Here is a list of the most frequent questions that new joiners ask…
WHEN?
Alternate Tuesday evenings, 6.00-7.30pm (See dates HERE)
WHERE?
The Waveney Centre, New Market, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 9HE
HOW MUCH?
£5 per session (Your first visit is free!)
HOW DO I PAY?
Pay as you go! No direct debits or termly fees – just pay at each session you attend. You can pay either electronically (contactless – by debit card or smartphone or chip and pin) or by cash.
WHAT SONGS DO YOU SING?
We sing well-known, feel-good songs that have a positive message from a range of genres and styles.
CLICK HERE for our full repertoire.
CLICK HERE for the practise list of songs and digitised copies of the songs that we will cover at our next session.
HOW FORMAL ARE THE SESSIONS?
The sessions are very informal, fun and friendly with lots of laughter (and lots of singing!)
WHAT SINGING ABILITY DO I NEED?
Beccles Community Choir is suitable for all levels of ability – from absolute beginners to more advanced “veteran’ singers. We learn songs by ear and through repetition and if you are unsure of any new song you are welcome to just listen until you are ready to join in.
DO YOU SING IN ‘PARTS’?
No. Unlike some choirs that may separate people into voice ranges (Women: Soprano, Mezzo, Alto and Men: Tenor, Baritone, Bass), we encourage people to sit wherever they would like to. We do sing and learn some harmonies but these are not obligatory and are taught to groups together rather than according to where your range is.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING ALONG?
Please bring along a pen/pencil to make notes where you wish to on your music, and maybe a drink.
A copy of all lyrics practised are provided at each session but if you prefer to bring along a tablet to display lyrics on, you can access digitised copies of lyrics by CLICKING HERE.
DO YOU HAVE ANY COVID SAFETY MEASURES?
Having suspended rehearsals in March 2020 as a result of the pandemic, we were able to briefly recommence sessions in September 2020. In November 2020, we had to suspend sessions again until September 2021. Since this time, we have managed to meet continuously.
During the pandemic, we operated a range of restrictions and control measures including compulsory face covering/mask wearing, social distancing, compulsory booking of places for track and trace procedure, one-way system for entrance and exit and with all doors and windows open throughout the entire session to name a few. To read more about these measures and processes, CLICK HERE.
On 21st February, 2022, the Government announced that they were lifting all remaining Coronavirus restrictions. In line with this Beccles Community Choir stopped or relax our remaining COVID control measures.
As of 2024, we do not currently have any official COVID safety measures in place. However, several measures that we had undertaken were considered to be a general benefit (or common sense) for our rehearsals by members so we have retained some of these. To find out what they are, CLICK HERE.
WHERE DO YOU MEET?
The Waveney Centre, New Market, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 9HE
HOW DO I FIND THE WAVENEY CENTRE?
The Waveney Centre is on New Market – a road which follows a squarish route around the town centre of Beccles.
On your first visit, the Waveney Centre can be easy to miss as it is set back from the road. The entrance to the centre is an opening between Abbotts estate agents and Hughes Electrical (diagonally opposite Barclays bank).
The app what3words, creates the following link ///household.habit.vibrate which can be used with Apple Maps or Google maps to find the Waveney centre.
N.B: What3words is an app divides the world into three-metre squares and gives each one a unique three-word address in order for places to be easily found!
WHERE CAN I PARK?
There is on-street parking nearby to the Waveney Centre which allows 30 minutes free parking Mon-Sat 8am-6pm.
So, if you park on these roads after 5.30pm, you can stay for free until the end of the choir session.
These roads include; New Market, The Walk, Saltgate and Smallgate
Alternatively, Tesco Beccles Superstore, NR34 9EJ allows 3 hours free parking and is a 5 minute walk (0.2 miles) from the Waveney Centre.
UPDATE (March 2024)
Members have commented that close on-street parking can be difficult to find lately.
Hungate Car Park is another alternative with 62 spaces and a closer walk than from Tesco.
You are permitted thirty minutes free parking and then there is no charge after 6pm. So, if you drive after 5.30pm, there is no charge to park here (although you must register the first 30 minutes until 8pm – to avoid a fine).
From here, it’s a short 300 yard walk down an alleyway called Horse & Groom lane (past Amphlett’s hair salon and then Greggs) and then turn left and you will see the entrance to The Waveney Centre.
PLEASE NOTE that London road (which is the road that becomes Hungate and where you turn into Hungate car park from can only be accessed from the South end – the turning from Peddars Lane (the road which Beccles hospital and Beccles war memorial is on)
WHAT ARE YOUR REHEARSALS LIKE?
WHEN SHOULD I TURN UP?
We start at 6pm but we unlock the centre from around 5.45pm – feel free to come along anytime after that and by 6pm.
HOW THE SESSION RUNS
We start with a simple vocal/physical warm-up conducted as a call and repeat which is led by Stephen, our choir master. This is followed by working through the song list. Around halfway through, we stop for a break.
ARE THERE TOILETS?
Yes! There are toilets inside the main entrance of the Waveney Centre (Directly inside the entrance – Ladies to the right and Gents to the left)
DO YOU HAVE A BREAK?
Yes! We have a break approximately half way through the session. You would be lucky to find a better view of the Waveney valley than from the gardens of the Waveney Centre so, if you come along, get some fresh air and enjoy the view.
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION THAT WASN’T LISTED ABOVE, JUST SCAN THIS CODE TO CHAT ON WHATSAPP
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If you think that there is any additional information we should have on this page that would help new joiners, please submit a FAQ suggestion below!