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Interested in singing with us?
We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic new singing members. Previous singing experience isn't essential and neither is being able to read music - quite a few of us don't.

The Stuart Singers

We set ourselves high standards but we're a sociable bunch. The atmosphere at our weekly Thursday night rehearsals in Minchinhampton is always convivial and relaxed.

What we expect of you
Informal though we are, we do recognise that, in order to maintain a high standard, a degree of commitment is essential.

Of course members cannot avoid missing rehearsals and concerts from time to time, but you would be expected to attend the final two Thursdays and one Sunday afternoon rehearsal prior to our main June and December concerts.

Concerts
Our "home concerts" are held on one weekend in both June and December - performances on Friday and Saturday evenings in Minchinhampton. You would be expected to be able to attend all four of these performances. We perform about a dozen other concerts a year and coach travel is provided to all but the most local venues.

If you're interested email Sheila Palmer or ring her on 01453 731968.

Gerry and Barrie

Our conductor Gerry Palmer with our accompanist Barrie Cooper at the piano.

Choir Membership
Membership of the choir runs from 1 June to 31 May and costs £25:00.

Associate Membership
If you aren't a singer, but you'd like to support the Stuart Singers in our fundraising efforts, you can become an Associate Member.

As one of our 230+ Associate Members you'll receive our quarterly Newsletter (by post or email). It has news of our forthcoming concerts and social events, together with features about the choir and its members. Of course, we look forward to your company at our social events and we are delighted to give you priority booking at all our concerts.

Subscription rates are voluntary (the more the better) but the current minimum annual rates are:

Individual   £7:00
Joint (2 people at the same address) £11:00
Family (Maximum of 4 people at the same address) £20:00

So please join us. Email Mark Thomas or ring him on 01453 731135, and he'll sign you up.

The subscription year runs from 1 June to 31 May. Members joining after February in any year qualify for membership until 31 May the following year.

Business Membership
Through our Business Membership Scheme, we enjoy the support in our fundraising activities of many Corporate Sponsors and Supporters. If you are interested in your company joining them, email our Membership Secretary Mark Thomas or ring him on 01453 731135.

Our Business Supporters

Apple Design
Autonumis Limited
Barnwood Shopfitting Ltd.
Paul A Kirby - Stonewalling
The Lansdown Clinic
Pulse Data Graphics

Robert Smith & Company
Stroud Office Supplies
The Crown Inn
The Kitchen
The Trumpet
TSL

Our history
We gave our first concert - all 22 of us - in May 1992 and after its success we established our pattern of biannual early Summer and Winter concerts in Minchinhampton. Even in those early days we had our Associate Membership scheme and soon had our trusty staging built to allow us to present a more professional picture in Minchinhampton's Holy Trinity Church.

The choir at its first concert The choir at its first concert

Gradually through the years our numbers grew, as did our repertoire and the quality of our performances, thanks to the tireless work of our founder and conductor Gerry Palmer. By 1998 we were 50 strong and we sang for the first time at the prestigious venue of Cheltenham's Pittville Pump Room. 2000 saw the first of our trips to Lèves, near Chartres and we were invited back in 2003. By 2001 we were also singing in ten or so concerts a year organised by others - including a Christmas concert in Gloucester Cathedral which was broadcast on Severn Sound on the day itself!

Our 10th Anniversary Year was marked by a splendid concert in the Pittville Pump Room and also a notable invitation to sing in the Chapel at Eton College.

  
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