Current Vacancies
2 Bass members
1 Baritone member

Email us on info@nelsonarion.org.uk if you're interested.

FAQ
So you want to join the Arion?

What do I need to know?
   Here are a few questions you might feel you would like to ask, together with the answers.

Do I have to be able to read music?
   No, but the ability to follow will help.

What will be expected of me?
   Attendance at weekly rehearsal (7.30 to 9.30 Monday evenings in Nelson) and to have a reasonable singing voice.

Will I have to sing in front of everybody on my own?
   NO! Depending on your previous experience, after several weeks’ rehearsals, a private voice/range test will be given by the Musical Director.

Will further involvement in terms in terms of time be involved if I am accepted?
   Definitely! Being a member could demand commitment to around ten concerts a year, plus festivals, competitions and tours. It’s no easy ride, but it’s really enjoyable!.

Will I have to sing every time the choir has an engagement?
   Sometimes the choir at the particular venue may be chosen by the musical director, as some places cannot, or do not need to accommodate the whole choir. This means that you may not always be required to sing, but usually you will be chortling along with the rest.

Does my family have to be involved?
   That’s entirely up to you and your family. They will be made most welcome whether they attend concerts and festivals or join us on tours and social events.

What costs or expenditure will be involved?
   On acceptance, annual subscriptions, currently £40 (£20 if you are over 65) are payable. But there is no weekly charge and music loaned to you is free, as is your Arion jacket. You will be expected to provide your own dress trousers and white shirt. If we have local concerts, where coach travel is not provided by the choir you will be expected to pay your own way – many members share car expenses to keep costs down..

What do I get from being a member of the Arion?
   On a weekly basis you will get probably the finest singing/musical interpretation lesson for miles around, in the company of colleagues from all walks of life. You will become involved in producing some of the very best choral music in Britain. You will get that “buzz” when you have felt you have produced something that has given a lot of people pleasure – as well as yourself. You will also have that feeling of comradeship that comes from belonging to something that’s really worthwhile..

Is that all?
   No! If you are interested then email us info@nelsonarion.org.uk

Will I enjoy it?
   It will be confusing for a week or two, but persevere and not only will you enjoy it , but you will also get a lot of satisfaction.

Observation from one of our new members:

As a member of some 18 months (part of Tony's youth policy!!) it may be of interest sharing my thoughts and my feelings to date particularly reflecting on Frank's comments in the last issue of The Clarion. My choral experience prior to joining consisted of a few years in an operatic chorus, some 20 years ago, and more recently being a member of my local church choir, a small and largely untrained group with no great performance ambition, maybe not untypical of some of the other new members. But having always enjoyed singing, with Tony's encouragement and obvious enthusiasm for the Arion, I decided to take the plunge not knowing quite what to expect nor whether I had the ability or the capacity to make such a commitment.

The first few weeks of rehearsals were somewhat daunting though nearly always enjoyable. The range and size of the repertoire was totally unexpected, when after the first two rehearsals I suddenly carried a folder with maybe 30 or so pieces none of which I was remotely familiar with! To be alongside an experienced member was invaluable at this time and to realise that it wasn't all plain sailing for him also was comforting. It was also greatly beneficial to be warmly welcomed from the outset by the majority of the members hopefully many of you recalled those days from the dim and distant past when you were in a similar situation to me.

During this time I found Frank's unbelievable drive and attention to detail quite amazing and may it continue to be so and eventually his sense of humor, once I got used to it!

At last after a few false starts due to previous commitments I made my concert debut during which although somewhat nervous I got an incredible buzz from and an overriding feeling of the tradition I was helping in a small way to perpetuate. This I believe in an ever changing world when attracting new members, particularly youngsters like myself, is so difficult but is of prime importance and the best advert has got to be be the ongoing enthusiasm of ourselves.

So I have learnt and developed and hopefully will continue to do so, the necessary time required is sometimes an issue having a younger family than most of the members but with understanding from both sides is manageable.

Please Frank keep driving us on to better things and to my colleagues keep the welcome warm and in particular be understanding when to some of us the learning experience is steep.

Andrew.