Feedback from new members

Summary report about the Vox Feedback Pilot – Jo Tunnard & Katie Warner – 9 June 2026

This report summarises comments and suggestions from the 10 new members who took
part in a feedback pilot project in early 2026, and from informal discussions with some
members and trustees during that period. The pilot arose from a recommendation of the
2025 Vox Strategic Review that we should explore ways of making Vox more welcoming.

THE PILOT FEEDBACK QUESTIONS

  1. How was it for you, being welcomed by a current choir member?
  2. Were you introduced to the Welcome Pack (on the welcome table)?
  3. Did you FEEL welcome?
  4. What might help people settle in easily?
  5. How’s the pace and style of learning for you so far?
  6. What else would you like to tell us about your early experience of Vox?

HOW WE RAN THE FEEDBACK PILOT
Before the start of the January 2026 term, an email from Tricia Zipfel (chair) invited 7
members to come to a trial Welcome Table and be part of a group helping new people settle
in. Those invited had already expressed interest in Vox being more welcoming. For several
weeks after that first welcoming session, two of us continued to identify and welcome other
new people. Halfway through each term we gave out feedback forms, with the option of
responding in person instead of completing a form.
10 forms were returned (some after gentle reminders): 4 as a hard copy, 6 by email or email
attachment. Two people didn’t do a form, having decided not to join Vox, or to join later. The
email responses were more detailed than the earlier hard-copy responses.
During the pilot, we met trustees Ellie Whittaker and Tricia, to keep them updated and to
capture other ideas emerging from informal chats with new and more-established members.

WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT VOX?
Everyone had something positive to say about Vox. Including:
 feeling really/very/100% welcomed – people were said to be smiley, friendly, inclusive,
accepting; nice to be invited to sit next to someone, be asked how I was getting on; the
feeling of being part of a community
 Vox’s “ambition”, “energy” and “enthusiasm”, the challenge of doing without scores,
thoughtful management of tricky issues (the recent choice of folk song)
 name tags, and different approaches: audio, visual, movement aides
 the “anchor” of the Welcome Table, for anyone – new and old – to dip into
 the complementary way Harvey and James support and teach us, and the occasional
technique lessons from Katina
 the diversity of music and the laughter
 the “phenomenal sound” when things work out well
 professional and well run, takes music seriously but not too seriously
 a timely start and finish each week.

HOW CAN WE BE EVEN GREATER?
Everyone had at least one improvement idea, from their own experience at Vox so far and/or
from other group settings. Including:

Adopt a Vox Welcome! protocol – eg name of new attenders passed to welcome
feedback team, the sectional welcome lead offers to pal them up with a buddy,
Harvey introduces and welcomes anyone new each time, online Welcome Pack
emailed after sign up, and welcome feedback is sought each term or half term.

  1. Name badges – we’re a big group, so wear badges every week.
  2. Buddy system – offer this for the first few weeks, with ‘buddy’ defined and a crib
    sheet of tasks involved (); a lead buddy organiser for each section; a’ welcome table huddle’ for the first few weeks; regular catch-up and review for buddies, section leads, and the welcome team; and periodic review by trustees of feedback received. () such as greet and chat, introduce to others, offer a seat, explain break time, chamber choir
    activity, door codes, protocol for chair stacking, invite to share the tea rota, explain scores and
    learning aides, weekly Vox email, relationship with St Lukes, how to give apology for absence,
    who to contact to ask for help, generally look out for them after their buddy period.
  3. Practice in smaller groups – some sectionals, please, given the pace of work,
    especially with the welcome increase in doing without scores. And to accommodate
    those unsure of notes and non-music readers, and to increase rehearsal
    stimulation/satisfaction.
  4. A targeted recruitment approach – to increase diversity, with specific mention of
    (1) ethnicity, (2) age, (3) disability, and stressing the need for direct contact, material
    placed where different people hang out, involvement of relevant choir members in
    planning and action.
  5. Everyone’s business – remember that at least 3 people have left in recent months,
    feeling unwelcomed. We must keep reinforcing the ‘Vox welcome!’ message – all this
    is everyone’s business, not just action for those with specific feedback tasks. Think
    and do all you can – eg be flexible about where you sit in your section; be welcoming,
    with sensitivity to possible invisible disabilities, neurodivergence, shyness and other
    attributes.
  6. Other ideas logged – more regular tips for technique (better control, breathing);
    clearer seating demarcation of sections in full group; nice if Harvey, James and other
    leads could mingle more at breaks.

NEXT STEPS
 Trustees want to encourage more general feedback and are currently deciding the best
format and frequency for surveying all members, about repertoire, rehearsals, style of
learning, concerts, and pastoral and other issues.
 This will complement rather than replace the survey of new people, who will always
bring a fresh perspective to take account of. We are using the same feedback format this
term and will update it from September.
 We are now starting to implement recommendations. Your thoughts, and offers of help,
very welcome! Please speak to Ellie, Tricia, Jo (alto) or Katie (alto).