Welcome to the National Philharmonic Chorale You are part of a talented and diverse group of musicians, under the experienced leadership of Dr. Stan Engebretson and Victoria Gau, and accompanied by Dr. Theodore Guerrant. This handbook is your comprehensive guide to the basics of Chorale membership. It contains policies and procedures for everything from attendance and ticket sale expectations to links to the rehearsal schedule for the year and Chorale directory. Our season will be busy musically and organizationally, with many opportunities to put our non-singing skills to work on the business side of music-making. The Volunteer Roster lists those opportunities and the names of members currently serving in those roles. Please think about where you could lend your expertise, and sign up when the call for help goes out. Welcome to a fantastic year of making great music together! NP Chorale Operations Committee Ruth Faison, Chair Carolyn Chuhta Sara Josey Melissa Lieberman Susan Murray Sarah Wagoner Updated February 2017
REHEARSALS The Chorale schedule is available at: http://www.nationalphilharmonic.org/hottub.aspx. Weekly Weekly rehearsals are mandatory. Tuesdays, 7:30 10 p.m. Strathmore, Room 405 Each week, please: Be on time. We begin promptly at 7:30. Note: If you are late, please minimize the disruption. Stand to the side or in back and wait for a break in singing to take your seat. Check in with your section s Attendance Manager on arrival. Be prepared: Bring your score(s) and pencils. Know the music. Note: Because rehearsal time is limited, individual practice is highly recommended. Recordings, including some recommended by the conductors, are frequently available on YouTube. Learning files for individual voice parts for some pieces will be available on our hottub website. Observe rehearsal etiquette. Concert Week Mandatory dress rehearsals are generally on the afternoon of the concert. Concert dress is not required for dress rehearsals. Additional mandatory rehearsals usually one additional night are held with the orchestra during concert weeks. Please note: Changes in schedule and other important announcements may be communicated at rehearsals or through email during concert weeks. 1
Seating assignments may change to balance sound and account for absences; Per the musicians unit bargaining agreement, no audio or video recording of the orchestra is allowed. All rehearsals are closed to the public. They are for Chorale members only. Observe stage rules. Retreats Members are expected to attend two to three retreats per season. These retreats are extended rehearsals held at a nearby location, usually: Other Rehearsals Saturdays, 10 a.m. 1 p.m. Montgomery College, Rockville Campus 51 Mannakee Street Rockville, MD 20850 Other rehearsals may be scheduled as needed, and members are strongly encouraged to participate. These rehearsals may include: Sectionals to help solidify section s command of notes and unify sound (with every attempt to accommodate section members schedules); Early-bird sessions held by Artistic Staff, generally half an hour before weekly rehearsals (i.e., 7 p.m.), to work through difficult passages; and Emergency rehearsals held by Artistic Staff if ensemble progress is not adequate. 2
ATTENDANCE If you must miss a rehearsal or you will be late, notify your Section Leaders and Attendance Manager. It is your responsibility to master any material you miss. Your Section Leader can provide missed score markings and instructions. If you miss two or more mandatory rehearsals per concert, your Section Leader or Assistant Section Leader may sit near you to assess your progress. He/she may consult with Artistic Staff, who may then ask to hear you sing to evaluate your concert readiness. After three unexplained absences, your Section Leader will make one attempt to contact you by phone and email to determine your intentions. If you later attend a rehearsal, the Artistic Staff may ask to hear you sing to evaluate your concert readiness. If you are sick and possibly contagious, stay home but contact your Section Leader and Attendance Manager. If you are well enough to attend but not sing, please sit in the back to listen and take notes. In bad weather or other emergencies, check your email for rehearsal cancellations and changes. If Strathmore is closed, rehearsal is cancelled. Note: If you are uncomfortable driving to rehearsal, use your best judgment. Notify your Section Leader and Attendance Manager. Your absence will be excused. 3
MEMBERSHIP AND DUES Annual dues for a concert season are $100.00. Dues for members who join mid-season or later are $50. Dues help defray the substantial costs of rehearsing and performing in the Music Center at Strathmore each season. Payment by credit card or by check is due at the beginning of the season and is generally nonrefundable. Members who fail to meet this obligation may be prevented from re-auditioning. Contact a member of the Chorale Operations Committee to address individual special circumstances. Some members are exempt from dues: Full-time college students; Graduate students; and Young professionals who are still establishing themselves financially. If you are in any of these categories, you must report your status to Melissa Lieberman at Melissa.J.Lieberman@gmail.com. Note: All members are expected to participate in ticket sales. 4
TICKET PURCHASES AND SALES All members are expected to sell or purchase tickets as follows: Members: Young professionals: Students: 2 subscriptions/8 individual tickets 4 tickets No sales requirement, but students are encouraged to sell tickets. Student tickets are $10 and must be purchased at the ticket office showing a student ID. The following coupon system is designed to track all members ticket sales requirements and to ensure best pricing for you and your buyers. Members will receive an email containing coupons for $3 off the subscription price of a single ticket, either after paying dues or after joining the Chorale if you are a young professional. Each coupon carries your name and an identifying number to track your ticket sales. Use one coupon per ticket. Coupons can only be used at the National Philharmonic Ticket Office. They are not valid online or by phone. Members who join the Chorale mid-season or later are also expected to participate in ticket sales as follows: Join in January: Join after first concert after winter holidays: 1 subscription/4 individual tickets young professionals: 2 tickets 2 tickets to each remaining concert young professionals: 1 ticket to each remaining concert Members needing special consideration regarding ticket sales should speak privately with Ruth Faison or email her at RWFaison@gmail.com. You are encouraged to sell more than the requirement because it strengthens our organization and it is more fun to sing to a full house! For additional coupons, please contact Katie Tukey at katie@nationalphilharmonic.org. 5
MUSIC AND MUSIC FOLDERS Music: Purchase music by credit card or check from the Chorale at designated times before rehearsals or during breaks. No cash. Black Music Folders: Purchase a black choir folder at www.musicfolder.com or from the Music Distribution Manager. CONCERT DRESS Men Black tuxedo Black socks White tuxedo shirt (no ruffles) Black shoes Black bow-tie Women Black ankle-length concert dress Black stockings Single 18 strand white pearls Black, closed-toe shoes Studs, buttons, or small-hoop earrings Purchase concert dresses at www.stageaccents.com. Click Quick Ship Dresses to find Monarch dress, style #8571. The cost is $64 plus $15 shipping. At the beginning of the season, the Wardrobe Manager will bring sample dresses for women to try on for size before ordering. Members occasionally offer their previously worn dresses for sale. Email general questions to Susanne Villemarette at Villemarette@verizon.net. Email questions about alterations to Nansy Mathews at NMathews301@verizon.net. 6
REHEARSAL & CONCERT ETIQUETTE No fragrance of any kind (perfume, cologne, aftershave, hairspray, etc.). Careful personal hygiene is appreciated. Avoid foods that linger (garlic, onion, etc.). No smoking prior to rehearsals or concerts, especially in concert attire. If you are late, minimize your disruption. Stand to the side or in back and wait for a break in singing to take your seat. Silence all phones and watch alarms prior to concerts and rehearsals. No phones on stage during a concert. Maintain professional performance demeanor on stage during rehearsal and concerts. When the conductor is working with orchestra and soloists, follow along silently in your score. During performance intermission, quiet conversation is permitted on stage, but you are advised to rest your voice, rehydrate, relax muscles, and prepare mentally for the rest of the concert. Do not wave, shout out, or otherwise communicate with audience members while on stage. CONCERT HALL AND STAGE RULES Do not enter the stage or concert hall, including the choral tier and audience seating areas, until we receive the express permission of Strathmore or National Philharmonic staff. The only drink you may have on stage, including in the choral tier, is water in a container with a cap. This is an IATSE union-run stage. Only official IA stagehands are allowed to move stands and chairs. The National Philharmonic has been fined for violating union rules in the past. Note: NP Operations and Production Manager Kyle Schick is listed in the Strathmore-National Philharmonic contract as a temporary stagehand, so if furniture must be moved or a chair must be lifted, ask him to do it. On stage during a concert, you may have only your music in a black music folder and a small, capped water bottle. No purses or other personal belongings are allowed. 7
CHORALE COMMUNICATION AND HOTTUB WEBSITE Please check your email inbox regularly for messages from the conductors, NP Operations and Production Manager Kyle Schick, Melissa Lieberman, and Section Leaders. These messages may include rehearsal notes, publicity materials for upcoming concerts, and information about sectionals, NPC social events, and more. Hottub The NPC website www.nationalphilharmonic.org/hottub.aspx provides the following resources: Rehearsal and concert schedules; Information about how to pay dues and buy music, folders, and women s concert dresses; Information about ticket sales requirements and how to request coupons; Names and contact information for Attendance Managers and Section Leaders; Electronic music learning files and handouts on voice building; Volunteer Roster and opportunities; National Philharmonic Chorale Handbook; An annex for recent news and announcements; Chorale Member Directory (password protected) for official use only; A new directory password is emailed to members at the beginning of each season. If you do not have the email, contact Melissa Lieberman at Melissa.J.Lieberman@gmail.com for the current password. To update or remove your information from the directory, contact Melissa Lieberman or Kyle Schick at kyle@nationalphilharmonic.org. NPC Yahoo Group Note: The directory is not to be used for group emails, solicitations, or any other unauthorized use. The NPC Yahoo Group is for unofficial communications about Chorale-related or musical matters such as extra tickets for sale, practice groups, outside concerts, carpooling, etc. Email Ruth Faison at RWFaison@gmail.com or Katherine Schnorrenberg at KSchnorrenberg@gmail.com for instructions on how to join the NPC Yahoo Group. 8
VOLUNTEERING The Chorale depends on volunteers for a wide range of tasks, big and small, to help make our success as a group possible. Opportunities include: Mentoring a new Chorale member; Helping set up room for rehearsals or Saturday retreats; Assisting National Philharmonic staff with periodic mailings; Doing publicity work for upcoming concerts; Conducting docent tours at the Music Center at Strathmore; and Being an on-call volunteer. Melissa Lieberman, our Volunteer Coordinator, occasionally emails requests for ad hoc jobs such as driving a soloist to a rehearsal or helping with logistics at one of our summer institutes. Peruse the Volunteer Roster posted on the hottub website to see all the volunteer positions and find something to match your talents, skills, and time available. Or let us know if you have a special talent or resource you would like to share with the group. For general questions or to sign up to volunteer, contact Melissa Lieberman at Melissa.J.Lieberman@gmail.com. 9
THE NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC SINGERS The National Philharmonic Singers ( the Singers ) is a virtuoso chamber choir that specializes in works suited for a smaller ensemble, with accompaniment or a capella. Its repertoire ranges from the 15th to the 21st century, including premieres of new compositions by local composers. The Singers perform two to three concerts per year, including outreach concerts in the community. Membership is drawn largely from the Chorale and auditions are held periodically to fill existing vacancies. Rehearsals are held regularly on Sunday evenings. Contact Chorale Artistic Director Stan Engebretson at DrStanE@mac.com or Associate Conductor Victoria Gau at victoria@nationalphilharmonic.org for more information. 10
NPC SECTION LEADERS & ASSISTANT SECTION LEADERS SECTION SECTION LEADERS ASSISTANT SECTION LEADERS Soprano I Soprano II Alto I Alto II Tenor Bass I Bass II Katherine Nelson-Tracey KatherineNelsonTracey@gmail.com 703-590-2147 Mary Bentley spelledlikethecar@yahoo.com 240-476-4210 Melissa Lieberman Melissa.J.Lieberman@gmail.com 240-620-1429 Sara Josey SMJosey@aol.com 301-526-7035 (c) Wayne Meyer WLMeyerMD@gmail.com 301-758-6306 Kent Mikkelsen Mikkelsen.K@ei.com 301-946-8901 Edward Rejuney ERejuney@gmail.com 240-988-6087 Caitlin Garry Soprano176@gmail.com 301-775-8716 Cathlin Tully cathlintully@yahoo.com 202-415-0294 Martha Jacoby Krieger MJKduck@hotmail.com 301-758-5018 Sarah Wagoner SJWagoner@gmail.com 571-225-8215 Ruth Faison RWFaison@gmail.com 301-873-6768 John Milberg John.Milberg@gmail.com 301-655-0795 Bill Josey BillJosey@aol.com 240-475-6416 (c) NPC ATTENDANCE MANAGERS SECTION NAME EMAIL PHONE Soprano I Joanna Lam JostLam@gmail.com 202-380-7628 Soprano II Sharon Majchrzak-Hong Sharon.SFM@gmail.com 301-452-7653 Alto I Lisa Rovin lisa.rovin@gmail.com Alto II Sarah Gilchrist skgilchrist@yahoo.com 301-796-4721 (o) 301-587-3680 (h) 202-725-2259 (c) 202-333-2125 (h) Tenor Jane Lyle JLyle4@verizon.net 301-213-7536 Bass Robert Gerard RHGerard@gmail.com 240-328-5134 11
CHORALE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE NAME EMAIL PHONE Ruth Faison, Chair Tenor Carolyn Chuhta Alto I Sara Josey Alto II Melissa Lieberman Alto I Susan Murray Alto I Sarah Wagoner Alto II RWFaison@gmail.com 202-380-7628 CAChuhta@gmail.com 301-602-1953 SMJosey@aol.com 301-526-7035 (c) Melissa.J.Lieberman@gmail.com 240-620-1429 SMurray82@gmail.com 301-983-9041 301-807-2437 SJWagoner@gmail.com 571-225-8215 KEY VOLUNTEERS ROLE NAME EMAIL PHONE Ticket Sales Information Ruth Faison RWFaison@gmail.com 202-380-7628 Volunteer Coordinator Melissa Lieberman Melissa.J.Lieberman@gmail.com 240-620-1429 Wardrobe Manager Suzanne Villemarette Villemarette@verizon.net 301-983-9041 301-807-2437 Music Distribution Manager Jan Schiavone JanSchiavone@verizon.net 571-225-8215 Click here for complete Volunteer Roster. 12
NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC LEADERSHIP AND STAFF Piotr Gajewski Music Director & Conductor Artistic Staff Stan Engebretson Chorale Artistic Director Victoria Gau Associate Conductor & Director of Education Theodore Guerrant Chorale Accompanist Leanne Ferfolia President Katie Tukey Director of Development Office and Administrative Staff Deborah Birnbaum Director of Marketing and PR Kyle Schick Operations and Production Manager Eliana Schenk Music Librarian Contacting the National Philharmonic Ticket Office: 301-581-5100 By mail or in person: National Philharmonic The Music Center at Strathmore 5301 Tuckerman Lane North Bethesda, MD 20852-3385 Office Hours: Monday Friday, 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Telephone: 301-493-9283 Fax: 301-493-9284 By Email: office@nationalphilharmonic.org Public Website: http://www.nationalphilharmonic.org Chorale Private Website: http://www.nationalphilharmonic.org/hottub.aspx 13