Become a Member

How do I join COS?

You can join COS by contacting our membership secretary, Colin Thorne or filling out our on-line membership application form.

Should you wish to become an active member, there will be a informal audition held in front of the Executive Committee where you will be encouraged to bring along a song you are comfortable singing and that shows off your vocal ability.

What does it cost?

Membership costs £30 per year if you are over 23 plus a show fee in the region of £25. If you are aged 16 – 23 or over 60 then membership is at the reduced rate of £18 plus the show fee.

The show fee can vary from one production to another; we ask cast members to pay a show fee to help towards the costs of hiring rehearsal spaces, buying material for some of the costumes we can’t hire, and various other costs involved with the production. Please speak to a member of the committee if you would like more information about show fees.

When do you rehearse?

Colchester Operatic Society (COS) mainly rehearse on Monday and Thursday nights, as well as the occasional Sunday as required. CO2 mainly rehearse on a Tuesday.

Where do you rehearse?

COS generally rehearse at Montgomery School (Baronswood Way, Colchester, Essex. CO2 9QG) and the Arena Leisure Centre, both located in Colchester.  CO2 currently rehearse at Kingsland Church, London Road. Please click on the links to find a map/directions to the rehearsal venues.

How often do you perform?

COS normally perform one major show per year at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, for a 2 week run, usually starting in the last week of January. We begin rehearsals for this show in August/September each year and audition in late September.  We also perform an annual concert in the spring/summer – rehearsals for the concert begin in mid February with auditions in the March.  The concert itself is usually performed late May to late June, depending on the availability of venues.

Our junior membership, CO2, usuallly perform one major show over a week in October, also at the Mercury Theatre.  In 2011 CO2 will combine with COS and perform Jesus Christ Superstar at the Mercury Theatre.  See the Home Page for more details of current events.

Throughout the year we are often requested to perform at various functions – carol singing, musical nights, and fundraising events.

What are the show auditions like?

Auditioning is quite simple although a little scary the first time you do it!
The Society has a few music rehearsals prior to auditions and this is a great opportunity to familiarise yourself with the songs you may be required to sing at the audition.
The director and the musical director will get together and set the audition pieces for you to perform at the audition. These pieces are usually extracted from the production and are better learnt if possible, giving you the best chance of impressing the audition panel.

You can audition for more than one role, as well as audition for chorus, usually in groups of four. When you audition it will be in front of a panel of at least 5 people, including the musical director and the director.  CO2 auditions are always like this (i.e. “closed” auditions), however for the main society, other paid-up members of the COS are permitted to watch your ”open” audition, unless they are going for the same role.  More details on the audition process is available on request.

Where possible, we will try to include the audition pieces for each show on our downloads page, although this is often restricted by rights holders - please check the downloads page for more information.

What if I want to suggest something, or even complain?

The COS executive committee welcome any feedback, suggestions and even complaints from the Society members – you are more than welcome to let us know your thoughts and ideas about how we can improve the way that the Society runs. All we ask is that if you would like a direct response then you will need to include your name – the committee can discuss any suggestion or complaint but we will not be able to give you a response if we don’t know who you are! If you would prefer to suggest something or complain annonymously then we have cast liaisons in place for both COS and CO2 who will be able to relay your message to the other committee members, and let you know the outcome.

What do you expect from the cast?

Although the Society is run to entertain both the public and its members, we do expect a certain level of committment and dedication from our cast and crew, and not just on stage.

Directors expect the cast to attend all schedule rehearsals, or let them know well in advance if you can’t make it (you will be given contact details in this instance). If you can’t make a rehearsal it is expected that you provide a stand in who can takes notes for you and allow the rest of the cast to practice as if you were there. Obviously we don’t expect you to make it to rehearsals if you are ill, although we ask that you notify someone.

If you committ to a show please bear in mind that we are now operating a ‘three strikes’ rule. Any cast member who has three ‘unexplained absences’ – ie does not tell anyone they will be missing a rehearsal and does not provide a stand in – will be asked to leave the production, no matter the size of their role.

Do you have Facebook groups?

Yes, we do have closed Facebook groups for our membership.   The groups are a good way to keep in contact and chat with other members, and an easy way to reach members of previous shows who, for example, may want to come along to a social event but haven’t heard about it yet.

If you are a Facebook user, you’ll know that anyone can set up Facebook groups or events, and that social networking sites exist to allow people the freedom to express themselves. Anyone is welcome to join the Facebook groups and leave messages, opinions, feedback, criticism, or just chat, but we would ask you to appreciate that although these groups may offer information about the society that is accurate, they are not managed by the Executive Committee, and as such shouldn’t be considered to express the views of the Executive Committee as a whole. Having said that, we do appreciate that members of the committee feel that they can express their opinions, and so we welcome your contributions and thoughts, in any format.