A Capella group auditions, Huddersfield

Far Cry Acpalla have spaces for new male and female singers and are auditioning on Thursday 26th April 7.30 til 9.30 pm at The Lawrence Batley Theatre. The audition is simply to join in a sample session of a normal Far Cry rehearsal. Contact Jenny if you are interested.

About us

Far Cry is a mixed acapella group that has been meeting for just under 2 years. This is not a professional group but we aim for the highest standards possible. We meet under the guidance of Musical Director Jenny Goodman on Thursday evenings 7.30 to 9.30pm at The Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen St, Huddersfield HD1 2SP. Term dates for summer 2017/18 are: 26th April to 12th July (no sessions 31st May and 7th June). We aim to perform each term in some form - this term we have 4 potential gigs at Holmfirth and Hebden Arts Festivals plus our own end of year gig and another busking opportunity. There is no obligation to sing at EVERY gig and members are expected to be able to be flexible around parts. In the last year we have performed at the following: a fundraiser for refugee charities, a Tunes and Tales evening as part of Slaithwaite’s Moonraking Festival, in Almondbury Library, busking at Hebden Arts Festival, at Hope Bank Works, Honley, at a fundraiser for Water Aid and our own WinterSongs concert in Homfirth

Our material falls into 3 main categories - world music/roots - this can be Bulgarian, African, Georgian, British folk: political (although we are not a political choir the group shares a interest in social justice and equality and some of our songs reflect that): popular/original - we like a good pop arrangement and also sing songs and arrangements by contemporary acapella group composers including Jenny. We now have a core repertoire which we will add to - practice tracks are available and repertoire catch up sessions too. Newer members have found, however, that it is easier than you expect to catch up with material when most of the group knows the song. We also have a singing buddy system - this means existing group members give support and encouragement to new folk.

We operate within the learning and teaching philosophy of The Natural Voice Practitioners Network which Jenny is a founder member of - this means we learn our material orally and do not use sheet music - so there is no need to be able to read music and there is a strong emphasis on listening and tuning in. We are expected to learn words and parts by heart so we can perform without paper (tho there are sometimes little prompt cards hidden in people's hands!). There is also a strong emphasis on working on our voices - warming up properly with technical exercises to develop the voices, tuning exercises - we also sometime work on improvisation. In the year ahead we hope to perform more, perfect our performance skills, create some of our own songs and of course sing lots and have a great time.

The group has lots of energy and is friendly and welcoming and there is much laughter and fun alongside the hard work. Here’s some quotes from existing members:

“It’s like singing with your best mates. And the songs are all brilliant – plenty of variety, with songs from all over the world, which keeps it interesting. Plus an inspirational teacher – what more could you want?”

“I just love harmonies, and some of the harmonies that we do are really moving. It's great listening to the women sing, but when our bass voices are included, it adds that bit extra”

“I have gained confidence in my voice by being in a small supportive group. After the warm up at the beginning of the session I find that my voice is clearer and my vocal range is larger.”

The group costs £82 per term but concession places are available by negotiation with Jenny and you can pay the fees in half term blocks if that is easier (i.e. £41 per half term)

About you

We're looking for keen, enthusiastic singers - you don't have to be an expert. For men you need a low voice (in classical terms baritone) - but if you don't know what you are and would like to join then contact Jenny and have a chat. For women we currently are open to various vocal ranges as you move part from song but we are especially keen on women singers with low voices. We do move between parts from song to song so flexibility of vocal range is great but not essential. You audition by attending a group session.

We ask for people to try out for a term and then commit for a year to singing with the group and to attend as many of the weekly rehearsals as possible - there are occasional additional rehearsal prior to gigs - however not everyone is able to attend those.

Contact Jenny on singing.jennyg@googlemail.com or 07984 584923