01/24/11

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the Ionian Clarinet Choir (ICC)?

The Choir consists of 10 – 15 enthusiastic players, playing a variety of clarinets which cover most of the clarinet family. They range from the Eb and Bb to the Alto, Bass and Contra-Alto. Occasionally the Contra-Bass is brought out! The Choir has been making music since its formation in 1970 by Roy Upton-Holder, a professional clarinettist. After his retirement in 1992, the ICC was under the baton of Roger Greenwood, a longstanding Choir member. When Roger stepped down in early 2007, he was succeeded by Lionel Elton who kept the Choir going until December 2007. We now have ‘job’share’ conductors – Roger (once again) and Chris Hooker (an ex-Choir member).

What standard of players are accepted?

Based on the music we play, we accept Grade 6 (or equivalent) as the minimal benchmark. However this is not sacrosanct – for example young aspiring players or others who are having tuition and are in the process of developing their potential, would be welcome to sit in for a trial run! Ultimately however, the decision to play in concerts rests with our Conductors.

What type of music do you play?

Over the years we have built up a library of nearly 300 pieces covering a wide range of music – everything from Scott Joplin to Widor, via Glen Miller, Basie, Sullivan, Rossini, Haydn, Tchaikovsky, Elgar and much Mozart! Many of our pieces were arranged by our founder, Roy Upton-Holder whilst others are original pieces written for a clarinet choir.  In recent years, certain ex-choir members have generously arranged new works for us, so enabling the Choir’s repertoire to continue expanding and provide new challenges.

Where do you meet, and how often are rehearsals and Concerts?

Since our inception, our base has been Christ Church Hall, next to Christ Church, Oakley Park North, just off the High Rd, Whetstone, London Borough of Barnet. We rehearse fortnightly, on the 2^nd and 4^th Friday of the month (during normal term times)  from 8.00pm to 10.00pm. We aim to hold at least 3 concerts per year, usually in the local area and often in churches but sometimes in care homes for elderly people.

Can you reach rehearsals by public transport?

Most of us travel to rehearsals by car, some travelling more than 10 miles each way. We car share where possible. Christ Church Hall can easily be reached by underground (10 minute walk from Totteridge Station – Northern Line, High Barnet Branch), rail (Oakleigh Park overground) and bus (no’s 34,125,251,263 and 26 stop near the Hall).

How is the ICC financed? What about membership fee?

We are affiliated to Barnet Arts Council but receive no grants from any outside source i.e. we are totally self-financing. Our membership subscription is currently £20.00 per term. This income, together with our normal appearance fee of £70.00 (min) per concert, covers our expenditure. Our main cost is the hire of our rehearsal hall, with ongoing costs concerning music, stands and insurance. All our members give their services and time to the ICC, without payment. We have a Treasurer who produces annual accounts  which are distributed to members.

How can I find out more………..

If you are interested in what you have read so far, we would encourage you to make contact with us with a view to coming along one Friday evening and sitting in, preferably with your clarinet! And we’ll take it from there.

Contact details:

Craig Maxwell: Email: craig.maxwell3 at virginmedia.com   (substituting at for @)

Co-ordinator: Lorraine Tyler:   Email:  redpepper at edulife.org (substituting at for @)