BAND OF ANGELS GOSPEL CHOIR

INFORMATION BOOKLET

Welcome to the Band of Angels Gospel Choir. This information booklet tries to answer the most common questions people have when starting out with us. Our rehearsal nights are busy with the focus on singing so there’s not always time to spend with new people, but you are VERY welcome and if you want more information or need help with anything, please ask one of the friendly faces in your section or speak to the Musical Director, Rosie Johnstone.

What is the Band of Angels?

It’s a secular community gospel choir that sings African and African American Gospel Music. We normally sing a cappella (without accompaniment) in four-part harmony, and our repertoire ranges from grooving modern numbers to soulful spirituals of the last century. While neither black nor African American, we aim to bring spirit, passion and accuracy to our interpretation of this rich musical tradition. We have an open door policy and believe that this music encourages everyone to sing and sing well!

How did the Band of Angels get started?

Rosie Johnstone started the choir in March 1998, by placing articles in the local press inviting people to come along to the Victoria Hall in Fremantle if they wanted to take part. 70 people came the first night, 100 the second and 200 the third! Over time the numbers have settled down and in recent years we have had a steady core of 40 people participating with others coming and going.

How good do I have to be to join?

We do not audition singers for the choir because we want people to feel welcome to join in. You don’t have to be able to read music or to have sung with a choir before. However, we do have high expectations of ourselves and we strive to sing very well. This is particularly true when we perform so there are particular requirements that we ask choir members to uphold if they want to perform and these are outlined in this booklet. Also, as the choir matures the standard improves and people want to keep getting better so it’s likely that if you’re a newcomer now, you’ll have to work a bit harder than those who joined in the early days. But we know that you’ll also have plenty of fun so it’s well worth it!

You need to be aware that we work quickly when we are learning new songs and that we don’t usually go back over parts in detail once a song is well established. Given that we have an active repertoire of about 40 songs at any one time, this means you will need to do some catching up to get started or when you miss weekly singing.

We provide music for most songs and are slowly developing a library of parts CD’s and tapes to help you learn and practice songs in between weekly sessions. You are also encouraged to bring a small recorder along to weekly singing. When you’re starting out, stand near someone who looks (and sounds!) like they know what they’re doing and feel free to ask for help. The good news is that gospel, by and large, is easy to pick up and quite repetitive.

What kind of music does Band of Angels sing?

We sing African American and African gospel music and tend to concentrate on songs as performed by Black American choirs, groups and quartets. Much of our music comes through our association with Tony Backhouse and E. Patrick Johnson and we are grateful for their contribution. Recently, choir members have also begun composing work for the choir, which is an exciting initiative and to be encouraged! Anyone can suggest material although decisions on repertoire reside with Rosie.

A bit more background…

Spirituals are songs dating from the time of slavery (17th, 18th & 19th century) and as such, have no author. They were passed on through a strong oral tradition and as a result there can be a 100 different versions of one spiritual. Spirituals tend to be based on the Old Testament, since slave owners were less enthusiastic about the New Testament with its message of love for your fellow man etc. So you cannot write a spiritual now, although you could write a song in the style of a spiritual

Gospel music is music of the 20th and 21st century, following emancipation and the move of some freed slaves from the rural south to the industrial north of America. This music does have an identified composer such as Thomas Dorsey, Kirk Frankland and James Cleveland. Gospel music is a huge genre incorporating early gospel hymns and quartet numbers to today’s modern gospel which is played with a full band and can include elements from hip hop, classical music and anything in between. In general, gospel music is repetitive, dynamic and accessible but also given to personal interpretation in areas of tempo, phrasing etc. Given this, the choir director is very important and gospel choirs watch their directors intently as they may not know when the director will end the song abruptly for a show biz effect or when a phrase will be repeated endlessly to invoke emotion from the congregation, audience and choir. So, be warned!

What happens at rehearsal nights?

Rehearsals are held from 7 – 9pm every Monday. They start promptly with a brief warm-up followed by some detailed work on new material, material that we are developing or songs that need brushing up ready for performance. At 8pm we have a short break and discuss any matters that need the choir’s attention, such as upcoming gigs, organisation of choir projects etc. For the remainder of the night we keep working on our repertoire and make sure that each week we leave having had a really good sing. It is very important that people are fully attentive throughout singing times and wait for the break to catch up with fellow choir members.

Some Angels go to the nearby RoseHotel for a drink after choir and anyone is welcome to join.

What are the requirements for performances?

  • Musical standards: You need to know your part of all the songs we are going to perform. This means you are confident about the notes and the words (no sheet music allowed!), can remember your entrances, the phrasing and dynamics of each song.
  • Frequency and attendance: We usually do a gig each month, although it varies according to what opportunities arise and what gigs we choose to take on. Those members who want to perform with the choir need to be willing to attend most performances. (NB. You can be part of the choir and not perform). Occasional absences due to competing demands are understandable but it is not acceptable to just pick and choose according to whim. If you indicate that you will participate in a gig, you need to be there. We are usually paid for our performances and it is extremely damaging to our credibility if the balance between sections is out or if our numbers are substantially lower than advertised.

oDress code:

All clothing items must be in good repair, neat and clean.

TOP HALF – BRIGHT COLOURED SATIN SHIRTS

The effect we are going for with the costumes is to look like a living stained glass window (if you can make sense of that!). Therefore all choir members require a bright coloured shirt with full-length sleeves, buttons down the front and a standard lapel collar (not Chinese or Mandarin collar, grandpa or tie at neck style). Fabric must be shiny and plain. No pattern and no embossing or woven/textured pattern. Satin is ideal, as it looks vibrant and lights up with any stage lighting, but other fabrics with high sheen and two-way colour tone can also work well. Strong rich colours are required, not pastels or soft shades, no whites, blacks or browns. If in doubt a colour chart indicating suitable fabrics and colours is available for you to check or ask someone in your section of the Choir. Op shops are a great low-cost option for finding appropriate shirts.

In 2003 we printed Band of Angels T-shirts, which we occasionally wear for performances. When there is sufficient demand further print runs are undertaken. In the interim, some shirts are available for you to borrow if required for performance.

BOTTOM HALF – BLACK TROUSERS AND SHOES

Plain black full-length trousers or skirt with black stockings. No pin stripes or self-pattern. Plain black shoes in a closed-in style or, if not closed in, wear solid black stockings or black socks.

OTHER:

For the comfort of others and to avoid setting off allergies please do not use perfumes, aftershave, strong smelling hairspray etc before performances.

How do I get to do a solo?

Anyone can have a go at solos and members are encouraged to just give it a go. Rosie will indicate when she wants someone in particular to sing a solo or whether she’s looking for volunteers. Although we now have a lot of confident soloists in the choir, most of them will tell you that they started out feeling very shy and nervous (and not sounding the best!) so don’t be intimidated by other’s ability. Many will also tell you that learning to solo with the choir has been a liberating experience and done heaps for their self-confidence. We also have monthly solo nights on Tuesday evenings to give people a chance to try things out in a smaller group. These nights are held in people’s homes and details are shared at normal weekly sessions so you can choose to come along. Participants make a contribution to the fee for the solo night leader (either Rosie or vocal teacher Annie Neil).

Where does my money go?

Each week you pay a door charge of either $8 or $6, according to your capacity to pay. A small amount of this goes to the Choir Development Fund and the remainder is paid to the Rosie. From this Rosie pays the person on the door and the hire of the hall.

In addition, Rosie is paid for any arranging she does, conducting performances and she receives a small royalty on CD sales. After these costs are covered, any income from performances, CD sales or occasional fundraising activity goes to the Choir Development Fund.

We agree together on spending of the Choir Development Fund and in recent times it has been used for recording the CD, topping up fees for solo night leaders, arrangement fees, cash-flow for organising and promoting Hot Gospel concerts, PR material etc.

Other costs you can incur include:

  • Providing your costume for performance – remember the op shops!
  • Travel costs to performances that are in the country or interstate – these performances are always optional, are planned well in advance with affordable travel, accommodation etc a priority. The Choir Development Fund often offsets costs for these events.
  • Camp fees at Wollaston – again, this is an optional event.

How is the Band of Angels organised?

As Musical Director, Rosie makes decisions about repertoire, set lists for performances and any other musical matters (although she frequently asks for input along the way). The full choir makes major decisions of the non-musical variety at weekly singing sessions. There is no committee structure and we try to keep everything as open as possible. When jobs need doing we call for volunteers and projects are then managed by a small group of choir members, assisted by others as required. There are a lot of different skills in the choir and people are generous in offering them. We try not to overwork any one person so you should feel encouraged to make a contribution in whatever way you can!

Each year Rosie gives out a questionnaire to gain feedback on all aspects of choir – repertoire, musical standards, level of activity, socialising etc – and this is an important guide in her planning for the year.

Each year we have a weekend camp at Wollaston, near BoldPark. As much as anything this is a social event (our annual ‘bonding’ exercise!) and a great deal of fun. We also do a lot of singing and enjoy having time to try things that can’t be fitted in to weekly singing sessions. The Saturday night concert has become a highlight of the year as choir members stretch themselves to share their talents. The camp is also a good time to talk through various matters that require more time than Monday nights afford. The camp is optional and we each pay a fee for full board for the weekend.

Other information:

  • Our website is at
  • Name tags can be made for you – ask for Moira
  • Make sure your details are included in our contact and email list – ask for Lillian
NOW FORGET ALL THIS AND JUST REMEMBER –

HAVE FUN, FOCUS & SING FROM THE HEART!