Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question about Cool Choir?
Maybe it’s answered below!
What is Cool Choir?
Cool Choir is a group of fun, upbeat, NON-AUDITIONED adult rock and pop choirs grouped in a series of ‘communities’
Is there an age limit?
There is no upper age limit but you must be 18 and over to join
Do I need any singing experience or music training to join Cool Choir?
Absolutely NOT! We are a NON-AUDITIONED adult rock and pop choir that welcomes everyone! Many of our members are shower, car and karaoke singers!
I can’t read music. Can I still join Cool Choir?
YES absolutely! There is no requirement for you to be able to read music to join Cool Choir
My friends and family tell me “I sound like a frog” when I sing – I really don’t think you would want to hear me sing?
Cool Choir welcomes anybody and everybody over 18. We believe “if you can speak you can sing”. When you bring large numbers of people into a room to sing, everybody’s voice blends together. The result is the beautiful sound of human voices singing together in harmony. Don’t believe us? Check out our videos throughout our site of Cool Choir performing – do these people sound like “frogs” to you? 🙂
Who runs the choirs?
Cool Choir is run by fun-loving, people-loving, life-loving, outgoing and gregarious music professionals with formal musical training and extensive experience in the music industry.
Where can I attend a Cool Choir rehearsal?
We currently have two Cool Choir communities. Calgary Central (Hillhurst/Sunnyside, Inglewood and Lincoln Park) and Outer Calgary North (Cochrane, Airdrie and Hawkwood). You’ll find full details of meeting times and locations at www.coolchoir.com/locations
When do Cool Choir rehearsals take place?
Cool Choir rehearsals take place during three, 10-week trimesters. Fall (September – November), Winter (January – March) and Spring (April – June).
Can I try Cool Choir without committing to a full trimester?
YES, we offer FREE taster sessions weekly at any of our locations during each trimester. Just hit the ‘Book FREE Taster session’ big red button on the home page at www.coolchoir.com to register.
Can I book a FREE taster session in more than one Cool Choir Community?
Yes. Everyone is entitled to ONE FREE taster session per Cool Choir community (group of choirs).
What if I DO have singing and musical experience?
That’s great too, we welcome EVERYONE! Our members have a range of abilities and backgrounds
Are there opportunities for people to sing solo?
YES, while we are primarily an all-inclusive choir, there are opportunities to perform as a soloist too. Opportunities to solo are offered through an informal audition process throughout the year
What will I be singing if I join Cool Choir?
You will be singing a mix of rock and pop songs from classic to modern! We learn between 4-5 songs per trimester
You mention 4-5 songs per trimester. Will I have to learn all the words too?
For those wishing to perform, we do expect our members to know the words. Cool Choir is not a choir that presents itself during performances holding folders. We believe this negatively impacts both the performance, the presentation and most of all the ability to engage/communicate with an audience. We have lots of resources apart from the physical rehearsals to help. Once you become a member you will have access to a private member’s area where we provide lyrics, sheet music and professional audio recordings of the songs we learn, separated by parts. We put on extra rehearsals as we near a big performance and there are lots of smaller performances where you can join in and gain your confidence too throughout the year.
If I enjoy my FREE taster session, how do I join?
The morning immediately following your FREE taster session you will receive an email containing all the information you need to help you decide. All you need to do is respond to the email and we will do the rest.
How much does Cool Choir cost?
Cool Choir costs just $20 per week – that’s $200 plus GST for each of the three trimesters. However, you only pay for the remaining weeks of the trimester following your FREE taster session (the first time you join). There is also a mandatory one-off cost of $20 plus GST for a Cool Choir T-shirt added to your first invoice. The Cool Choir t-shirt is worn by all members at performances.
How do I pay?
Once you respond to the email and state your intention to join Cool Choir, you will receive an invoice. All payments are made online only through the invoice. Upon full receipt of your payment, we will send you a welcome email within 24 hours with your username and password to start accessing the practice resources in the private member’s area of the website
Can I pay weekly?
No. Cool Choir membership must be paid upfront at the start of each 10-week trimester, much like you would any other club membership. At the end of each trimester you are free to decide whether you wish to rejoin and continue into the next 10-week trimester
Why is there a fee to join Cool Choir?
Cool Choir is unlike any other choir you will join. We employ staff who work behind the scenes full time on a daily-basis to ensure members enjoy their experience to the maximum. We don’t just turn up at rehearsal, sing for two hours and go home. We spend our days looking for exciting new opportunities and experiences for members, arranging songs, socials, creating downloads/lyrics/sheet music and handling all of the administration that comes with organising a large membership-based group of people. There are a number of other costs involved in the running of Cool Choir too – from insurance, marketing, website maintenance and venue-hire to legal clearance of song rights, all of which amount to surprisingly huge overheads behind the scenes!
What happens once I pay my fee?
You will be given access to a private member’s area which contains all the information you will need to become an active member of Cool Choir. You will find everything from performance information to rehearsal schedules. Mainly, this is where you can access learning resources for the songs we sing
What is my time commitment to Cool Choir?
Once you join your commitment is one 10-week trimester! You can sing as much or as little as you wish – currently from 2 to 6 hours per week. If you wish to perform, there may be some extra rehearsals that run closer to a performance but you will be notified well in advance of those dates and times.
What happens if I am sick or on vacation and cannot attend?
When you join Cool Choir, you are joining not only one choir but a group of choirs in a specific Cool Choir community. You are free to move around within those choirs at any time (within your specific Cool Choir community). If you are sick or on vacation, you can attend another choir within your Cool Choir community that week OR attend an extra rehearsal the following week. You can also use the audio downloads provided in the private member’s area to help bridge the gap of any rehearsals you are unable to attend
What happens if my regular rehearsal falls on a STAT holiday?
There is no refund for rehearsals that fall on STAT holidays. You are encouraged to attend another rehearsal that week at one of the other choirs within your Cool Choir community.
I notice you have performances during the year, are these mandatory?
No, these are not mandatory. You can choose to participate in ALL or NONE of the performances.
Can I attend Cool Choir rehearsals in more than one community?
Should you wish to join Cool Choir in more than one community (a group of choirs) you would be required to join each Cool Choir community on a separate membership. Each choir is run by a different choir leader and we are not singing the same songs in each Cool Choir community.
Is there an opportunity to socialise with my fellow choir members?
YES, in fact we absolutely encourage it. Cool Choir is not just about singing, it’s about joining the family! We arrange at least one ‘official’ social per trimester and members get together in between. Many members have made lifelong friends through Cool Choir and you will too!
Will Cool Choir ever expand into any other parts of Calgary?
YES! Pending the recruitment of another leader, Cool Choir will hopefully be launching next year in South Calgary (including Okotoks).
Will Cool Choir ever expand into any other parts of Canada?
Yes. We’re currently looking for choir leaders across Canada and hope to expand to other cities and towns nationally over the next few years!
Can I help connect with you choir leaders who I think might be suitable for future Cool Choir expansions?
Yes…and what’s more…we’re offering a generous referral fee to anybody who helps connect us with a talented choir leader across Canada who goes on to launch a Cool Choir community of their own. Please get in touch if you think you can help and direct any potential Cool Choir leaders you think might be suitable to www.coolchoir.com/careers for the full role spec and application process
Have a Different Question?
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Or call — (587) 387 2775