Chorale Guidelines

(Updated Fall '05)

Mission Statement

The Finger Lakes Women’s Chorale seeks to raise the public’s awareness of the largely unknown but rich and diverse treble literature by providing talented female singers with performance opportunities to share this repertoire with community audiences.

Rehearsals | Dues | Concert | Membership | Music

Rehearsal Schedule and Attendance

Regular rehearsals are held weekly:  Tuesday evenings, 7:30 - 9:30 pm, at the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA), 330 East State Street, Ithaca.

Holly Adams maintains the weekly sign-in chart.  If you must be late or absent for any reason, notify Holly and the Director in advance.

Occasionally, members will be asked by the Steering Committee to attend a business meeting one half hour before, or at 7:00 pm.

Members may miss up to one regular rehearsal prior to each concert, after which any absences will have to be made up at the makeup sessions.  The makeup rehearsal schedule will be posted by the third rehearsal of the concert season.  Note that dress rehearsals are mandatory.  Members will not be allowed to sing in the concert if they miss the dress rehearsal.

If you have missed a regular rehearsal and cannot attend a makeup session, consider arranging, or participating in, a sectional rehearsal.

• A member may request a sectional with the understanding that attendance at these sectionals, on the part of her fellow members, is voluntary.
• Full attendance of the section is not necessary to have an effective sectional.
• Members requesting sectionals will be responsible for setting them up.
• Whoever calls a sectional is responsible for recording those attending that session on the Chorale attendance sheet.

Rehearsal Expectations

• Be on time.
• Bring a pencil to all rehearsals.  Mark breathing places, cut-offs, phrasing, dynamics, etc., at the time they are given.  Note:  No highlighter or pen on Chorale music since the markings may change.
• Learn your part at home.  Rehearsal time is for working on refining the ensemble sound.
• Focus.  Chatting and socializing are welcome at a break and before and after rehearsals, but when the music stops for correction or musical advice, give all your attention to the Director; questions or suggestions should be directed to her, rather than to your neighbor.
• Switch off cell phones.
• Avoid bringing babies and very young children to rehearsals.
• Organize your music as soon as possible into a lightweight, black notebook.

Dues

Membership dues are $70.00 a year, in addition to score and sheet music fees that total about $20.00 per season.  Checks are payable to FLWC and should be given to the acting Treasurer of the group by the second rehearsal of the season.  The Chorale is self-supporting, so the members’ financial support enables the ensemble to exist and pay for instrumentalists, concert space, Director’s fee, publicity, etc. 

In the case of special circumstances, see the Director to discuss payment arrangements.

Marketing and Promotions

For each concert all singers are asked to sell 5 tickets per concert and to circulate flyers, posters, and launch e-mail campaigns about the Chorale’s upcoming performance(s).

Things to Avoid

For all rehearsals and performances, avoid scent of any kind:  perfume, cologne, mousse, hair spray, scented soaps, perfumed deodorants, garlic, onion, tobacco, or alcohol breath.

Concert Appearance

Unless otherwise indicated by the Director and the Concert Manager, concert dress is usually basic black (skirt or slacks), a black top with full or 3/4-length sleeves, and a neck scarf of one solid color.

Music must be in a lightweight 3-hole punch black notebook with a rigid back.

Concert Deportment

Arrive on time for warm-ups.

Pay close attention to the instructions for getting on and off the stage.  When entering and leaving, carry your music in the hand away from the audience.

Also, remember to:

• Be aware of your body language or posture when singing or waiting during a solo or instrumental section.  If a mistake has been made, do not “broadcast” it to the audience.  Maintain your composure;
• Avoid talking or whispering onstage unless it is absolutely necessary to the performance;
• Turn the page directly and quietly to the next chorus when performing a piece that includes soloists;
• Keep the Director within your line of vision.  Do not “bury” yourself in the music;
• Acknowledge the soloists and instrumentalists with decorum.  Instructions as to when to stand upon the entrance of soloists and conductor and for curtain calls will be given before each performance.
• Smile in acknowledgment of your own performance;
• Continue filing out with the Chorale, after a concert, all the way to the lobby or music room.

Policy for Ongoing Members and New and Returning Members

People sing in the Chorale with the permission of the Director.  All new members will go through some sort of audition process, decided by the Director, and there may be occasions when returning and ongoing members may be asked to re-audition as well.

Auditions for Solos Policy

Singers may be asked, or auditioned, by the Director to sing a solo.

Music Scores

Members buy scores and/or sheet music.  If a member wishes to use her own score, it must be the same edition as that chosen by the Director.

Caring for Your Music

FLWC works from both music that is in print and photocopies of music that is out of print; as a result, these rehearsal copies are sometimes replaced in advance of a concert.  When that is the case, make sure that your markings are transferred to the final copy.

CLL:  09/28/05