These pages contain up-to-date information for members of Collegium Musicum of London.
Choir Noticeboard
We will use this space to post any limited lifespan messages for choir members; please make sure you read it on a regular basis.
Download 2010 -2011 concert and rehearsal timetable (pdf)
2011 -2012 concert and reherasal timetable (pdf)
Concert and rehearsal venues
The Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer (abbreviated to H.R. above) is situated at Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QE. Exmouth Market is on the junction of Farringdon Road and Rosebery Avenue. A map of how to get there can be found by clicking here.
Buses :19, 38, 63, 341
Tube: Farringdon (Hammersmith & City/Circle); Angel (Northern)
Overground :Farringdon, First Capital Connect
St James’s, Piccadilly is at 197, Piccadilly, London W1J 9LL, on the south side of Piccadilly about 250 metres from Piccadilly Circus. A map of how to get there can be found by clicking here.
Buses 3,6, 9, 12, 13, 15, 23, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453
Tube: Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly/Bakerloo)
Rehearsal Details
Weekday rehearsals are nearly always at The Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer and are usually on Wednesdays from 19:00 to 22:00; rehearsals on the day of the concert are normally at the concert venue and are usually from 14:00 to 17:00 (these rehearsals may last longer, but there will always be a sufficient break between the rehearsal and the concert). Each rehearsal always begins with a warm-up. Please arrive at the venue in good time to begin the rehearsal. Remember also that sometimes there are services taking place in the churches before our rehearsals begin, and you need to respect the need for quiet for those who are attending the services.
Scores
CML always supplies music for concerts, the cost of which is now factored in to subscription rates. However, knowing that some choir members occasionally like to buy their own, details of which editions we will be using for the coming concert can be obtained from the choir librarian, Judith Meier, who can be contacted by e-mail by clicking here. It is also worth remembering that the choir can often buy music at discount rates, and you should ask about this before buying retail. A list of scores kept by the choir is available on the library page.
Pronunciation
CML always attempts to use the pronunciation of Latin and other languages appropriate to country and period; we'll always provide a guide to any non-standard pronunciation for whatever piece(s) CML is doing in its current concert.
All of the choir's pronunciation guides can be found here.
Concert Dress
The choir dress for concerts is:
Black long-sleeved shirt with (dark) button front and pointed collar and breast pocket + black trousers + black shoes
Black long-sleeved shirt with (dark) button front and pointed collar + black long skirt + black shoes
no jewellery or decorations
Subscriptions
Some of our concerts are quite expensive to stage, if professional soloists or instrumentalists are engaged. In common with nearly all other choirs, our members pay subscriptions to assist towards expenses.
Subscriptions comprise two elements:
Basic membership: A membership fee for the calendar year, payable by all singers other than those still completing their probationary concert - 50.00 (35.00 concessions).
For those whose first concert as a full member (after completing their probationary concert) falls in July or later, a reduced rate of annual membership, at 30.00 (20.00 concessions), is payable for the remainder of that year; the full rate will then be payable from the following January. This rate also applies to members rejoining the choir after July 1, following an absence.
Note that membership does not guarantee selection for all concerts. It does however confer a right to vote at General Meetings, and to stand for election to the Committee.
Concert participation: All singers, including those on probation, must also pay 30.00 (20.00 concessions) per programme they take part in. A 'programme' may either be a single concert or a concert which has two performances.
Concessionary rates of 35.00 (membership) and 20.00 (concert fee) are available for full-time students and those who are unemployed. Please note that the concessionary rate is not applicable to pensioners, or those not working because they have retired.
A special rate of 10.00 per concert is available to all those under 25. No yearly subscription, just 10.00 fee per concert.
Gift Aiding your subscriptions
The government will add an extra £2.82 to every £10 paid in membership fees, subscriptions and any additional donations if the member pays tax in the UK and signs a simple Gift Aid Tax Declaration (available from the Subscriptions Secretary or available as a downloadable pdf by clicking here). The same applies to any outside donors.
For those who pay tax at the higher rate there is a further bonus in the form of a reduction in your own tax bill as well.
Ongoing commitment to pay is not a condition for this, and every member in a position to complete the Gift Aid form should do so.
Any queries about subscriptions should be addressed to the Subscriptions Secretary.
Constitution
Download a copy of the choir's constitution here.
Committee Details
There are currently seven members of the CML Committee.
The Musical Director and conductor, Russell du Plessis, usually takes part in committee discussions.
CML Committee 2011
Chairman & Webmeister: John Biggins
Secretary: Florence Challands
Publicity: Liz Aram
Treasurer: Sebastian Borger
Librarian: Judith Meier
Subscriptions Secretary: Chiara Alfano
Fixer: Caroline Crampton
Committee meetings are held about four or five times per year and choir members are always invited to submit any business for discussion to the Secretary in advance of each meeting.