I am starting to do official organist/choir things, which is rather exciting. (I don't officially start until December, but I'm organising things now for Christmas services which need extra time)

My question is, when writing a letter in the role of organist, do you have a letterhead, or just write as if a formal letter? If you use a letterhead, what is it like?

Do you prefer to first contact people by letter or on the telephone? (or email?! [which probably wouldn't work for some people I need to contact due to lack of computer])

I've posted some letters today, which were formal letter style, but I'm wondering what others do.

Thanks,

pcf (should probably have thought about this earlier )

Who are you writing to? That is the most important piece of information which you seem to have omitted.

Good point!

Various people - people who join the choir for certain services (so needing to know times and dates for rehearsals), groups whose services I am playing for (so needing to contact me with the hymns, and know who I am) and any other correspondence in the future (ie. people who might not know me, and might need music arrangements for events in the church).

Maybe a letter-head with the name of the choir and a contact number or e-mail address (ie yours).

It is always nice to have the same official notepaper as the church. Quite often, chuches have a small logo or miniature picture of the building on their notepaper.

It may be that you can use something like that with your details on and the header 'From the organist and Choirmaster'.

First impressions are important. Good notepaper and good typing convey the impression of efficiency.

Similarly, it is easy to set up a specific email address such as 'organist&choirmasterstbloggs @xxxx'

Barry Williams

Thank you both.

The church do have a small logo on some letters, but that will be changing in January as the parish is changing name and boundaries. I will see whether I can find out what the new logo will be. I have done most things needed for December, so it will be in the new year that I will need to do anything.
I would want it to look quite formal, as I generally use email or telephone people at first. I check everything several times before sending it, as I am like that.

I can have an email address with "organist@" with my current email setup, so will sort that out too.

This being my first "organist" job, I'm wanting to make the right impressions, so I may be back with more obvious questions, I'm afraid!