Altnagelvin Hospital Choir

How much experience do I need?

The Altnagelvin Hospital Choir performs small and large scale works from a classical and modern repertoire, so some experience with singing, reading and learning music is highly desirable.  Have a read through some of our recently performed repertoire to get an idea.

The definition of ‘reading music’ is pretty wide, though, and our members range from those can sing from a first sight-read and have a deep understanding of musical notation, to the greater number of us who can read musical notation but rely on rehearsals and hearing recordings to learn pieces. 

Where possible, we do seek out and encourage you to find your own rehearsal and note-learning aids. We’ll share them in our Member’s Section of this site. Please email or use the Contact Us form if you need the password…

Do I have to work in the Hospital to join the choir?

Not at all! You don’t have to be a current or former staff member of the the Western Health & Social Care Trust or even a relative or friend of one, to join our choir. We will be very happy to welcome you in.

We do ask that you have some experience of singing and reading music. We will ask you for a brief summary of your experience in terms of previous choir membership and your links to the Trust in a short membership application form. 

If you don’t know, or are not sure of, your voice range (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass), then we can arrange a short session with the Musical Director to work this out and get to know you.

You can join us by

1. contacting a current member;
2. email us using this address: AltnagelvinHospitalChoir@gmail.com;
3. use Contact Us button on this site or our Facebook Page. 

When and where do you rehearse?

We rehearse on Thursday evenings from 730-930pm and the Trust Headquarters (‘MDEC’) building at Altnagelvin Hospital. This is building 13 on the map below.

If you drive in via the Glenshane Road entrance, drive straight through the small roundabout, drive past the multi-story car park and take the first left, just past the trees.  Trust Headquarters (also known as the ‘MDEC’) will be straight in front of you, just to the left, past the trees.

If you drive in via the Crescent Link Road entrance, take the first right and then the first right again.  The MDEC is right in front of you. Go in the main entrance and you will find the Lecture Theatre signposted, but it is straight ahead, through two sets of doors.

The Trust Headquarters (‘MDEC’) is Building number 13 on the map below. Parking is free around there and there is always plenty of space to park out of hours, at the time of the rehearsals. Enter the main door (the one facing you as you drive towards it) and walk straight ahead, past reception and through two sets of double doors and you will then be in the Lecture Theatre where we rehearse.

You can park just in front of the entrance or in Car Park 6, just past the MDEC building.  Parking is always available at rehearsal times.

First rehearsal attendance

Please find the member you know, who can bring you to the Musical Director, Dr Derek Collins and Chairperson Teresa Sweidan. Alternatively, we are both easy to find at rehearsals – just ask someone!

Rehearsals begin at 730pm, but we stop for tea / coffee half way through and finish at 930pm.  Please be ready to sing at 730pm, so arrive early and help set the chairs up! We run a voluntary rota for 2 people to set this up each week, bringing some milk and snacks and ask for members to give £1 towards the choir costs each week at tea.  Don’t worry, as when you first volunteer, someone who has already done it will be with you. The break for tea is a lovely opportunity for choir members to introduce themselves and get to know you.  It is a short break that we cherish as a social aspect of our weekly rehearsals.

Atire

Rehearsals – relaxed, whatever you wish within the realms of common decency ;-)!

Main Concert Performances – Ladies black on black with black tights (skirts/trousers with blouses or dresses are up to you); Men black dinner jacket, black trousers, black bow tie and white shirt. See below!

Church Services / ICU Memorial / Carol Service – ‘Sunday Best’ including tie for men.