Autumn Masterclasses With Sarah Gray

Masterclass Dates

Online Masterclasses are open to everyone, and you are bound to find a song to suit you from my 'prepared list' - this time around, as requested by some people, I have compiled a list of songs that I have been teaching for the last decade or so, that I have the sheet music for and that have become old friends. Please email sarahcgray@aol.com for the list and to book at place on the following masterclasses:

Female Composer (not just Classical, rock and pop and folk too)

7.30pm on Tuesday 5 October

10.30am on Friday 15 October

7.30pm on Tuesday 2 November

11am on Wednesday 3 November

1pm on Friday 19 November

Sacred Song

1pm on Wednesday 3 November

11am on Thursday 18 November

3pm on Friday 19 November

Musical Theatre

7.30pm on Tuesday 12 October

1pm on Wednesday 13 October

11am on Thursday 14 October

10.30am on Wednesday 10 November

3pm on Wednesday 10 November

Foreign Language Song

11am on Thursday 28 October

1pm on Friday 29 October

British Song

7.30pm on Wednesday 20 October

11am on Wednesday 21 October

1pm on Friday 22 October

7.30pm on Wednesday 24 November

Plus 7.30pm on Friday 29 October - Any Song from List

I have designed the programme this way so that if you want to do, for example, two musical theatre choices or two female composers, you can do so, they are not all on the same week. I am also pretty flexible and some of the later ones can become 'any song' (like 7.30pm on 29 Oct) if your choice doesn't fit into the time you have available.

Sacred Song

1pm on Wednesday 3 November

11am on Thursday 18 November

3pm on Friday 19 November

Musical Theatre

7.30pm on Tuesday 12 October

1pm on Wednesday 13 October

11am on Thursday 14 October

10.30am on Wednesday 10 November

3pm on Wednesday 10 November

Foreign Language Song

11am on Thursday 28 October

1pm on Friday 29 October

British Song

7.30pm on Wednesday 20 October

11am on Wednesday 21 October

1pm on Friday 22 October

7.30pm on Wednesday 24 November

Plus 7.30pm on Friday 29 October - Any Song from List

I have designed the programme this way so that if you want to do, for example, two musical theatre choices or two female composers, you can do so, they are not all on the same week. I am also pretty flexible and some of the later ones can become 'any song'

(like 7.30pm on 29 Oct) if your choice doesn't fit into the time you have available.

Returning To Sing Together, (Post?) Pandemic

The Commoners Choir (Leeds), video with thoughts on a return to in-person singing after the 18 month break due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Paul Stocks

Singing at The Bede Club

As many of you know, a full risk assessment was carried out, prior to the very first evening for meeting together at The Bede Club.

For the time being, singers will be split into two groups. Please email Sarah on sarahcgray@aol.com to ascertain your time slot each week.

It won't be the same time every week so keep checking... Sarah will have to take into account the work-related, lift-sharing (or other) needs of some people and also assess what we need for a good vocal mix of parts. Don't forget there is a very nice bar downstairs for a drink while you are waiting - we will have plenty of chances to socialise, just not in the room.

We will tell you which chair to take and remember, please wear a mask while moving around.

(If you would feel safer wearing a mask , you can also buy mask liners which give you more space to sing in your mask https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284148448749

We have put in place mitigating safety factors.

We advise and would very much appreciate that everyone takes a Lateral Flow test on the day of choir.

Entry to the Choir rehearsal room will be from 6.55pm for the first group, with a start time of 8pm for the second group.

Hand Sanitiser is available.

Names will be noted and contact details taken if we don't already have them.

The room is ventilated - the door to the room and the back fire escape door are open.

Seats are placed at a distance of 2 metres apart.

The available windows are opened .

Disposable masks will be available to those who have forgotten to bring one.

We ask that you wear a mask to move to your chair and on leaving the room.

If people wish to socialise, please do so in the bar or outside.

We are also aware that there may be an instance when one of our members does report a positive Covid test to us, which falls within the 2 day "window" . In such an instance, choir members will be informed immediately, and advised to follow the Government guidelines issued from August 16th.

This information is included in the link below.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person

In the case of those who are double vaccinated they do not have to isolate, but are advised to undertake a PCR test to ascertain their Covid status. Thereafter they would follow the advice given depending on the result.

We want everyone to know that we are regularly reviewing our safety policy and keeping up to date with the current Covid guidelines.

If anyone has any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact Mary, on her mobile 07939 783632.

CAR PARKING

There is limited car parking available at The Bede. Along with our choir there is another activity going on. We have been asked by the management that all attendees park considerately. We appreciate that we have members for whom it is beneficial that they can park nearer to the venue. However, if you can walk or car share please consider doing so . There is also street parking in Wellwood Street and Byron street just a short distance down from The Bede on the right hand side.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday evenings.