Cardiff Style

The Chorus meets on Monday nights between 7.45pm and 10.00pm at Sbectrwm, Bwlch Road, Fairwater, Cardiff (Bank Holidays excluded). 

Visitors and prospective new members are very welcome and can just turn up any Monday or contact us beforehand if you wish.

Of course it is advantageous if you are able to read music. We provide teach CDs or audio cassettes for you to learn the songs at home. Some people are unable to read music but have a good ear instead but we do need you to be able to sing in tune and hold your part.

As previously mentioned, Barbershop is 4 part harmony, unaccompanied.  The voice parts are Lead, Tenor,  Baritone and Bass.  The Lead part usually sings the melody line of the song with the 3 harmony parts, the Tenor above and the Bass and Baritone below. If you have previously been a Soprano, you would normally sing Lead or Tenor, and if Alto you would sing Baritone or Bass. 

It is a requirement of Barbershop that the parts are balanced to make the best sound.  The build up of the chorus can be described like a sponge cake - the Lead and the Bass are the two layers, the Baritone is the filling and the Tenor is the icing on the top and the numbers in each part should be appropriate to this description.

Prospective members in all voice parts would be very welcome.

Come along any Monday to visit  and you will be placed with the part your voice is most suited to. You can come along for 3 weeks, free of charge, before deciding if you would like to become part of Cardiff Style.  There is then a probationary period the length of which is totally dependent upon yourself, depending on how quickly you learn. During this time you will pay a reduced subscription.

Before you are accepted as a full member you will need to take a second voice test singing in a small group. This will be a song which you have sung regularly at rehearsals and this test is to check what you have learnt and if you can hold your part.  There is no pressure to take this test at any particular time, it is entirely up to you, depending upon when you feel ready. Once this test has been taken and passed, the Chorus Committee will confirm your acceptance as a full member and you will be liable for the full weekly subscription.  This money goes towards rental of the rehearsal venue, running costs, LABBS subscription, costumes, travel expenses etc.