Greater Manassas Children s Choir

Transcription

1 Greater Manassas Children s Choir Handbook gmccsings@gmail.com Susan Dommer, Artistic Director Rebecca Verner, Artistic Director

2 Staff and Contact Information Staff Artistic Director (Younger Choir)... Accompanist (Younger Choir)... Artistic Director (Older Choir)... Accompanist (Older Choir)... Susan Dommer Patricia DiGiovine Becky Verner Kimberley Hill Manassas Chorale Board of Directors President... Mark Dodge Vice-President... Mimi Menzies Secretary... Kimberley Hill Treasurer... Greg Aleman Greater Manassas Children s Choir Committee Artistic Director... Susan Dommer Artistic Director... Becky Verner Director of Operations... Anna Williams Treasurer... Carolyn Kriebel Secretary... Hannah Nixon Manassas Chorale Members: Eileen Daniels, Patricia DiGiovine, Kimberley Hill, Daisy Reynolds, and Diana Van Broekhoven Parent Members: Sandy Loy Mailing Address: Greater Manassas Children s Choir P. O. Box 101, Manassas, VA Address: gmccsings@gmail.com

3 Who We Are The Greater Manassas Children s Choir (GMCC) is an educational and performance opportunity for singers in grades 2 8 (with unchanged voices). GMCC is a richly diverse group of singers from a variety of backgrounds. Sponsored by the Manassas Chorale, singers are divided into younger and older groups and rehearse from mid-september through mid-may, with concerts in December and May. Directors and accompanists are professional musicians. Choir Goals Artistic Musicianship Interval and Rhythmic Reading Rehearsal Skills Performance Skills A Lifelong Love of Choral Music Rehearsal Location: Manassas Church of the Brethren Nokesville Road Manassas, VA :15-7:30 pm

4 How to Become a Member Voice Checks Singers may request a voice check prior to the season. The voice check consists of range exploration and singing a song of the singer s choice, with music provided by the singer. Prior musical training is not necessary. Contact Becky Verner at or gmccsings@gmail.com to set up a time for a voice check. Confirmation Singers are notified of their acceptance into the choir at his/ her voice check. If for some reason a singer chooses not to join the choir, parents are asked to respond by with their regrets. There is a one time $15 registration fee for all NEW singers. This fee only applies to your singer the first year that they are a member of GMCC. Resignation Singers are expected to be members of GMCC for the entire September through May season. If a singer is unable to complete the entire season due to extended illness or family relocation, parents are to submit a letter of resignation and allow the directors an opportunity to meet with the singer. *Once the payment contract is signed, complete payment is expected and is not dependent upon the singer s participation. **If there are unusual circumstances, please contact your director.

5 Rehearsals Rehearsals are held on Thursdays from 6:15 7:30 pm. We are guests of the Manassas Church of the Brethren. Singers are to arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to the start of rehearsal, and parents are to be very prompt in picking up their singers at the end of rehearsal. Parents must come inside the building to pick up their singer. If a singer is picked up later than 7:45 pm more than three (3) times between September-December and January-May, a $25 fee will be charged. Procedures Arrive between 6:00 and 6:10 pm to sign in, pick up music folder and put on nametag. Place any paperwork or money (labeled with the singer s name) in the boxes provided. Do not give any paperwork or money to the director! Bring a WATER bottle (labeled with the singer s name). Turn off or mute any electronic devices. Put music in rehearsal order. Be in assigned seat by 6:15 pm, ready to sing. Demonstrate good listening skills. Expectations for Singer Behavior and Citizenship Singers are expected to be productive members of the choir. Please remember that we only have a limited time to prepare for our concerts talking, texting and disrupting the learning of others is not acceptable. GMCC is a choir family and each singer is expected to be polite and kind to everyone involved in this organization. Singers who have repeated behaviors that impact our rehearsals will need to have a conference with a parent and the director concerning future participation in the choir. GMCC reserves the right to suspend the membership of any singer who consistently displays rude or dangerous behavior.

6 Attendance Roll is taken at each rehearsal and members are either marked present, absent, tardy or sick. No more than two (2) absences are allowed per semester, and three (3) tardies count as one absence. If a singer will be absent, PLEASE notify us at gmccsings@gmail.com as soon as possible. If a singer is well enough to attend a rehearsal (without a fever) but is unable to sing, he/she may sit in their regular seat and follow their music. Singers who do miss a rehearsal are expected to spend extra time at home practicing their music. Singers who miss more than two (2) rehearsals or the dress rehearsal must make arrangements to sing their music for the director, and to demonstrate any choreography in order to be cleared to perform in the concert. The following are the only excused absences for a dress rehearsal: personal illness, death in a singer s immediate family, or a mandatory school activity. Inclement Weather Policy GMCC follows the Prince William County Government closures for emergencies and inclement weather. Please check TV channels 7 and 8 for closure reports. In addition, the directors will send out an by 3:30 pm of the day in question.

7 Expectations for Concerts/Performances Eat a nutritious meal, be hydrated, and be rested before the concert. Arrive at announced time, dressed in concert attire. Conduct yourself in a calm, polite, professional manner. Be enthusiastic, expressive and entertaining. NEVER wave or call out to anyone. Be quiet and attentive when others are singing. If you become ill on stage, leave quietly and find a backstage chaperone to help you. Singers in the Audience (While Others Are On Stage) Turn all electronic devices off. Be a good listener do not sing along. Do not talk to others. Pay attention and respect others. Applaud at proper times. NEVER wave, call out, or make noises. Uniforms/Appearance GMCC polo shirt may only be worn for GMCC events. Black dress pants. Absolutely NO jeans. Shoes closed black toe shoes; girls closed toe flats or heels 1 to 1 ½. Socks black; girls may wear black hose. No dangly earrings. No necklaces. No large headbands. Clean and neat appearance. No bright lipstick, natural make-up. Absolutely NO perfume, cologne, or scented lotions. Other singers and musicians have allergies and asthma, and are extremely allergic to all scents.

8 Tuition The yearly tuition is $225 per singer, with a $20 discount when tuition is paid in full. Families with multiple singers will also receive a discount. Tuition fees help to defray expenses such as music supplies, instruments, rehearsal space, and staff. Tuition Options Due Number of Singers Annual 28-Sep $205 $385 $565 Quarterly Monthly (payments are due at the last rehearsal of every month) 28-Sep $75 $142 $ Jan $75 $142 $ Apr $75 $142 $ Sep $25 $48 $70 26-Oct $25 $48 $70 30-Nov $50 $96 $140 Dec No Rehearsals 25-Jan $25 $48 $70 22-Feb $25 $48 $70 22-Mar $25 $48 $70 26-Apr $25 $48 $70 3-May $25 $48 $70 *Once the payment contract is signed, complete payment is expected and is not dependent upon the singer s participation. Payments Cash or checks are accepted. Checks can be made out to Greater Manassas Children s Choir or GMCC with your child s name printed on the memo line. Financial Assistance Partial tuition scholarships will be available on a limited basis. Please contact the Directors for details.

9 Shirts Every singer must purchase a shirt, but the shirts may be worn multiple years providing they still fit the singer. The cost of a GMCC polo shirt is $20. Child Protection Policy GMCC has a Child Protection Policy in place. If you have questions about the policy or would like to receive a copy, please us at gmccsings@gmail.com. Bullying Please note that GMCC will be holding singers and their parents accountable for their behavior. Bullying will not be tolerated and parents will be notified. Parent Opportunities Become a member of the GMCC Committee. Help with uniforms. Chaperone at rehearsals. Help with distribution of publicity (posters, upcoming events, notices in neighborhood news ). Promote the choir by seeking sponsors and patrons. Notes Absolutely NO perfume, cologne, or scented lotions. Other singers and musicians have allergies and asthma, and are extremely allergic to all scents. Gum, candy and other food items are not allowed in rehearsals or performances. Restrooms should be used prior to rehearsals and performances. Parents, please remember to make your tuition payments on time.