Dare to be Different 2020 Concert Cast

It’s nearly time for our concert auditions!

Do you love singing in a chorus and want the opportunity to learn and perform a range of different songs?  Then our concert could be for you.

This year, our concert will take place in February 2020 in place of our usual show.  Our concert is called “Dare to be Different” and is directed by Katie Cutmore with Musical direction by Richard Harrison.  Richard is a new MD for us but not new to the Society, as you may have seen him tinkling the ivories in the orchestra for several of our COS/CO2 shows over the last few years, including most recently Oliver.  Katie has directed the “Seasons with Swing” concert in 2017 and is of course the new Chair of the Society.  Come along and meet them and find out more at our pre-audition rehearsal next Monday 21st October 7.30pm at Langenhoe Primary School, CO5 7PG.

Still not sure?  Let us describe the concert theme for you:

This concert depicts how our society aspires for everyone to be “normal” and “perfect”, but that as individuals we are different, want to break the mould, be accepted for our individuality and difference and even stand out from the crowd!  Katie plans to tell a story with her song choices, going between songs about conforming and songs that depict the desire to be and/or importance of being different before ending the show with a celebration of everyone’s individuality.

Now you are interested? 

Fantastic!  You need to audition.

To audition you must be a paid up member (please contact Paul, our membership secretary, on cos1theatre@hotmail.com for more information on this or to arrange paying your membership) and you must complete an audition form.  Audition forms are available from our Secretary, Amanda.  You can contact her by email at secretary@colchesteroperaticsociety.co.uk or you can pick a form up at the pre-audition rehearsal.

A concert audition is different to a show audition – you need to choose your own song to audition with.  Choose something that shows off what your voice is capable of and how well you can perform.  It can be anything you like but please provide music for Richard to accompany you with or bring a backing track.  The downloadable set list might also give you a good idea of what you might like to sing for your audition.  However, you don’t have to sing a song from the set list, even if you have your eye on one for a solo!  The audition panel (consisting of Katie, Richard and Neil Somerville, the Society’s music liaison and treasurer) will allocate songs based on auditions.  This concert has many chorus/group numbers that will have solo parts within them too, so there is plenty of opportunity for everyone to have their moment to shine.

Auditions will be on Thursday 24th October 7.30pm also at Langenhoe Primary School, CO5 7PG.

So what exactly is the commitment I hear you ask?

We rehearse Mondays (at Langenhoe Primary School, CO5 7PG) and Thursdays (at Stanway Secondary School, CO3 0QA ) (except in school holidays) with occasional Sundays (at Langenhoe Primary School, CO5 7PG).  You will get given a rehearsal schedule at the pre-audition rehearsal or you can request one by email from cos1theatre@hotmail.com.   Whilst we understand there will be some rehearsals people might not be able to make we would expect cast to attend a majority, if not all of them.  You MUST be able to attend all performances and tech/dress rehearsals in the venues:

The Concert will be performed at The Headgate Theatre, Colchester.

‘Get In’ – Sunday 9^th February 2020 from 1pm

Dress & Technical Rehearsals – Monday 10^th, Tuesday 11^th February 2020 6.30pm

Performance Dates & Times – Wednesday 12th, Thursday 13th, Friday 14th, Saturday 15th February 2020 at 7.45pm

Matinee – Saturday 15th February 2020 at 2.30pm

A second fundraising performance in aid of Lepra (who share their 95^th Anniversary with the Society this year, 2019) will be performed at Lion Walk Church, Colchester.

Tech/Dress Rehearsal: Saturday 22^nd February 2020 from 2pm

Performance: Saturday 22^nd February 2020 at 7.30pm

If you have any queries about the rehearsal dates and/or performance dates please speak to Katie at the pre-audition rehearsal or you can email her at chair@colchesteroperaticsociety.co.uk.

We hope to see lots of you at rehearsal on Monday.

Colchester Operatic Society Executive Committee

Director : Katie Cutmore

Musical Director: Richard Harrison