Members
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The Chorus Music Policy
We purchase music for each chorus usually twice each year. The costs of the music for the season is then divided equally amongst all members of the choir. If we have earned any monies during the year through a concert or performance, that money goes towards reducing the overall costs of the music for the chorus.
The chorus still “owns” the music however. Should you leave the chorus we will ask that you hand in your music. It is impossible to order just a few copies of each piece and often the title is no longer in print. We maintain a library of music and regularly select pieces from the library for a concert.
Music Selection Policy
The Musical Director is ultimately responsible for all selections of pieces for performance. The input of the accompanists and chorus members is appreciated but the director must make decisions based on many different factors, some of which can change even during the course of a concert.
We are a non-denominational choir. Given the choir’s audience it is impossible to avoid music that is religious in nature as we prepare for a Christmas or a church concert. We regularly rehearse and perform music selected from a diverse ethnic, cultural, historic and religious genres. We try to get high quality arrangements for the voices that make up each chorus and some of these arrangements will be of a religious or spiritual nature. No member is required to sing at a concert and many of our concerts are held in area churches since they have the accompaniment instruments and often the best acoustics.
Concert Selection Policy
Traditionally we try to hold two “choir-directed” concerts each year: one in early December and the other in the second week of June. Many factors can intervene with these dates, for example: a major community sponsored concert featuring the choir may preempt one or more programs.
Other events are taken only if the chorus is prepared to consider the engagement and if sufficient members are capable of attending to make up a full chorus. Every concert date is presented to the chorus members and a vote is taken before any appearance is confirmed.
Our concerts are offered without charge to the audience. Groups which utilize our talents can charge admission and are encouraged to assist us by making a contribution to the choir’s ongoing finances, but there is no requirement for payment or set fees established.
At every concert venue it is incumbent on the group hosting the chorus to provide a tuned piano for the use of the chorus. If a PA system is available, a microphone for the announcer is appreciated. If the chorus is required to provide a piano then the costs of renting and moving the piano are born directly by the hiring group (usually around $150.00).