WHEN Every other Thursday @ 6:30pm (check Instagram or Facebook for latest date, or subscribe to our Newsletter)
WHERE LGBT Health and Wellbeing, Duncan Place, Leith, Edinburgh
The room is on the second floor; there is a lift and an accessible toilet on the floor.
(you can request to join the group and members are not visible to those outside the group)
Edinburgh Trans Choir FAQs - Updated Feb 2024
When is it?
We will be meeting fortnightly on Thursdays, between 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Where it it?
LGBT Health & Wellbeing,
4 Duncan Place
There are accessible bathrooms and tea and coffee will be provided.
Who is it open to?
Anyone who uses trans to describe themselves, including non-binary, agender, genderfluid, etc. Intersex individuals are also welcome whether or not they claim trans as a label. The choir is open to anyone over the age of 16. We won't be questioning anyone's identity, if you think this space may be useful for you then please come along, even if you are not sure if you would describe yourself as trans just now.
Am I trans enough?
Yes!
How much does it cost?
Edinburgh Trans Choir is free to attend!What are the sessions like?
6.30-7.00: Warmups, games, introductions. Warm ups will be physical and vocal but you do not have to take part in anything that would strain your health.
7.00-7.30: Song of the day.
7.40-8.30: Song of the day
Songs are usually taught line by line and by ear. We have lyrics printed out in size 12 and 16 font, and opendyslexic. If you require other accommodations for lyrics, please let us know.
What kind of stuff do you sing?
We are planning on singing lots of different styles and genres. Each conductor will have their own songs to teach, but we want to encourage people to bring their own songs to teach, as well as having guests to come to teach a song. If you would like to teach a song please email us at edinburghtranschoir@gmail.com
We want this to be an open and accessible choir, so if there are any songs that you do or don't want to sing we can work this out between us all.
Do I need to audition/be able to sing?
No. Anyone who wants to come and sing with others can come along, there are no auditions, and no times when you will be expected to sing alone. Being trans means that your voice may have changed, or you want to sing with it differently and this is a space where you can explore and discover your voice again.
Do I need to read sheet music?
Some of the songs we will be singing will involve sheet music, but others will be from just printed words, and others will be taught by ear. There's no need to be able to read sheet music and we will explain the basics to the songs we do use sheet music for. We always provide copies of just the printed words if there is sheet music and you find it distracting.
Will you be singing in parts?
We will be singing in harmony and in different parts for some of the songs but not all. There will be some songs that will be taught using SATB music (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) but we generally won't call them by those names and there will be no gendered gatekeeping on who is singing which part, and there is no necessity that you sing the octave that is written.
Will I be expected to perform/Will the choir perform at X event?
No. Edinburgh Trans Choir is NON PERFORMING, and we have no plans to change this. We will not be performing at any events, though we may have open days or workshops in the future.Do I need to come to every session?
No. Come whenever you can and want to. To learn which song we will be doing before our session, follow us on social media or sign up to our newsletter.
Do I need to bring anything to the session?
No. Water, tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided for the break, but you may bring anything that will help you concentrate on the song or that will otherwise aid you.
Can I bring a personal assistant/carer who isn't trans?
Yes.
Can I donate money/time/materials?
Currently we are not taking monetary donations and we are not a registered charity - this is a fun project by trans people for trans people. However if you would like to donate sheet music for songs that you would like to do, or time to teach and work with us, that would be welcomed!
How can I stay up to date with what you're doing?
You can find us on Facebook or Instagram - just search Edinburgh trans choir or click the links in the sidebar. We also have a newsletter that comes out every other Thursday (on the weeks that the choir is not currently happening), that you can sign up for by emailing us.
How can I contact you?
Email us on edinburghtranschoir@gmail.com!