Summer Sings In Queens

A Summer Sing is an open, scratch performance of a major choral work. There is no prior rehearsal, anyone can join, and the performing group is made up of whoever shows up to sing that day. The atmosphere is informal: conductors prioritize fun and are generous to their choristers. Singers usually create a rousing performance even when resources are limited or unbalanced. 

Yes! Everyone is welcome, so come along and take part as well as you are able. Mistakes don’t matter - we are all only there to have fun and nobody will feel exposed. While not necessary, it does help to be able to follow a part from sheet music, the lines and rhythm if not the notes. Scores for all the pieces are available on these web pages, so if you would like to practice, find a Youtube recording and try to sing along. 

Singing can be a risky activity, and we will be cautious and follow all guidelines. Depending on the situation at the time, we will define protocols (vaccinations / spacing / masks / breaks) and publish them here in the week before each sing. Where possible we will allow for individual preferences, for example reserving a section for those wishing to wear a mask. 

There are no advanced purchase tickets, so pay on the night at the door, in cash or with a check to Forest Hills Choir. The fee is $15, with no extra charge for borrowing a score. You are welcome to come to listen, so long as you pay your fee and don’t expect a top class performance. If you have a score then please do bring it. You can also download a score onto a tablet and sing from that. But many people will borrow one of the scores that we will provide. 

Most people sit with their voice section, because that makes it easier to sing, and for the conductor to guide us. But you are welcome to sit wherever you like, so if a group of four of you have always wanted to sing the chorus parts as a quartet, then be our guests!

The conductor might ask us to stand for certain sections, and you are always free to stand, though try not to block the view of others. If standing is difficult for you, then that is fine as well, sit near the front. Our goal is to give as many people as possible as much pleasure as possible from singing, so we want to minimize the obstacles to that.