Constitution for Hoos in the Stairwell. Article I: NAME. Hoos in the Stairwell (HoosITS) Article II: PURPOSE.

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1 Constitution for Hoos in the Stairwell Article I: NAME. Hoos in the Stairwell (HoosITS) Article II: PURPOSE. Hoos in the Stairwell is a co-ed musical theater a cappella group providing singers from the university community with a chance to perform pieces from a variety of different musicals, as well as mash-ups with popular music. Performing in eclectic locations, the group takes advantage of the many acoustically interesting spaces around the University. Bringing dedicated students together, the group aims to introduce musical theater to the realm of a cappella at UVA and in the greater Charlottesville community, as well as foster an appreciation for the genre and its versatility. Students will be given the chance to arrange their own music if they so desire, developing their understanding of musical theory and the genre of musical theater. Members will be involved in the administration of the group, organizing, publicizing, and developing relationships within the group and in the larger collegiate a cappella community. Article III: MEMBERSHIP. An audition process will determine acceptance into Hoos in the Stairwell. Once in the group, members must attend a minimum of one rehearsal per week. Alumni status will be acquired after three semesters of membership, or if a consecutive member from acceptance until graduation. Hoos in the Stairwell does not restrict its membership, programs, or activities on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family and genetic information. Subarticle I: AUDITION AND CALLBACK. Initial auditions will be held for anyone interested. This will involve scale exercises, pitch recall, and the performance of a song of the singer's choice that demonstrates singers vocal ability. This song need not be from the genre of musical theater. Callbacks will be held for the top auditionees, consisting of a variety of solo excerpts of the Music Director's choice, a group song, and several group blending exercises. Subarticle II: ATTENDANCE.

2 If unable to meet the requirement of one rehearsal per week, the member must discuss attendance options with the Music Director and President. A maximum of five unexcused absences will be allowed, after which the member will be asked to leave, with the option to re-audition the following semester. An excused absence will be defined as a conflict that cannot be avoided or rescheduled such as a class, sickness, rehearsal for a show, etc. An unexcused absence will be defined as a conflict that can be missed such as homework, family visits, going home, etc. Subarticle III: LEAVE OF ABSENCE. If a member must take a leave of absence from the group, said absence can be no longer than one semester for this person to still be considered a full member. After more than one semester of absence, they must re-audition for the group. This stipulation excludes study-abroad, internships, family emergency, health crises, etc. To request a leave of absence, one must present the Music Director and President with information concerning the nature of their leave. Subarticle IV: NON- DISCRIMINATION. Hoos in the Stairwell does not restrict its membership, programs, or activities on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family and genetic information. Notwithstanding these requirements, a CIO may petition to restrict its membership based on gender (e.g. all-male or all-female a cappella groups) or an ability to perform the activities related to the organization s purpose by filing a written request with the Office of the Dean of Students. In evaluating any such requests, the University will look not merely to the constitution of an organization but to its actual practices and operations. Article IV: OFFICERS. Hoos in the Stairwell will have the following executive positions: Music Director, Assistant Music Director, President, Treasurer, Publicity, Social, and Historian. These positions will hold minimum terms of two semesters (spring to fall), with the option of unlimited reelection. There is no hierarchy of position within this

3 executive group, however the Music Director and President are the main decisionmaking and organizational positions. Subarticle I: MUSIC DIRECTOR. The Music Director will be responsible for repertoire, composing, directing rehearsal and conducting. All matters of music fall first and foremost to the Music Director. Subarticle II: ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR. The Assistant Music Director will be responsible for aiding the Music Director with repertoire, composing, directing rehearsal and communication within the group. If the Music Director is unavailable for any reason, the Assistant Music Director has the power to run rehearsals in their stead. After a semester as the Assistant Music Director, this member then becomes eligible for the role of Music Director. Subarticle III: PRESIDENT. The President will be in charge of booking spaces for rehearsals and networking, paperwork, as well as finding and scheduling performance opportunities. The President will also be in charge of taking attendance. This position is equal in importance and responsibility with the Music Director. Subarticle IV: TREASURER. The Treasurer will be in charge of budgeting, collecting dues, purchases, ticketing (excluding design), and merchandise. A concert ticket will be $4 in advance and $5 at the door. Dues will be $20 for new members in their first semester and include a group t-shirt, and $10 for returning members. Subarticle V: PUBLICITY. Publicity Chair(s) will be in charge of advertising: promoting the group to the greater University community. Promotions include but is not limited to chalking, flyering, social media, etc. The Publicity Chair(s) is responsible for gathering flyer and T-shirt designs for voting and will design the concert tickets and programs. Subarticle VI: SOCIAL. The Social Chair will be in charge of organizing social events to bring the group together, as well as organize inter-a cappella events. Subarticle VII: HISTORIAN.

4 The Historian(s) will be in charge of website management and videos. They will be in charge of documenting the group through photos, videos, and blog posts. They will also partner with the Publicity Chair(s) to create content for social media. Article V: SETLIST AND ARRANGING PROTOCOLS. A minimum of ten songs will be included in the semester setlist. In order to preserve the original purpose of a theatrically-focused repertoire, the Music Director can only include in the set list one Disney movie song per semester and only two mash-up of a musical theatre song which may be with another genre per semester (this rule is to be followed regardless of who arranges the song). Repeating old songs is encouraged, but a piece may only be performed for two consecutive semesters, after which it will be retired for a minimum of two semesters. This stipulation excludes a Christmas piece and graduation group piece ( On my Way ). Any member can arrange a song after gaining permission from the Music Director. Article VI: ELECTIONS. Elections for official positions will be determined by their role in the group. All positions will be elected in the fall. For the Assistant Music Director, this process will include an initial application phase, from which the current Music Director will choose two to three possible successors, with the options of also nominating themselves. The group as a whole will elect the new Assistant Music Director from these nominees. After a year as the Assistant Music Director, this member will then become eligible to become the Music Director. All other executive positions will be decided by in-person general election with no application process. A member may choose to run for a position, or be nominated on the floor by another member of the group. Each position s term of office will last for one year, and the previous position holders may act in an honorary position as advisors to new leaders during the spring semester if necessary. Article VII: REHEARSALS/MEETINGS. There will be a three-hour rehearsal held on Sunday and a two-hour rehearsal during the week that will be decided by popular vote. The time commitment may increase nearer to a performance date. Additionally, sectionals will be held at the discretion of the singers. Executive board members will also be responsible for

5 attending a meeting once a month to discuss administrative decisions. Article VIII: FINANCE. The Treasurer will be in charge of budgeting, collection of funds and fundraising and all purchases must be approved by the Treasurer. Article IX. AMENDMENTS AND BY-LAWS. Amendments to the constitution will be written and subsequently approved with a two-thirds majority vote.