To join the church choir …

If you're new they will probably allocate someone to take you through everything - this is where we robe up, this is the loo, we line up here etc.

As for stuff in the service, it should all be written down in a service booklet. I would look either side of you, pick the friendliest looking person, and say you're not v familiar with these kind of services, can you help me with what I'm supposed to do, when I'm supposed to kneel etc? I am sure they will be v friendly and help you out

Haha no, Berkshire, although it would have been an amazing coincidence if it had ended up being your choir!

@mitogoshi that's so helpful, thank you! Very reassuring.

Oh and the church I managed had in the church choir choristers from 4 religions and mostly none - a Jew, a Muslim and a Hindu, a couple of Catholics, Anglican obviously but most of these were agnostic at best

@creusa23

Just follow what others are doing and remember nobody minds if you make a mistake. As far as communion, if you don't want to take it either step to one side as the choir goes up or go with them but bow your head rather than put your hands out, nobody minds either way.

i sang in a church choir for years

Yanbu

Thank you @Adarajames and everyone else for the encouragement! So glad you're enjoying it (and funnily enough it was my local choir's Easter performance of Faure's requiem that convinced me to join!) - it sounds lovely. I'm sure by Sunday I'll be laughing at myself for having been nervous - and I'm starting to look forward to it now so thank you!

Why not?

I sing in a choir that performs a lot of sacred music and I am not Christian and nor (I would guess) are most of the other members.

Music is music and I'm sure most people would rather hear it decently sung, than enquire into the religious beliefs, if any, of the singers.

And I suspect twas ever thus.

I’m a Christian and have no doubt that Jesus would welcome you with open arms.
Have a great time.

I sang in a church choir for years and am agnostic. It wasn't a problem. They were glad to have someone who could sing and read the music.

My FIL was a church organist and believed not one thing about the religion. Many professional cathedral organists just go through the religious motions - they are there for the fee and the musical opportunities.

Most community choirs charge a small fee because they have to hire venues, buy music etc., and recompense the conductor/director. Ditto choral societies, who have conductor/accompanist to pay, practice and concert venues, soloists etc. - ticket sales nowhere near cover the outlay.

I run a small community choir - and have done for a very long time - and we used to meet in my home, so I charged nothing. Now that I have had to move somewhere smaller, we use the village hall and for the first time I am having to make a charge.

However, most choirs and choral societies do have a scheme whereby anyone who is struggling financially can have a quiet word and there is a discount to be negotiated.

Aren't there any of those "Choirs for All" type of thing in your area? My sister goes to 2 around here and they don't charge a membership fee. She was quite appalled that the more serious choir I went to charged an annual fee AND a weekly collection for purposes that were a bit vague.

I was in a church choir at uni and I’m not religious, neither were at least half of the other members.

I think it's fine as long as you respect the beliefs of other church members.

Thank you so much, that's really reassuring! I'm sure it'll be ok when I get there - I'm a bit of an over-thinker!

@creusa23
Don't worry about the right procedures to follow. Different churches do thing differently anyway so you won't be expected to know all the answers.
Follow what the person sitting next to you is doing and you'll be fine. Enjoy your singing 👍

@Adarajames I know this is an old thread but I'd love to know how this worked out as I'm in the exact same situation, having just signed up for a church choir. What makes me most nervous is not knowing when to stand, sit, go for a blessing (if appropriate) etc as I've never been to a church service before, so it would be reassuring to hear from those who've managed to muddle through without embarrassing themselves or offending anyone! I'm really looking forward to the singing, it's just the bits in between I have no clue about.

I hope you do join the choir, or at least get a chance to sing in another way. I went to a William Byrd workshop a few weeks ago. I got to sing in Durham Cathedral ffs!!! Amazing! And as a complete atheist, I just stood quietly while the rest of them took part in prayers (and some big weird speech thing) during the service at the end of the day. Everyone should be allowed to sing if they love it. Go for it OP!

Well hopefully the choir will be more relaxing!

Ah, that’s how it starts - next thing you know you are on the committee to appoint the next vicar! (Happened to someone I knew!)

To confirm - yes I'm on the reader list, i.e. on the rota to read the lessons. I have also been asked to do go on the intercession list and I've said no.
WRT to the PCC, I'm an experienced manager and planner in my day job. If I can bring some order and decision making process to the PCC then I'm pretty sure that benefits the church.

@BumBurnerBum I did a bit of a double take on the 'reader' bit but then decided she meant reading a lesson rather than a Reader. If it's the former, why would anyone mind? If she can read well and with some understanding,that would be an improvement on the majority who, whilst probably sincere, are often not very good at it. Just a little bugbear of mine