Everything you need to know in order to join
Ubuntu Community Choir!
* What is rehearsal like?
You will find rehearsal to have a very warm, relaxed atmosphere, though we are often also very focused and musical (especially coming up to a performance). We start off with vocal warm-ups and also interactive games. Then we get down to singing songs, and you can expect anything from a South African folk song and dance to a hymn from the page to a song that someone from the group suggests or even teaches. We often work in small groups, but also learn as a whole group. And we often hang around after rehearsal to bond and have fun. :)
You will find rehearsal to have a very warm, relaxed atmosphere, though we are often also very focused and musical (especially coming up to a performance). We start off with vocal warm-ups and also interactive games. Then we get down to singing songs, and you can expect anything from a South African folk song and dance to a hymn from the page to a song that someone from the group suggests or even teaches. We often work in small groups, but also learn as a whole group. And we often hang around after rehearsal to bond and have fun. :)
* Do I need to be able to read music?
Absolutely not! We learn in a variety of ways, and most members of Ubuntu can't fully read Western music notation. However, during rehearsal we do aim to help you learn to decipher this perplexing, yet ultimately helpful, way of conveying musical information! That said, if you do read music, you will likely still find sufficient challenge for your other skills: you can work on learning by ear, or we may have you help teach a voice part! |
* What kinds of music do you sing?
We sing a great deal of folk music (which includes world music, spirituals, and more), but also pop, musical theatre, classical, hymns, and Christmas carols. We have sung songs from the US, England, South Africa (in Sotho, Zulu, Swati, Xhosa, and Afrikaans!), Kenya, Japan, Indonesia, Bulgaria, The Netherlands, Scotland, India (in Bengali), and more... we've also sung in Latin, Hebrew, and Yiddish! As a member of Ubuntu, you are always welcome to request or suggest a song. Sometimes, our members take the lead on teaching songs from their own countries (or that they simply like!).
We sing a great deal of folk music (which includes world music, spirituals, and more), but also pop, musical theatre, classical, hymns, and Christmas carols. We have sung songs from the US, England, South Africa (in Sotho, Zulu, Swati, Xhosa, and Afrikaans!), Kenya, Japan, Indonesia, Bulgaria, The Netherlands, Scotland, India (in Bengali), and more... we've also sung in Latin, Hebrew, and Yiddish! As a member of Ubuntu, you are always welcome to request or suggest a song. Sometimes, our members take the lead on teaching songs from their own countries (or that they simply like!).
* Who are your members?
Many of our members are students, many work, and some do both. Many are from the US, but just as many are from around the world. For more information about who we are, check out the About and Meet Ubuntu tabs! |
* When and where do you meet?
We meet every Sunday from 6 - 8 PM at TruVoice Studios NYC, at 1841 Broadway (entrance actually on 60th street), suite 713. This is a very convenient location, quite close to Columbus Circle!
We meet every Sunday from 6 - 8 PM at TruVoice Studios NYC, at 1841 Broadway (entrance actually on 60th street), suite 713. This is a very convenient location, quite close to Columbus Circle!
* How much does it cost to attend?
In order to keep Ubuntu going strong, we pay membership dues. Your first time singing with Ubuntu only costs $5! After that, you pay dues on a sliding scale: attendees making a full-time yearly salary pay $15 per session or $150 for a semester (12 sessions); students and others not employed full-time pay $10 per session or $100 for the semester. However, work-study positions are available, so if cost is a serious deterrent, contact Emily for one of these positions in exchange for discounted dues. (Examples include publicity, attendance, social chair, audio visual point-person...) |
* How do I join?
If you want to join this fabulous group, or require any further information, please contact Emily at [email protected]! Or just show up Sunday at 3 PM!