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The vocal score you need for Messiah is the New Novello Choral Edition edited by Watkins Shaw  ISBN 9780853602118.

See below for Messiah rehearsal aids.

Important dates for 2017/18:

    18 November - Messiah at Snape Maltings Concert Hall

    17 February - joint Mozart rehearsal with Bury Bach Choir at Framlingham College

    3 March - Mozart concert at Bury St Edmunds

    17 March - Mozart concert at Snape

    19 May - Parry/Purcell/Rutter brass and organ concert at Orford

Term dates

Autumn 2017:	12 September - 18 November
Winter 2017-18:	28(?) November - 17 March
Spring 2018:	20(?) March - 19 May

Section Representatives

Each voice part has a Section Representative to support members, check attendance, help with concert arrangements and present members’ views to the committee:

Soprano:	Carol Wood
Alto:	Frances Osborn
Tenor:	Peter Fife
Bass:	John Driscoll

Rehearsal protocol

A few reminders:

• arrive in good time to start rehearsals promptly
• the coffee break is 10 minutes
• no extraneous talking during rehearsals
• if you plan to sing in a concert try to attend every rehearsal. If you have to miss a rehearsal for unavoidable reasons, you should let your Section Leader know in the first instance. Missing too many rehearsals may result in you being asked not to sing in the concert
• if you plan to sing in a concert you must attend the final three Tuesday rehearsals and the pre-concert rehearsals on the Friday evening and Saturday afternoon; no other members may attend these rehearsals.

Concert dress code

MEN: Black shirt (open at top button only), black trousers, possibly DJ depending on temperature. No handkerchief in top pocket etc.

WOMEN: All black, long dress/skirt or trousers, three quarter length sleeves. No bling (at all). 

Rehearsal aids for Messiah

Rehearsal aids are available from the usual sources including  ChoraLine, Choralia, Cyberbass and Saffron Choral Prompt. 

Rehearsal aids for the Choir Book (European Sacred Music - Oxford)

Rehearsal aids are available on our Rehearsal aids page.

Committee meetings and AGM

The Committee meets at the start of each term and again before each concert, concluding each term with a review of the concert just performed.

The Music Group is a sub-group of the Committee and meets to consider future repertoire, under the guidance of the Director of Music. The Music Group submits costed proposals for the full Committee to adopt, working on a 3-year Concert Season cycle.

The Annual General Meeting is held each September or October.

Members’ events

Occasional social events are planned for members and guests. 

Our Social Secretary, Juliet Brereton, will be pleased to receive any suggestions or offers to help.