The Choir is a registered charity, we run our own affairs cooperatively, with an elected committee of trustees. We have aroung 80 members and welcome new members throughout the year.
Our stated values inform the ethos of the choir - how we recruit, the songs we choose sing and where we perform.
- We welcome all-comers and all voices, irrespective of musical knowledge or experience and we don’t audition.
- We encourage, value and celebrate community, cultural diversity, inclusion, peace and freedom from all kinds of discrimination and oppression.
- We are not a religious or political choir; we are open to members of all religions and political persuasions.
- We don’t discriminate against any individual on grounds of race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), sex, gender identity, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability or characteristics.
- Members of the choir respect each other, each other’s’ voices, our MD and the staff and audiences of rehearsal and performance venues.
At our performances, photos are usually taken and video recordings are made, and these may be published on our website and on our social media accounts
Our dress code for performances is plain black tops and bottoms plus plain bright green accessories.
We learn songs by ear, so you do not need to be able to read music. Lyrics and teach tracks for the songs we sing are on the members' area of our website, to help you practise between rehearsals. We rehearse three times a month, usually on the first Sunday (3.30-5.45 pm) and second two Mondays (7.30-9.30 pm) in every month.
Public transport to Didsbury Baptist Church: the Church is almost opposite the Didsbury Village Metrolink stop, and buses X57, 42, 142, 84, 171, 371 and 23 stop nearby.
There is parking on the adjacent roads, off School Lane and on other roads the other side of Wilmslow Road.
Subscriptions
Trustees endeavour to keep subscriptions as low as possible, the rates for 2024-5 are
- Band 1 (Average income or above) £150 per year (pro rata for mid year joiners),
- Band 2 (Low income) £113 per year (pro rata for mid year joiners),
- Band 3 (Very low income) £75 per year (pro rata for mid year joiners).
You can pay the subscription by bank transfer or by cheque or cash. Most people pay by bank transfer to Manchester Community Choir – our account number is 50069499 and sort code 08-92-50. Please remember to put your name as the bank transfer reference.
Manchester Community Choir is a registered charity so you can boost your subscription payment by up to 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 you pay.
We have a Choir Assistance Fund and may be able to provide help with costs for members who would otherwise be unable to attend rehearsals, performances, workshops and festivals with the Choir. We maintain a separate fund for this purpose (donations to the fund are always welcome!).
Just contact the chair, in confidence, and let them know what you need.
