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 across multiple locations

Is Cool Choir operating during the Covid19 pandemic?

During the Covid19 pandemic, our rehearsals were online-only, and no free taster sessions were offered. However, we start up again in September 2021, and we are hopeful of returning to in-person rehearsals (as per pre-Covid). Please register your interest to join here, and we’ll be in touch before September 2021 with details on how to join once we have an update on the current singing restrictions.

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. Think about a hockey game. When the fans sing and chant together have you noticed how perfectly in time and tune they are? This is the result of the beautiful sound of human voices singing together. 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 three locations in Calgary. (Hillhurst-Sunnyside, Inglewood and Lincoln Park)

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 more than one FREE taster session at Cool Choir?

No. Each person is entitled to ONE free taster session at any one of our locations before deciding whether they would like to join as a regular member

What if I DO have singing and musical experience?

That’s great, 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, internal 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 a minimum of 5 songs per trimester (ten weeks)

You mention 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. Also, our directors are trained to provide clear, visual prompts during a performance – which members report being the most effective tool for lyrics recall.

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 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 in my area?

Yes…and what’s more…we’re offering a generous referral fee or a free choir trimester to anybody who helps connect us with a talented choir leader across Canada who subsequently 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