A questionnaire was prepared by Gareth Looker (Publicity Officer), after consultation with the rest of the Committee, and distributed to choir members at rehearsals in October-November 2005. Fifty-one replies were received. Thank you to everyone who took part in the survey.

Below is a summary of the findings, together with some notes (in italics) on the Committee’s various discussions initiated by – and decisions made on the

How long have you been a member?

Average 11 years

What do you enjoy most by being a member (e.g. concert performances / social activities / rehearsal meetings / other)?

Concerts: 91%
Social: 16%
Rehearsals: 92%

Are you a member of another singing group?

Yes: 35%
No: 65%

How would you rate the musical proficiency of the RTWCS? (marks out of 10: 1 lowest, 10 highest)

Average: 8

Do you think the choice of repertoire is right? Wrong? Not bothered?

Right: 76% (39/51)
Wrong: 6% (3/51)
Not bothered: 8% (4/51)
Don’t know: 10% (5/51)

The programme planning sub-committee seeks to incorporate choir members’ suggestions.

If we have a summer concert in 2006 is it likely you will take part? If so, are you a soprano / alto / tenor / bass?

Total: 38 (soprano 13, alto 13, tenor 3, bass 9)

The Committee decided to go ahead with a summer concert. This is being managed by a sub-committee. More than 50 singers (members and guests) have now signed up to take part.

Membership subscription?

Too high: 6% (3/51)
About right: 88% (45/51)
Too low: 4% (2/51)

Concert ticket prices?

Too high: 14% (7/50)
About right: 84% (42/50)
Too low: 2% (1/50)

In June, the Committee will meet to review both membership subscription and ticket prices. Any proposed changes will be put forward at the AGM in September, and a vote will be taken. Members are reminded that anyone who has difficulty in paying the subscription may talk in confidence to the Treasurer.

How would you describe the RTWCS (e.g. fun / serious; amateurish / professional; friendly / unfriendly etc)?

"fun / serious / friendly / professional"

What single change do you think could be made to make RTWCS "better"?

• Watch conductor more closely
• Longer break in rehearsals
  A definite break at rehearsals of at least 10 minutes has been endorsed by the Committee. This is now taking effect. Efforts are being made to keep spoken notices to a minimum, for example through newsletters and the website.
• Photograph of committee to be placed on the choir noticeboard
  This has been endorsed and will be done after the AGM in September.
• Shorter season with concentrated rehearsals
  A concentrated, six-week rehearsal period has been put in place for the summer concert on 24th June (2006).
• Have section practices
• Use other venues
  With our size of choir and orchestra, there really is no choice of main concert venue in Tunbridge Wells itself. Recently the Committee has been considering and exploring a variety of possible venues for future concerts. Members will be kept informed of confirmed venue bookings.
• Wider range of music
  The programme planning sub-committee endeavours to make sure programmes are varied and balanced.
• Name badges
  It was felt that this would not be practical.
• Refreshments during break
  St John’s Church Centre has a hot drinks vending machine that we can use.
• Welcome Pack for new members
  A pack is to be prepared in the summer, to be given out from September.
• Voice reps should be more evident
  The four section reps are becoming more known and active as they get to know people in their sections.
• Involve schools
  Good idea but difficult with the workload placed on teachers; perhaps target music teachers and appoint a representative to liaise with schools.
• Keep tickets longer to sell
  Unfortunately, we cannot keep tickets any longer than we do at present because of the Assembly Hall’s computerised booking system.
• Less chat and better promptness
• One-day workshops
  Workshops were felt by the Committee to be a good idea, but they would cost money.
• More information from committee
• More younger members

Do you have any suggestions as to how new members could be recruited?

Ads in local paper: 8
Contact local church choirs and other choral societies: 7
Contact schools: 13
Incentives to introducers: 2
Taster sessions: 1

If you are a new member, where did you hear about the RTWCS?

Internet: 4
Seen an ad or poster for concert: 3
Word of mouth: 6
From music teacher: 1

If you can remember your first rehearsal how would you describe it?

20/39 along the lines of fun or friendly
19/39 along the lines of daunting or nerve-wracking

The Committee has endorsed the view that a "tread gently" approach to the works should be made, especially at the beginning of the season for the benefit of

If you have joined within the last two years did you previously attend any of our concerts?

Yes: 3

Do you regularly attend concerts?

Locally: 28
London: 22
Elsewhere: 10

What sort of concerts do you attend?

Choral: 32
Orchestral: 28
Popular: 9
Other: 16

Can you think of ways of boosting ticket sales?

Include local children in performance: 11
Reduce price / introduce concessions for bulk booking: 8
Advertise: 11
More popular works: 2
Force members to buy a minimum number of tickets: 3
More PR: 2
Promote to other societies
Email digital version of flyers

John Rutter’s Mass of the Children, which includes children as performers, is being considered for Spring 2008. The programme planning sub-committee seeks to maintain overall variety and balance, including the more popular works as well as those which are less widely known and less often performed.

Each member is expected to try to sell at least four tickets for each concert. This is a big factor in ensuring good ticket sales. It is appreciated that it will not always be possible for everyone to sell four tickets.

The digital version of the flyer for the Spring Concert (Magic of Mozart) was emailed to members to be forwarded to friends and family. This will probably be done again in the future.

Are you happy with our main concert venue (give reasons if you wish)?

Yes: 41% (19/47)
No: 44% (21/47)
Don’t know: 15% (7/47)

With our size of choir and orchestra, there really is no choice of main concert venue in Tunbridge Wells itself. Recently the Committee has been considering and exploring a variety of possible venues for future concerts. Members will be kept informed of confirmed venue bookings.

Should we establish closer links with overseas choirs?

Yes: 53% (21/40)
No: 35% (14/40)
Don’t know: 13% (5/40)

In 2007, we will be strengthening our existing partnership with the Bach-Chor Wiesbaden, with performances of Elgar’s The Kingdom in England and in Germany (details tbc).

[Should] social activities such as daytrips/weekend excursions be organised?

Yes: 52% (22/42)
No: 38% (15/42)
Don’t know: 12% (5/42)

A social sub-committee has been set up to arrange activities/excursions. It has been agreed that any such events should be self-financing (in other words, not subsidised by RTWCS).

[Should a] small choir be organised to give paid-for performances?

Yes: 36% (16/44)
No: 32% (14/44)
Don’t know: 32% (14/44)

A small choir with a limited repertoire could be formed.

If you would like to offer your skills and time to help with the organization of the RTWCS please complete your details here:

Two offers of help were received.