Welcome to the Morrinsville Country Music Club. To help you enjoy your time with us, we’ve prepared this guide for you, so please take time to read it.

We hold two ‘practice’ workshops, and a ‘Club’ night, every month. The practice nights are to give performers the opportunity to practice the song they have selected to sing with the band, so that the performance at Club night is the best it can be.

If you can’t rehearse at either of the workshops, we would prefer it if you didn’t sing.

First Workshop:

  • Always held on the last Friday night of each month, in the Senior Citizen’s Lounge.
  • Starts at 7pm. Band members, and those wishing to play with the band, should be there at least 15 minutes prior to this time to set up and prepare for the 7pm start.
  • The rehearsals usually begin with Juniors, then Intermediates, then Seniors. Please be patient, and take the opportunity to enjoy the songs others are doing.
  • If you must leave early, please advise the Programme Organiser (who runs the evening) when you arrive, and they will endeavour to put you on early.
  • Please write your name, and the song you wish to rehearse, on the list when you arrive.
  • You should have selected the song you wish to sing for this rehearsal, and have the song written out – preferably already chorded, but this can be done for you if necessary.
  • The band will work with you to establish the most appropriate key for you to sing in.
  • The Club has an extensive collection of songs, with chord charts, kept in folders and on the laptop at the back of the Lounge, for members to select from. Please feel free to peruse these.
  • If you wish, you can bring a recorded copy of the way you wish to perform the song, and play it to the band, to establish the correct ‘feel’. Don’t expect the band to sound like the professional session musicians on the recording, but be pleased when they do.
  • Please make sure you have sufficient copies for the band and backing singers – 5 copies. A photocopy service is available, for 20 cents a page, payable on the spot.
  • You may be able to run through the song twice, if necessary.
  • Singers can perform more than once on a Club night, as soloists and as part of a duo or group, and each song can be practiced.
  • If you are a musician and wish to play along with the band, this is the only real opportunity to do it – please be aware that the band are learning the songs too, and play with appropriate volume.
  • There will possibly be a ‘band break’ at ~9.00pm, when they can rest their fingers and brains, have a stretch etc – please don’t take up their break by getting them to run through your song privately.
  • Tea and coffee are available for all in the kitchen – 50c a cup, payable on the spot.
  • It can be a long night, with lots of hanging around. Please try to keep audience noise (conversations etc.) at low level, otherwise the noise level gets too much for everyone.
  • At the end of the evening, there is a lot of packing up to do. Please take this opportunity to help those who set up the sound gear etc.
The better the rehearsals, the better the performance.

Band Equipment
We have guitar amplifiers, a bass guitar and amplifier, and a set of drums available for band members’ use at rehearsals and Club nights.
If you wish to provide your own equipment, that’s fine.

All band members are expected to provide their own instruments and accessories.

Second Workshop
  • Held on the first Friday of each month.
    Similar format to the first workshop, except that the band rostered to play at the Club Night is expected to be in attendance, to rehearse all songs.
  • No other additional musicians are expected to play.
    Singers must have 6 chord charts available (solo) or 4 charts (duo, without vocal backing). A photocopy service is available, for 20 cents a page, payable on the spot.
  • These chord charts are to be left with the Programme Organiser, who will arrange for them to be placed in the band folders for the Club Night.
  • Songs are required to be loose-leaf – not in folders.
  • You are expected to run through your song only once. Sometimes the bandleader requests a second run through, to formalise a difficult section or arrangement.
  • You are expected to know your song by this time.
  • Please advise the Programme Organiser if you prefer to be programmed in a particular segment of the Club Night (a good reason is required).

Club Night
  • Held on the second Friday of each month.
  • Club Night starts at 7.30pm sharp.
  • Please arrive by 7.15pm, and advise the Programme Organiser of your presence.
  • Find out when you are programmed to appear, and note when you should go backstage.
  • If you know you are going to be late, advise the Programme Organiser well beforehand – re-arranging the programme takes time and means all the bands folders have to be altered.
  • Please go backstage, between songs, two songs before you are programmed. This ensures the MC is aware that you are present and ready. If you do not make it backstage in time, you may be removed from the programme.
  • Clean and tidy appearance is expected, from all performers.
  • Check with the MC as to which microphone you will use, where you pick it up, where you put it down. Ensure you understand the correct microphone techniques required, and hold the mic. accordingly. Don’t point it at the speakers, or a sudden foldback squeal can result.
  • If you require a microphone on a stand, tell the MC, who will organise it for you.
  • Don’t stop and lecture the band on how you want your song done (that’s what the rehearsal was for). However, a quick indication of ‘time’ and ‘feel’ can be helpful.
  • Ensure you speak clearly when you introduce yourself and your song. The audience like to know who you are and what you’re singing. However, keep your introductions short – there are usually a lot of performers, and we like the concert to finish by 10.45 pm at the latest.
  • At the end of the evening, your charts contained in the band folders will be available for collection at the next month's workshop(s).
  • Say’ thanks’ to the band if you think they helped your performance. If they didn’t, talk nicely to the bandleader to find out what didn’t work so well. Everyone is trying hard to make your song the best they can, so these things can usually be sorted out without much difficulty.

Club Members

We’d love you to be involved in your Club.

You may want to sing, play an instrument, take a turn as MC (compere), Programme Organiser, help in the kitchen, set up sound equipment, operate sound equipment, help set up and pack, clean up, etc. etc. etc. Offer to help those you see are already involved, or make yourself known to the Committee members.

Become part of the friendly team that is the Morrinsville Country Music Club (Inc). If you are unhappy about anything we do, be sure to tell us before you tell anyone else.