Frequently asked questions

Do I need to have previous singing experience?

No. Anyone can join us. Our members come from all kinds of different backgrounds. We support each other and make everyone feel included.

Do I need to be able to read music?

No. You do not need to be able to read music. We do sing from sheet music, but you can just follow the lyrics to get started. As time goes on you will pick up bits of music theory too. If you have any questions or want to learn more about the sheet music, many of our members would be glad to help.

What do we sing?

Our repertoire is driven by our singers, we work closely with all of our members to find music that is fun and challenging for us and both breathtaking and powerful for our audiences. We’re currently working on a powerful mix of classical choral pieces and musical theatre showstoppers.

What age can I join?

You must be at least 16 years old to join Collective. We don’t have a strict upper age limit, we advertising our age range as 16–35+. If you’re over 35 but feel you don’t quite fit into adult community choirs - which generally attract a much older member base - then you might find Collective a better fit.

What do I need to bring?

It’s always a good idea to bring water and a pencil to rehearsals, there are places to refill water bottles at the rehearsal venue.

Where and when are rehearsals?

We rehearse at Sage Gateshead. Our rehearsal schedule is released shortly before each term and is emailed to all of our singers. Rehearsals are normally on Saturday afternoons. Each rehearsal will be around 3 hours. If there are any changes we will let you know.

What happens if I miss a rehearsal?

We encourage all choir members to attend weekly rehearsals and to contact us if you are unable to make one. If you miss more than three rehearsals in a term you might not be able to perform.

How much will the rehearsals cost?

Each rehearsal is just £3. To make things simple, you can pay by credit or debit card on the day. We can accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards. You can also pay in advance to save money, just ask one of our team at your first rehearsal.

Where does the money go?

Collective is a charity (registered charity in England and Wales, number 1180568), every penny we gather from members is put back into the choir. Collective is ran by a team of volunteers who give up their own time to help make Collective a success for everyone. If you want to contribute to the choir you can make a donation or get involved.