Listed below is the information you will need if you are performing at Windsor Castle on 9th December, and our concert on 16th. Please excuse the lengthy email: there is a fair amount of logistical detail that will be useful for those attending Windsor, so please read carefully if this applies to you!

Windsor Castle, Saturday 9th December

For those participating, please can you ensure that, by 6th December latest, you have:

– Paid £10 coach fare (please bring money to rehearsal)

– Confirmed with Alison preferred pick up for coach, either:

• St Crispin’s at 09:45 or 
• South Hill Park at 10:00 (if the latter please park in small car park adjacent to pond).

– Have collected a red Singhealthy choir folder for your music (if you are not also singing on 16th, please return the folder w/c 11th)

– Completed the ID/‘model release’/photographic consent form

If you will require a seat during the 30 minute performance or need to access St George’s Hall via a step-free route, please let Alison know by the same date.

On the day:

Music: Please bring the following pieces with you in your red Singhealthy choir folder (this is the order that we will sing the pieces in):

Ding Dong Merrily On High
Candlelight Carol
Away in a Manger  – Normandy Tune
Noel (…If I were a Star…)
The Boar’s Head Carol
Christmas Lullaby
Carol of the Bells
While Shepherds Watched – Cranbrook Tune
A Merry Christmas
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
O Come All Ye Faithful

Dress code: Red Singhealthy polo shirts, smart black trousers/skirts, black shoes. We will be performing indoors, but please bring sufficient outer garments to walk from the entrance to St George’s Hall, ideally a red choir fleece, or something else red or black. The Castle has requested no jeans, denim or trainers please.

Security: No additional ID is required, but please only bring the minimum necessary into the castle as there will be airport-style security at the entrance. Please avoid bring any items that could cause an issue!

Photography: photos are permitted in the open-air grounds, but not inside any of the buildings.

Water: small bottles of water are permitted if carried/used discreetly.

Food: You are welcome to bring a packed lunch, but there is no facility to purchase or consume food within the Castle, so it might be easier to eat in the town.

Tickets: For anyone who would like to come along to listen (inc. friends and family), tickets are available to purchase in advance or on the day. More info here: https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/whatson/event/870673/Festive-Weekend

Timings:

We will arrive at Windsor at 10:45 and will immediately progress to the Castle Admission Centre in one group, to be fast-tracked through security. We will then have a comfort stop and drop off coats before entering St George’s Hall. We will perform in St George’s Hall at 12:00.

After the performance, you are free to enjoy the other festivities taking place in the castle, or venture into town. You can swap your entry ticket for a wrist band at the Castle exit to enable free re-entry later in the day (please bear in mind you will need to re-enter via security and there may be queues).

The coach will then depart from the drop off point at 17:00.

Christmas Concert, Saturday 16th December

If you are planning on singing at the concert, please make sure you have added you name to the participants list at rehearsal.

Music: Please bring the following pieces with you in your red Singhealthy choir folder (this is the running order, and there will be breaks between some pieces for the band, CLASP choir and school choir):

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (with audience)
Candlelight Carol – Rutter
Away in a Manger – Normandy Tune
Go Tell it on the Mountain

INTERVAL

Ding Dong Merrily on High (with audience)
The Boar’s Head Carol
Carol of the Bells
While Shepherds Watched their Flocks -Ilkley Moor          
O Come All Ye Faithful (with audience)        
Christmas Lullaby
Twelve Days of Christmas (with audience – no sheet music required)

Dress code: FORMAL concert dress: all black, plus red scarf/tie. Please see Ann if you require a red scarf/woggle (ladies), or black shirt/red tie (gentlemen).

Timings:

Please arrive at St Crispins and assemble in the gym at 14:45.

We will then practice the seating/stage arrangements, and rehearse our a cappella pieces on stage, breaking at approx. 16:45

Please reassemble in the gym by 18:00

We will rehearse on stage with the band 18:15–18:45, with a short break before we assemble in the gym again at 19:00, for the concert commencing at 19:30

Please let Alison know before the day if you are unable to make either rehearsal at 14:45 or 18:00.

Volunteers/donations

We are looking for a few additional volunteers that could help with Front of House and interval refreshments – please ask friends and family & sign up at rehearsals.

Donations of home-made or shop bought seasonal bakes & cakes (mince pies, stollen, gingerbread etc) welcomed for sale at the concert – please bring on the day, but sign up so we know to expect them.

Please continue to bring small food items (with use-by dates of at least Jan 2018!) for the Christmas Hamper raffle – Lesley would appreciate all donations by 6th December if possible. She would still like some more small savoury items in particular.