Update on COTH fees and payment processes

This is a copy of an update email sent to COTH members on 28th August. If you haven't received the email but have previously opted in to our new mailbox, please check your junk folder. If you haven't yet opted in, please contact us on sing@choironthehill.com

Over the summer, your management team has been working hard to set up the many processes, procedures and infrastructure to make sure the new choir organisation runs as smoothly as possible. Below is an update on the way membership fees will now be managed.

Membership fees

As a small, volunteer-led, not-for-profit community group, we rely heavily on membership payments so that we can provide engaging, high-quality rehearsals, led by an experienced music director, in a comfortable and spacious venue. For this reason, we encourage as many members as possible to sign up for a subscription and commit to attending each week, if you can.

What Membership includes

Membership includes weekly rehearsals, access to all online resources and, as requested by the majority of you, it will also now cover performances. We've calculated our weekly fee to be as low as possible but, in order to manage, promote and grow this community group, we need additional help with the many running costs involved.

How to pay

We will now offer either Pay as You Go membership or a Subscription. Essentially, PAYG rates will rise by £1, but, if you pay by subscription, the cost will remain the same.

PAYG Membership is £10.00 per rehearsal session (or £5.00 concessionary rate*). You can pay in the room, at rehearsal, using our card reader. We use Stripe, a secure payment processing platform.

Subscription is at a discounted rate of £9.00 per session (or £4.50 concessionary rate*). The cost of the subscription will reflect the number of weekly sessions in a given period (half term or full term) and is payable in advance. The payment will be taken safely and securely through Stripe online payments.

The first half term (5 Sep - 24 Oct inclusive) has 8 rehearsals so the subscription will be £72.00 full rate or £36 concession.

We hope to automate subscription payments in the near future but, if you are interested in setting up one now, please email sing@choironthehill.com or speak to a member of the management team.

Note: subscriptions will be non refundable (other than in exceptional circumstances) even if you miss a session.

What happens to your membership payments

All payments will be overseen by the Choir on the Hill management team, accounted for by our treasurer, and will be used solely for the running, promotion and activity of the choir.

*CONCESSIONARY RATES

At Choir on the Hill, we're committed to removing barriers when it comes to understanding, enjoying, and participating in music. We've calculated our weekly fee to be as low as possible, however, if you find this unaffordable, you may be eligible for our concessionary rate (PAYG £5.00 pw or Subscription £4.50 x no of weeks in a term, which is half the standard rate). The concession membership may be helpful for those who are unwaged, on low income or receiving governmental support through benefits. We don't ask for any 'proof', however, we do ask you to let us know if your circumstances change and you become able to pay the full rate. For every person who is happy to pay the full membership rate, it means that more can go towards growing and running our amazing choir.

If you need more information on this, please email us at sing@choironthehill.com