how to get the most out of our harmony masterclass!

If you're a woman aged 16+ and you love to sing, you might have already been tempted by our upcoming Harmony Masterclass course!  If this is the first you're hearing about it, then grab a pencil and get ready to mark the date in your diary...

From Thursday 29th August, More Harmony will be holding a four-week course (held on consecutive Thursday nights, 7:15pm-9:30pm), teaching you all you need to know about singing in harmony!  From posture to performance, we've got everything covered.  You'll learn where your voice fits within our chorus - are you a bass, baritone, lead or tenor? - and we'll teach you to sing two songs with us, one up-tune and one ballad.  It promises to be a a lot of fun and with all of the proven health and wellbeing benefits associated with singing, there are a hundred different reasons why you should definitely come along and join in!

Of course, whilst we can promise a warm welcome, a cuppa during the break and all of the learning materials you'll need, you might be wondering what you can do to ensure you get the absolute most out of the course.  Well, we've got some handy tips...

1. come prepared!

You might not realise it, but singing is something of a workout - albeit one that is very accessible to all of us, without having to be a gym bunny!  You'll want to bring a bottle of water with you, as it can be thirsty work.  Consider eating at least an hour beforehand, so there's not a heavy meal sitting in your stomach when you arrive - you don't want to feel uncomfortable!  Speaking of which, wear something you feel happy to move in and which lets you breathe easily, plus a comfy pair of shoes.
 

 2. take time to get to know people if you can

More Harmony are a sociable bunch!  We're often found getting together for meals out, drinks or additional practises in between rehearsals and we believe that our closeness is a big part of what makes our chorus special. 

So, if you're able to arrive closer to 7pm rather than the course start time of 7:15pm, why not spent a bit of that extra time getting to know your fellow singers?  It'll help you feel at ease and you may well find yourself making some long-lasting friendships.  We're a very small chorus, so you won't be intimidated by dozens of names to learn, or a huge array of new faces.  We're small enough that every section knows one another, which we think is a very good thing.  And of course, on that first night, you won't necessarily know in advance which section you'll end up in, so it never hurts to say hello to everyone - you never know whether the person you nattered about dog-walking with might end up being your section leader!   

Don't worry if you're a little on the shy side - we have all kinds of fabulous women singing with us and one of us is bound to say hello if you don't feel able to take that first step.
 

3. never be afraid to ask for help!

When you enter a brand new environment, full of people you don't know, it's easy to get a bit overwhelmed.  Particularly if you're trying to learn a new skill, too!  Each and every one of us was once a "newbie" - whether we came to More Harmony with lots of singing experience, or had never sung a note before, we all had to start our musical journey somewhere.  Make the most of the friendly, helpful people you have around you within the chorus and if something doesn't make sense, ask for clarification.  If you have a question, never be afraid to ask - if the person next to you doesn't know the answer, we can assure you someone is bound to!  Our chorus thrives on being a supportive, encouraging place, so never feel like you can't ask for extra help if you need it.  
 

4. practise, practise, practise!

We know you're a busy woman - we all are!  But the bottom line is, you'll get more out of singing with us, whether on a course or as a full member, if you put in the effort to practise between rehearsals.  We'll give you all the support you need, plus any advice and guidance you might find useful, but the best way to ensure you can participate fully and really reap the benefits of singing is by taking the time to learn your part.  Some of our members like to get together in sections to practise between rehearsals, others have teach tracks playing during their commute to and from work and some take 20 minutes or so before bed to really focus on listening to the notes and the lyrics.  Whatever method suits you best, we guarantee you'll enjoy yourself all the more on Thursday nights if you've done your "homework!"

5. don't forget to enjoy yourself!

We know that singing is quite a personal thing and that doing it in a room full of strangers can be nerve-wracking, at first (you'll never be asked to sing solo in front of everyone - don't worry!).  Add performance skills and silly warm-up games into the mix and we can understand why some people might feel a little self-conscious when they first join in. However, we're proud of the inclusive, warm environment we've created at More Harmony and we always aim to make it a fun, safe space for all women to explore their voices and discover their inner divas!  So, throw caution to the wind and let Thursday nights be your time to shine.

Don't stress if you're not note or word perfect right away - that's what practising at home is for!  All we ask is that you bring your enthusiasm - the polish can be added as we go along and with a bit of teamwork, we'll have you sparkling by the end of the course!  


Our Harmony Masterclass course begins on Thursday 29th August, 7:15pm at Wadebridge Ambulance Hall.  Parking can be found in the library or Co-op car parks and the Ambulance Hall itself is situated at the end of Fairpark Road (down the side of The Regal Cinema).  The cost of the course is £10 and we will supply all of your learning materials.  You can simply turn up on the night, or if you'd like to book a place in advance, you can email us and we'll be happy to save you a space!