THE WOODLANDS CHORALE DR. J. DAVID FABER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Donna Ryan Accompanist MEMBER HANDBOOK 2014-2015 Attendance Requirements for each concert season: Three absences each semester will require a group re-audition of the concert music with Dr. Faber. Should a member miss five rehearsals, he/she will be asked to retire from singing the current concert. Please contact Dr. Faber to discuss personal business: Dave.Faber@lonestar.edu THE WOODLANDS CHORALE MEMBER HANDBOOK 2014
The Woodlands Chorale (TWC) Member Handbook Table of Contents 1.0 Vision and Mission Statements... 1 1.1 Goals... 1 1.2 Core Values... 1 2.0 Membership... 1 2.1 Vocal Placement Assessment... 1 2.2 Solo Auditions... 2 3.0 Commitment/Attendance... 2 3.1 Commitment... 2 3.2 Attendance... 2 3.3 Sign-in... 3 3.4 Schedule... 3 4.0 Rehearsals... 3 4.1 Location... 3 4.2 Time... 3 4.3 Break... 3 4.4 Announcements... 3 4.5 Guidelines... 3 4.6 Review of Music Between Rehearsals... 4 4.7 Special Rehearsals... 4 5.0 Dress Rehearsals/Performances... 4 5.1 Dress Rehearsals... 4 5.2 Performances... 4 5.3 Pre-Performance Guidelines... 4 5.4 During & Post-Performance Guidelines... 4 5.5 Concert Attire... 5 5.5.1 Women... 5 5.5.2 Men... 5 5.6 Music Folders... 5 6.0 Music... 5 7.0 TWC Board of Directors... 5 THE WOODLANDS CHORALE MEMBER HANDBOOK 2014
1.0 Vision and Mission Statements Vision Statement: Make superb choral music available to singers and audiences in our community. Mission Statement: The mission of the Woodlands Chorale is to uphold the highest standards in the performance of classical and contemporary choral repertoire while conducting outreach in the community to attract, educate, and inspire the broadest possible audience, and to recruit the best singers in our community as members of the Chorale. 1.1 Goals The primary goals of the TWC are to maintain the fullest commitment to: The highest standards in the performance of classical and contemporary choral repertoire. Outreach efforts which will attract, educate and inspire the broadest possible audience from all ethnic, financial and age groups. Recruit the best singers in our community as members of our Chorale. 1.2 Core Values Quality Artistic Integrity Creativity and Innovation Community Enrichment and Enjoyment Personal Integrity and Trust Dedicated to attracting, developing and retaining the best singers in the community Dedicated to performing works of a variety of composers and styles Welcome varied and diverse programming and be open to new ways to promote and support the organizational goals Share with the audience the performers passion and joy for choral music; educate the audience through varied choral repertoire Treat people with dignity and respect; respect time commitment required of TWC members 2.0 Membership 2.1 Vocal Placement Assessment (VPA) Audition Membership Membership by audition THE WOODLANDS CHORALE MEMBER HANDBOOK 2014
Registration How to Get a VPA Audition Registration and payment to The Woodlands Chorale Contact: Dr. Dave Faber @ Dave.Faber@lonestar.edu Requirements: Ability to read basic musical notation, previous choral experience desirable Location: Trinity Episcopal Church TWC Rehearsals Format: Approximately 5 minutes (pianist will be provided) 1. Vocalizing (to determine vocal range) 2. Sing 2-3 minute prepared piece (or portion as requested) 3. Brief interview with Artistic Director Suggested Repertoire: Classical selection or ballad, hymn or folk song of medium to slow tempo What to Bring: Two copies of prepared music, enthusiasm to sing Notification of Immediate placement: The criterion for placement in TWC is based upon the singer s vocal quality, range, sense of pitch and rhythm and commitment to rehearsal and performance schedule. 2.2 Solo Auditions TWC chorus members will have the opportunity to audition for solo parts with the Artistic Director. The Artistic Director will make all final soloist decisions. 3.0 Commitment/Attendance 3.1 Commitment TWC membership is for a minimum of one full semester. At semester conclusion, members are encouraged to re-commit for the following semester. 3.2 Attendance TWC rehearsals, dress rehearsals, performances, and other events are mandatory and should hold priority on each member s calendar. Having previously sung a work does not lessen the attendance requirement. TWC realizes that conflicts do occur. Therefore, at the beginning of each semester, the Artistic Director and the Board of Directors will decide upon a reasonable number of allowable normal rehearsal absences per performance cycle. Attendance is required at 2 P age
ALL dress rehearsals and performances. Members should notify the President in advance of all absences. Dress rehearsal or performance conflicts will be reviewed and approved by the Artistic Director on a case-by-case basis. Members may be requested to sing material for the Artistic Director to ensure proficiency. If a member must change his/her original commitment to TWC, he/she should communicate his/her intent to the Artistic Director. (Please see front cover) 3.3 Sign-in Each member is expected to sign in at each rehearsal. Any member who does not sign in will be assumed absent. 3.4 Schedule A schedule of rehearsals is provided at the start of each semester. Members will be notified as far in advance as possible of any schedule additions and/or changes as the semester progresses. 4.0 Rehearsals 4.1 Location Rehearsals take place at Trinity Episcopal Church, 3901 S Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381. Parking is available in the church lots. 4.2 Time Rehearsals begin promptly on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. with a vocal warm-up and conclude at 9:30 p.m. Attendance is expected for the warm-up as it is an integral part of the vocal development and ensemble sound. Members are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early to sign-in and socialize with fellow TWC members. 4.3 Break A ten minute break near the mid-point of each rehearsal is typically given. 4.4 Announcements Announcements will be made before the break as necessary. 4.5 Guidelines Dress comfortably. Arrive early; please leave plenty of time to be ready to sing at 7:00 p.m. Tend to any TWC business before the rehearsal begins or at the break. Bring a pencil and use it to note all instructions by the Artistic Director. Turn off electronic devices including beeping watches, cell phones, pagers, PDAs or any other electronic device that could disrupt rehearsal. Be considerate of fellow members by not talking during rehearsal. Refrain from wearing any perfume, scented hair spray, cologne, or strong after shave due to sensitivities/allergies of fellow members. 3 P age
4.6 Review of Music Between Rehearsals Familiarization with the music outside of normal rehearsal time is very desirable so that rehearsal time may be dedicated to perfecting quality rather than learning notes for each piece. When available, rehearsal CDs and websites will be provided for members and they are encouraged to use them to augment rehearsals. 4.7 Special Rehearsals Special rehearsals may be called by the Artistic Director if additional performance preparation is needed. These special rehearsals are considered essential to the success of the performance and members are expected to make every effort to attend. 5.0 Dress Rehearsals/Performances 5.1 Dress Rehearsals In addition to the regular weekly rehearsal, one to two dress rehearsals are scheduled during concert week. Dress rehearsal typically takes place at the concert venue with the Artistic Director, pianist, and any other participating musicians. Attendance at dress rehearsals is required. Concert attire is NOT necessary for dress rehearsals. 5.2 Performances Performances are the primary opportunity for TWC to solidify our mission to educate and to evoke passion for choral music within the entire community. 5.3 Pre-Performance Guidelines Wear proper performance attire. Arrive before the call time. Do not wear strong personal scents, etc. Bring music arranged in black folder. Bring minimal personal belongings; security is not guaranteed at each venue. Turn off beeping watches, pagers, cell phones, and other electronic devices. 5.4 During & Post-Performance Guidelines TWC enters and exits the stage by row with music in the upstage hand (away from the audience) and is seated as a group. Talking is not permitted once seated on stage. Follow cues for standing/sitting and opening/closing of music. Focus on the Artistic Director. Turn pages discreetly. Avoid extraneous motion (turning pages while not singing, swaying, touching face, yawning, crossed legs, etc.). Refrain from applauding or foot tapping (even in recognition of a performance). At the performance conclusion, follow the Artistic Director in sitting and standing and in recognition of applause prior to leaving the stage. Return music at the conclusion of the concert following the guidelines given by the Artistic Director unless you have purchased it. 4 P age
5.5 Concert Attire TWC has a concert dress code to create a uniform, professional appearance. 5.5.1 Women No excessive jewelry, piercing(s) or head adornments (bows, hats, etc.). Stud earrings only. Ankle-length, black dress, black skirt. Palazzo pants are acceptable since they are flowing and look like a skirt. Long sleeved, non-sheer top with a modest neckline (undergarments must be unnoticeable). Top may be worn untucked if the hem is square (no shirt-tails). Black shoes and black hose. No reflective details (sequins, rhinestones, beads, metallic decoration, etc.). 5.5.2 Men No excessive jewelry, piercing(s) or head adornments (hats, bandanas etc.). Black Tuxedo jacket and slacks with white tuxedo shirt. Black bow tie and cummerbund. Black dress shoes and black socks. 5.6 Music Folders TWC members are responsible for providing their own performance folder. Music folders can be any size and shape as long as they are black, non-reflective and hide the music from the audience. During the semester there will be at least one opportunity to order and purchase a black folder through TWC. 6.0 Music TWC members will purchase their own music. A numbered set of concert music will be issued for each concert season. The fee will vary in accordance with the cost of the music for a concert. 7.0. Concert Tickets The sale of tickets to our concerts is very important to the economic health of The Woodlands Chorale. For each concert, each Chorale member will be issued 5 tickets to sell. Additional tickets for sale will be available upon request. In addition, each member will be provided 2 complementary tickets. The complementary tickets will be labeled with the letter C. Money for the tickets sold, or the unsold tickets will be due to the ticket coordinator or treasurer of The Woodlands Chorale on or before the dress rehearsal prior to the concert. 5 P age
8.0 TWC Board of Directors TWC Board of Directors is responsible for oversight of the TWC and serves as the voice of the general membership. The Board of Directors works closely with the Artistic Director and is composed of the following positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity, Secretary, Immediate Past President (for one academicyear), Artistic Director, and two Members-at-Large. The Board of Directors meets the first Wednesday of each month and is open to any interested TWC member. A two-year commitment is recommended. TWC Board of Directors 2013-2014 President: Marjorie Russell Vice-President: Rick Ray Treasurer: Leslie Colburn Secretary: Barbara Leary Member at Large: Valerie Woller Member at Large: Mary Dees Member at Large: Glen Egley Artistic Director: Dr. J. David Faber email: marjorie.h.russell@conocophillips.com email: procinsight@gmail.com email: leslie.colburn@att.net email: bleary1@comcast.net email: vlwol@aol.com email: marydees10@yahoo.com email: GEGLEY@hcad.org email: dave.faber@lonestar.edu 6 P age