending regular Monday sessions
Relax, enjoy & feel free to explore & discover – keep your mind open to new experiences.
It’s also great if you can sing the new material you’re learning in between choir meetings. Sing in the car, shower, wherever! Like any skill, singing improves with doing it more often.
You are welcome to use a recording device for the purpose of home-learning.
Join our shared folder in Dropbox to download or access choir learning materials online, including mp3s of all the vocal parts (eg Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone/Bass) of songs we are learning. (You will need to be invited to join this Dropbox by the choir conductor.)
Check your email inbox every week for regular choir newsletters with important info for members. If you can’t receive email notifications please let us know.
What To Bring:
Bottle of Water Pencil &/or pen Highlighter pen Notepad &/or DiaryFolder for organising your music/lyrics, preferably with plastic sleeves.
Please Wear: soft-soled flat shoes (or bare feet) & comfy clothes you can move in easily
What to expect at a Freedom Train session:
On arrival: Smiles, chatting, hugs and laughter, a singalong song/jam with ukuleles
Warm-up: games and voice-play to relax & tune our bodies, minds, voices, ears, group energy
Singing!! Learning & rehearsing songs in unison and 2-5 part harmonies, rounds and chants.
Genres covered are varied but mainly Gospel (particularly African and Afro-American), Pop & Rock and Folk.
Warm-down: relaxing body, mind, voice, maybe a group back massage, more hugs & laughter, choir notices and any show'n'tell items from choir members.
House Notes: Please remember
~ Our rehearsal venue is situated in “Talbarra”, a home to many elderly and infirm residents.
So please be quiet & considerate when coming & going from the Venue, parking, etc
~Talbarra requires you to be “swiped in” the front door after 5pm – we will have someone on "door duty" till 6.15. Let us know if you’ll be late, so we can keep an eye for you. Phone Jay or Cath on 0405 974 561 or 0424 127 580 if you have any issues.
~Last but most: smile, laugh, have fun & Enjoy The Ride!
The Venue, in the Main Reception building @ Talbarra, RSL Care, 130-150 Old Logan Village Rd, Waterford, 4133. MAP 262 Ref Q15. Please email us to request directions if needed.
Some rehearsal sessions may be called at our private home studio, also in Waterford, about 5 mins from Talbarra.
Address & directions will be given to choir members in this case.
Choir Sessions: Mondays, 6-8pm. Please arrive at 5:45pm to start at 6pm. It’s also appreciated if you can let us know in advance if you will be late or unable to attend a session.
Thursday evening or other rehearsals will sometimes need to be called in the lead up to a performance, &/or sometimes extended till 8.30pm. Unless otherwise informed, no choir will be held during school holidays. Most Public Holidays will have no choir rehearsal. Consult your members' e-newsletter for details.
Membership Fees (as of 2015):
Fees are generally payable in 6-session terms
INDIVIDUALS: $78 (6-session term)
COUPLES DISCOUNT: $136 (6-session term) (must be partners living in same household)
Term membership fees are generally due the week before a new term starts, ie on the last session of each block. See your timetable in the emailed newsletter for due dates or for any changes to term blocks. Membership fees are non-refundable.
BRING A FRIEND: Already a Freedom Train member? Bring a friend along for an introductory session and receive a $10 discount off your next term if your friend signs up for at least one term of Freedom Train.
Getting the MOST from Your Choir Experience:
Be There! Make sure you can commit to attending regular Monday sessions
Relax, enjoy & feel free to explore & discover – keep your mind open to new experiences.
It’s also great if you can sing the new material you’re learning in between choir meetings. Sing in the car, shower, wherever! Like any skill, singing improves with doing it more often.
You are welcome to use a recording device for the purpose of home-learning.
Join our shared folder in Dropbox to download or access choir learning materials online, including mp3s of all the vocal parts (eg Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone/Bass) of songs we are learning. (You will need to be invited to join this Dropbox by the choir conductor.)
Check your email inbox every week for regular choir newsletters with important info for members. If you can’t receive email notifications please let us know.
What To Bring:
Bottle of Water Pencil &/or pen Highlighter pen Notepad &/or DiaryFolder for organising your music/lyrics, preferably with plastic sleeves.
Please Wear: soft-soled flat shoes (or bare feet) & comfy clothes you can move in easily
What to expect at a Freedom Train session:
On arrival: Smiles, chatting, hugs and laughter, a singalong song/jam with ukuleles
Warm-up: games and voice-play to relax & tune our bodies, minds, voices, ears, group energy
Singing!! Learning & rehearsing songs in unison and 2-5 part harmonies, rounds and chants.
Genres covered are varied but mainly Gospel (particularly African and Afro-American), Pop & Rock and Folk.
Warm-down: relaxing body, mind, voice, maybe a group back massage, more hugs & laughter, choir notices and any show'n'tell items from choir members.
House Notes: Please remember
~ Our rehearsal venue is situated in “Talbarra”, a home to many elderly and infirm residents.
So please be quiet & considerate when coming & going from the Venue, parking, etc
~Talbarra requires you to be “swiped in” the front door after 5pm – we will have someone on "door duty" till 6.15. Let us know if you’ll be late, so we can keep an eye for you. Phone Jay or Cath on 0405 974 561 or 0424 127 580 if you have any issues.
~Last but most: smile, laugh, have fun & Enjoy The Ride!