AboutUs

EMS is regarded as one of the area's leading musical societies. Whilst our history spans over 100 years, we remain a dynamic group, performing two shows / concerts a year with material ranging from the traditional to the modern. Since the Duchess Theatre burnt down we have had no permanent venue to stage our productions. Our spring show is now regularly held at Trent College, Long Eaton and our autumn production is held at another venue in the locality. We of course look forward to the completion of the Chatsworth Centre which will again provide a focus for the Arts within the Long Eaton area. Membership of the society is not just restricted to those who wish to step into the lime-light, there is a great deal of fun to be had working behind the scenes as well! One of the founding principles of the society was that of mutuality, and we are proud to have retained our links with the Eastern and Central Region Co-operative Society who are our sponsors.

We also have an active Social Committee which ensures there are plenty of things for members to do throughout the year: to name but a few events, BBQs, car rallies and trips to the seaside all feature in our calendar together with the Annual Dinner Dance. Why not take a look at photo gallery on the "Members" page? There you can see a little more about the individuals who make up our society and the rich social life we share. If you are interested in joining us we'd be glad to hear from you - further details can be found here.

HistoryoftheSociety

In the winter of 1895, the Long Eaton Co-operative Society Limited formed its first choir under the leadership of Mr C Marshall. Unashamedly propagandist, the choir would perform to the people of Long Eaton and surrounding villages and during the interval, a leading dignitary would extol the virtues of the co-operative movement! In 1902, the choir was temporarily disbanded but reformed five years later. A notice appeared in the Society's "Record" (a free news sheet) of July 1907 advising readers that the first rehearsal was to be held in the Guild Room, Station Road. Vocalists were "heartily invited to attend", a sentiment which remains pertinent nearly a century later. In 1908, under the baton of Mr W Woolley, the choir attended the 21st National Co-operative Festival annual gathering at Crystal Palace. The choir came a very creditable third, only five points off the winners, Coventry. The Musical Times reported: "Long Eaton is a well-drilled choir there was much finish and good technique." The Musical Herald was equally complimentary: "our choice for second place was Long Eaton... well balanced parts and fresh voices". The following year saw another memorable appearance at Crystal Palace, albeit not necessarily for the right reasons. Both the senior and junior choirs turned up late due to problems with their trains. The senior choir's allotted performance time arrived but regrettably most of the singers did not! The imbalance of the voices was recognised by the judges as was "inconvenient train services." The choir was permitted to await the arrival of the missing voices. The Herald wittily observed: "Long Eaton caused a long wait, possibly they were too long eating - it was lunchtime!" Despite their problems, the choir improved on its previous showing by finishing second.

By 1916, the "Record" was reporting the impressive achievements of the junior choir. Fifteen contests: 11 first-places, two second-places and one third-place. Furthermore, they had held the Challenge Cup in all but two years between 1907 and 1915! During the First World War concerts were increased to boost moral. A number of concerts were given to wounded soldiers at the Red Cross Hospital in Shardlow. In 1924, Mr LA Pattison took over as conductor and was to become one of the most influential figures in our history. A gradual move away from solely choral work led to a concert version of Carmen, and in 1928 a production of Faust. 1938 saw the first full musical production, "Merry England", and in the same year the choir was invited to sing at Pebble Mill. In 1939 a sister society was formed to perform plays as the Arcade Players, and as a result we have enjoyed a healthy relationship with this group ever since. Some members of EMS have been involved in both groups. The outbreak of World War 2, in 1939, saw a return to solely choral work. However, the shape of EMS's future had been well and truly set during the 1930's! With the advent of peace in 1945, the Society returned to performing complete musical shows rather than the patriotic concerts that had filled the war years. In 1947 the "Mikado" was staged and apart from 1951 and 1960 when "Merry England" was the production, the next fifteen years were filled with the productions of Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas - under the cumbersome name of The Co-operative Society Senior Prize Choir Amateur Operatic Group. 1962 saw a change in direction with a production of "The Desert Song" by the group now known as the Long Eaton Co-operative Society Limited Senior Choir at The Peoples Hall.

In 1964 came another change as the group became known as "EDACRA" - the word "Arcade" in reverse in recognition of the Arcade Buildings which housed the Co-op's Education Committee, and the word "~Arcade" already being used by our sister group -The Arcade Players. "~The White Horse Inn" was performed in 1965 using the Long Eaton Silver Prize Band as part of the production - and following this in 1966 the Society joined with an even more famous brass band - The CWS (Manchester) Band to perform a concert at the De Montford Hall, Leicester under the baton of Alex Mortimer. In 1967 the production of "The Quaker Girl" the leading male part had to be taken over only twelve hours before the dress rehearsal - a real headache for the producer Jock Ferrier who became our President in 1995 - but the show was acclaimed as "~magnificent" . The 1968 production of "The Merry Widow" had to be postponed because a professional production was taking place, but eventually it was staged in 1969 but unfortunately the long serving M.D. - Mr. J. H. Newberry - did not live to see his wish fulfilled. In 1973 Jock Ferrier was back at the helm to produce "The Sound of Music" - a local press advert brought 68 young hopefuls auditioning for the "~Von Trapp" children. In 1977 the Society had to move from the Peoples Hall and their new venue became Friesland School, Sandiacre - with a production of "A Wedding in Paris" - the next twelve months saw a further change with the group taking on its present title of Erewash Musical Society. In 1980 when the production was "~Viva Mexico" the then Chairman, Mr. Fred Green, said he desired to see the group return to Long Eaton before its centenary. In 1984 the Society moved back to Long Eaton with its venue at the Wilsthorpe School, and then in 1988 we moved into the Duchess Theatre at the Chatsworth Centre (a converted church).

Since moving back to Long Eaton, the Society has endeavoured to perform shows to cover everyone's tastes: "New Moon", "Showboat", "Charlie Girl", "Anything Goes", as well as old favourites like "My Fair Lady", "Oklahoma!", "The Sound of Music" and "Cabaret" to name but a few. In the last few years Erewash Musical Society has gone through many changes and has not been afraid to take on some demanding shows. The fire that completely destroyed The Duchess Theatre in 2003, forced us to change venue to The May Hall, Trent College. Our first show there was "Sweet Charity" in March 2004 that went on to win the NODA regional award for Best Musical for that year. One of the most challenging shows in our 110 years history came with our production of "Singin" in the Rain" which not only contained silent movies but it actually "rained" on stage! We were nominated for Best Musical and Best Programme for our 2008 production of HMS Pinafore which we where runner up with a highly commended for the show but win Best Programme for the whole east midlands. 2009 saw the men get them off for "The Full Monty" where they revealed their talent to a sell out audience.

As a society, there is still much to be done, with many more shows to perform - it will be very interesting to read in the future, what the Society has achieved over the next 100 years. One thing is certain, it will include enthusiasm, friendship and above all a desire to enjoy what we do in order to give our audiences a professional production - wouldn't you like to be part of the future E.M.S. - there's always a welcome for new members.

membership

Excluding the Youth Group, there are two types of full membership: acting and non-acting. Non-acting membership gives you all the advantages of acting membership but you simply don't perform on stage.

We have many types of member: some want to act, some sing, some manage props and costumes, etc - i.e. it's not just for those that get a kick out of being on stage.

Whatdoyougetasamember?

• Access to rehearsals
• An invitation to all social events
• A monthly newsletter (via email)
• Entitlement to vote at the AGM

Paying for membership is by monthly Standing Order which should be filled in and returned with your application form. If you do not wish to or cannot pay by Standing Order and prefer to pay the full subscription it MUST be paid on acceptance into the society.

Membership is for 12 months, starting each 1st July, and so should an increase in rate be voted for at the Annual General Meeting the increase must be implemented straight away by contacting your bank and adjusting your standing order. If you join the Society part way through a year, we will round down your membership to the nearest month pro rata. So, if you join in July it will be the full amount, join in January and you pay for six months. The exception to this is that returning members always pay a full year's membership.

If you are joining as an Acting Member you will need to audition (not required as a non-acting Member). This will be done at a Monday rehearsal with the pianist and 3-5 members of the committee. You will have to display some basic ability to dance and act as part of the audition as well as sing something of your choice. This is carried out to ensure that:

(a) most importantly for a musical society, you can actually sing, and
(b) should you be successful, that you are placed with people who have the same voice range as you.

Committees

As a member of the society you may wish become more involved with its running and decide to become a member of one of our committees. We have several different committees which assist in the running of the society, the current members of these can be found below. For more information you can contact a member of the main committee or the Members" Secretary.

• Main Committee
• Social Committee
• Youth Group Committee

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are held on Monday and Friday nights and Sunday mornings at our rehearsal rooms above the Co-op funeral parlour on Granville Avenue, Long Eaton.

Members of the chorus are expected to make all Mondays when practicable unless rehearsal schedules inform you to the contrary, you should arrive by 7:20pm for a prompt 7:30pm start. Rehearsals generally run no later than 10:00pm; however this may overrun slightly when the show is getting close. Should you be absent for any reason, please inform the production team.

Principles will be expected to attend Friday rehearsals as required by the production team. Sunday morning dance rehearsals may also be called by the production team for all cast members as necessary. For a complete list of rehearsals and who is expected to be present, refer to the detailed rehearsal schedule that is issued by the production team for each show once auditions have been completed.

We have approximately four all-day Sunday rehearsals, roughly 10am until 5pm, just before show week. It takes a lot of commitment to perform to a high standard, if you can't commit to the required level don't let it put you off.

societyCONSTITUTION

(An equal opportunities organisation)
A Member of the Co-op Group, Eastern/Central Region

Amended, as agreed, at the Annual General Meeting dated 15th June 2009

InformationForNewMembers

The society is always looking for new talent, so if you are a singer, dancer or actor, or are lucky enough to be all three and would like to join the society then please contact the Members' Secretary; membership application forms can be downloaded using the links at the bottom of this page. Additionally, a copy of the New Members Welcome Pack can be downloaded below.

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MembershipSubscriptions

Subscriptions for the season will be due immediately at the start of the musical rehearsals (these are subject to change):

Please complete the application form and hand it along with the appropriate payment to the secretary. Payment can be made by either cash or cheque made payable to "Erewash Musical Society" .

CompanyAudition

Every member of the Society is required to audition. When attending the company audition you will be required to sing a song of your choice that reflects your vocal range. Please bring along the appropriate score for piano accompaniment. You will also be required to pass a dance audition and read a small section of libretto. The secretary will inform you of the outcome of your audition. Should you be unsuccessful in getting into the production, there are a number of options available to you that will allow involvement with the Society, for example:

• Help during show week, backstage or front-of-house;
• Assist with wardrobe duties;
• Attend / take part in social activities.

Should you wish to discuss this process any further, please contact the a member of the Members' Secretary.

PrincipalAuditions

Members will only be able to audition for a principal role after they have performed in one show or musical production.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals take place on Monday evenings and some Sunday mornings, along with principal rehearsals on Friday evenings. Evening rehearsals start promptly at 7.30pm and last till 9.30, 10pm at The Co-operative room at Granville Avenue in Long Eaton. As we get closer to the production additional rehearsals will take place. A complete timetable will be issued by the production team for each show once auditions have taken place. Further details can be found here.

Please refer to the Society's Constitution for more information.

ApplicationForms

If you would like to join Erewash Musical Society, either as an Acting member or as a Non-Acting member, then please download the relevant application form below. There are two versions of each document; there is a Microsoft Word version for those that have a copy installed and wish to complete the form electronically. There is also a Portable Document Format (PDF) version for those that wish to complete the application by hand or do not have a copy of Microsoft Word installed.

Acting Members	Non-Acting Members
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