BRISBANE CHORALE HANDBOOK This handbook outlines the expectations of membership of the Brisbane Chorale and provides helpful information.
1 CONTENTS Page Welcome... 2 Website... 2 Communication... 2 Professional music staff... 3 Auditions (requirements)... 4 Membership a) Commitment... b) Expectations of membership... c) Attendance... d) Apologies... e) Leave of absence... f) Supporting Associate Membership... g) Guest chorister... 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 Membership subscription fees... 6 Rehearsals... 6 Music issue and care of music rules... 6 Concert dress... 7 Concert etiquette... 7 Ticket sales... 8 Management of the Chorale... 8 Acknowledgement... 9 Current Management Committee... Page insert
2 The Brisbane Chorale welcomes you! The Brisbane Chorale is Queensland s leading symphonic choir and is recognised for its outstanding choral performance since it was formed in 1983 by Dr Roy Wales, then Director of the Queensland Conservatorium. The Chorale continues to have a close relationship with the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, but since 1997 has been an incorporated association, operating under its own constitution and under the administration of an elected Management Committee (see page 8 & insert). The experienced, professional music staff of the Chorale (Music Director and Accompanist) are appointed by the Management Committee. The Chorale now celebrates over 25 years of delivering committed choral performances in South East Queensland. We perform with major orchestras in the city and are privileged to perform regularly with The Queensland Orchestra. The Chorale s repertoire is broad and extensive. Highlights have included Australian premières, and two world premières of works commissioned by the Chorale Child Sightings by Matthew Orlovich (2002) and Philip Bracanin s Symphony No 2 (1995). The Chorale has since recorded this latter work for ABC Classics with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO), conducted by Werner Andreas Albert. Our major aims are two-fold: we strive to perform as a symphonic choir at an international level of excellence; and we have a duty to promote the performance and appreciation of choral music. To that end we delight in performing the great works of the choral repertoire. We also enjoy the challenge of performing new works and exploring the exciting music of our own time. We hope that your musical journey with us will be rewarding, inspirational and fun. We encourage you to consider how you can contribute your talents to the Brisbane Chorale. Committee members are keen to hear your suggestions and comments. This Handbook is designed to assist you in understanding the expectations of being a member of the Brisbane Chorale. We urge you to read it carefully. Should you have questions, please ask any Committee member for clarification. Welcome, have fun and enjoy! OUR WEBSITE www.brisbanechorale.org.au For more information about the Chorale, see our website where you will find: our story Brisbane Chorale 25 years, our biography, our concert performances, members information (including the latest rehearsal schedule), photo gallery, contact details, leave of absence form, and more. COMMUNICATION To keep everyone informed of changing arrangements or special items of information, our main form of communication is by email. Should you not have email facilities available please notify the Membership Secretary who will endeavour to make other arrangements. Members are encouraged to check the website periodically for updates.
3 PROFFESSIONAL MUSIC STAFF MUSIC DIRECTOR EMILY COX has earned a reputation as one of the leading figures in Australian choral music. She has been Music Director of the Brisbane Chorale since 2003. She is also founding Music Director of Canticum Chamber Choir (which represented Australia at the 7th World Symposium on Choral Music in Kyoto, Japan, 2005), Choir Director at St Mary's Anglican Church, Kangaroo Point, and Lecturer (part-time) in choral studies at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University where she teaches conducting and directs the Conservatorium Chamber Choir. As a conductor and chorus master with a diverse repertoire, Emily Cox s work is in demand by professional performing arts companies. Through the innovative repertoire she explores with all of her ensembles, she has introduced Brisbane audiences to many unusual and beautiful works. Emily Cox is a graduate of Dartmouth College (USA) and the Queensland Conservatorium and has taken numerous educational opportunities overseas with noted specialists in her field. She is known nationally for her work as a festival and workshop director, adjudicator and choral educator for all age groups. ACCOMPANIST JUSTINE FAVELL is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music and a Graduate Diploma in Piano performance. Since 1995, Justine has pursued her interest in the specialised area of accompanying choral music. She is principal accompanist for the Brisbane Chorale and Brisbane Birralee Voices, and freelances with The Queensland Orchestra. She has accompanied the Brisbane Chorale since 1995. Justine enjoys conducting various school choirs. She also conducts the Hillbrook Chorale which is an adult community choir, and is part of the conducting team at the award-winning Birralee Voices. We just happen to think that Justine is the best and most accomplished choral accompanist in Brisbane.
4 AUDITIONS Membership is open to singers of post-secondary age (usually 17 years and above) who can sing with good intonation, well produced, pleasant tone quality and who display good musicianship. To join the Brisbane Chorale each singer has a private audition with the Music Director. The audition is a relaxed and friendly time of around 10-15 minutes duration. It consists of vocal exercises to determine voice type and range, aural and rhythm tests and a short piece of sightsinging. Although no prepared piece of music is required for the audition, the Music Director may ask you to sing a passage of a well known song of your choice. Although a reasonable standard of sight-singing is expected, if you have a good voice and the ability to pick up parts quickly, the Music Director will take a lack of sight-singing confidence into consideration. The Music Director may re-assess every Chorale member every three years or as the need arises. Chorale members rejoining the choir after a prolonged absence may be re-assessed by the Music Director to ensure correct placement in the choir. MEMBERSHIP a) Commitment The Brisbane Chorale is an auditioned choir and membership is regarded as valuable and a privilege. The standards set by the Music Director are high to enable us to maintain our reputation as a leading symphonic choir. The Chorale s concert programming depends on the commitment and availability of each member. Contracts for engagements with symphony orchestras are generally signed around one year ahead and have to commit a balanced and quantified number of singers. Because of these long term contractual obligations, the Chorale must be able to rely on each member to fulfil those obligations. b) Expectations of membership In joining the Brisbane Chorale it is understood that you have made a contractual commitment to the organisation that includes: 1) singing in every scheduled concert for the year, not just singing selected works as they appeal; 2) payment of annual fees; 3) regular attendance at rehearsals; 4) doing other practice or homework as necessary outside scheduled rehearsal times. Rehearsal CDs are made available for a very low cost for most concert repertoire. This has proven to be of immense help for studying, practising and listening at home or in the car; 5) purchasing or hiring the required concert performance attire; 6) participation in ticket sales and fundraising events; 7) willingness to assist with production or administration as the Committee may request. In return, the Brisbane Chorale provides you with a high standard of concert performance, the opportunity to cultivate and expand your choral singing skills and to strive for a high level of musical excellence in a supportive and welcoming atmosphere.
5 c) Attendance Regular attendance at all rehearsals, including dress rehearsals, is essential. The Chorale depends on every member for vocal mix, balance and consolidation of learning. Each one of you matters! An attendance register is available at every rehearsal for choir members to sign in. If you are unable to sing owing to a minor illness, you are nevertheless encouraged to sit in on the rehearsal and mark your score. Should you have to miss a rehearsal completely, see Apologies below. (See also Leave of Absence below). If three rehearsals are missed (even for the most valid of reasons) before any concert, the Music Director may, at her discretion, audition the chorister on the materials being rehearsed to assess preparedness to sing in the concert. Repeated absenteeism may result in membership being reevaluated. If you are not able to sing a concert performance or if you will be away for a prolonged period, it is courteous to discuss this with the Music Director at the earliest possible time. In any case you must communicate this in advance to the Membership Secretary and complete a Leave of Absence form (see below). d) Apologies Should you have to miss a rehearsal because of illness, emergency or unavoidable business commitments, please put in an apology with the Membership Secretary via email or phone [see insert page]. e) Leave of absence If you are taking leave of more than one rehearsal, you will need to complete and return a Leave of Absence form (available from the Membership Secretary or on the website). Absences impact the vocal mix and seating plans, and ultimately our performances, so it is important that we keep accurate track of them. The completion of a Leave of Absence form will be of significant benefit to the Music Director and Membership Secretaries. f) Supporting Associate Membership Members taking a prolonged period of leave should note that they will not be eligible to receive any Chorale emails, newsletters or other correspondence unless membership fees are paid. If you are taking prolonged leave and wish to be kept in the loop throughout your leave and continue to receive the usual information, we have created a Supporting Associate Membership category with a smaller fee of $30. If circumstances change and you can be available to sing one or two concerts during the year, you could participate on the same pro rata fee basis as any other visiting singer. Alternatively, if you rejoin during the year, the pro rata fee for the period remaining may be reduced by the value of the Supporting Associate Membership fee paid. Chorale members rejoining the choir after a prolonged absence may be re-assessed by the Music Director to ensure correct placement in the choir. g) Guest chorister From time to time the Music Director may need to invite a guest chorister to join the choir for a particular concert. Guest choristers may be liable to pay a fee to sing in a performance to assist in the costs of rehearsal and preparation. Guest choristers perform at the invitation of the Music Director and the Committee.
6 MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION FEES The Brisbane Chorale is not supported by funding from Government or other external sources. It relies on finances derived from annual membership subscription fees and revenue which may come from performance engagements. We are registered with the Australian Register of Cultural Organisations and hence are eligible to receive tax deductible donations. Many Chorale members have made donations over and above the annual membership subscription, and there have been some substantial generous donations from members and keen supporters of the Chorale. The Membership fees, being our primary source of income, have to cover our basic operating costs. The level of fees is kept under review and increased annually to keep abreast of cost of living. The annual membership fee is on the Brisbane Chorale website: www.brisbanechorale.org.au Payment of membership fees is due at the first rehearsal. Music will not be issued until fees are paid. In cases of special need, the Treasurer (see insert page) is happy to discuss arrangements for payment of the full annual fee in instalments. For members joining during the year a pro rata fee is calculated. REHEARSALS Rehearsals are held each Wednesday evening from 7.30 to 10.00pm, usually in the Basil Jones Orchestra Hall at the Queensland Conservatorium at South Bank. Parking is available nearby at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre Car Parks or at the Brisbane Convention Centre Car Park. Choir members are asked to be at rehearsal at 7.15pm to enable everyone to be seated ready to begin rehearsal promptly at 7.30pm. In addition to regular scheduled Wednesday evening rehearsals, further rehearsals will be required in the lead-up to a concert. There may also be special rehearsals and workshops. You will be given as much advance notice as possible about these so you can make appropriate arrangements to ensure you can attend. A rehearsal schedule is issued at the start of each year for members planning, and amendments will be issued throughout the year as needed. The up-to-date schedule can always be found on the Chorale website (see page 2). All members are requested to bring soft black (2B) pencils and erasers to every rehearsal so that music annotations can be made. Please, as a consideration for your fellow choristers, do not use strong perfumes or after-shave. Many choristers are sensitive to such odours and can become distressed. MUSIC ISSUE & CARE OF MUSIC RULES Music is distributed by the Chorale at the beginning of each new concert rehearsal period, and each copy is numbered to facilitate ownership tracking. You are responsible for the music signed out to you and you are expected to maintain it in good condition. This applies to photocopied material as
7 well, unless the Librarian instructs differently. This valuable music is often the property of other organisations and we are responsible for its maintenance and its timely return. Use only soft (2B) pencil to mark your music. Do not punch holes in photocopied music unless instructed that you may. The use of coloured highlighter pens and biro is strictly forbidden. To keep music in good condition, scores should be kept in a folder or file, away from water bottles and coffee and not carried loosely in bags. We ask that you provide yourself with a suitable folder. Erase all your markings before returning your score unless otherwise advised. Usually music must be returned at the first rehearsal after a concert. In case of illness or any unforeseen event, you can return the music by mail to The Librarian, Brisbane Chorale, PO Box 5932, West End Q 4101. In the event of lost or damaged music scores please advise the librarian as soon as possible. In the event of lost or damaged music scores, or scores returned late or not returned at all, you will be charged the cost of repair or replacement and/or any extra rental charges incurred. The issue of new music is contingent upon paying for lost music. If you have music issued and are unable to sing in a concert performance please organise to return your music before the concert where possible. We do recognise that accidental damage to music can occur despite the best intentions of choristers. There is a generally recognised policy among lending organisations, eg. choirs and libraries, regarding payment for lost or damaged resources. The Chorale adheres to that policy for music that it hires from others and music that it lends to others (including its own members). The purchase of music scores is an expensive business, it is a choir asset and further, damaged scores cannot legitimately be hired out to other choirs. CONCERT DRESS The Chorale has a standard concert dress which is detailed on a separate information sheet and announced to members before each concert. Any questions about dress should be directed to our Concert Dress Coordinator (see insert page). Ladies Ladies concert dress (as per information sheet) is produced by the Chorale and is to be purchased at a cost to be advised. It is worn with black stockings and black closed shoes. Men Black dinner suit, white shirt, black bow tie, black socks and dress shoes. OR for some casual concerts black shirt, black trousers and no tie, may be required. CONCERT ETIQUETTE The Chorale has always prided itself on its professional approach to concert demeanour. The Concert Manager (see insert page) is responsible for organisation in this regard.
8 Chorale members are required to obtain a suitable black folder for performance use. The folders are held by the chorister s side in the hand facing the audience when entering and exiting the concert platform. As performers we always strive to act in a professional manner. During orchestral rehearsals any complaints, queries or suggestions are to be raised in the breaks with committee members or the Chorale Music Director, who will discuss these as necessary with the conductor. No extraneous talking is permitted during such rehearsals. No talking is allowed on the concert platform. Many concerts are recorded and/or amplified. Microphones are very sensitive and can pick up and broadcast any conversation amongst choristers. Sits and stands for the concert will be nominated by the conductor in advance of the performance. And, as mentioned under REHEARSALS, please, as a consideration for your fellow choristers, do not use strong perfumes or after-shave. Many choristers are sensitive to such odours and can become distressed. TICKET SALES Income from ticket sales at our own concerts makes the difference between a profit and a loss. Poor tickets sales have an immense impact on our income and consequently on our ability to produce the kind of concerts we enjoy performing and wish to present. The Chorale depends on all members to make a sincere effort to sell tickets to concerts. All concerts are advertised, but surveys indicate that the vast majority of our audience members at present come because they know a choir member. Members are asked to do their best to sell as many tickets as possible to each concert. Posters and flyers are produced before each concert, plus background information on the work to be performed. We encourage you to use these materials to assist in promoting concerts by any method that seems appropriate including email, putting up posters at your workplace, talking with family, friends, etc. MANAGEMENT OF THE CHORALE The Brisbane Chorale is an incorporated body under the Queensland Associations Incorporation Act 1981, operating under its own registered constitution. Under that constitution, an elected Management Committee is responsible for the operation of the Chorale. The election is held at the annual general meeting of members (before 31 March each year). The elected members are: President, Secretary, Treasurer, Concert Manager, two Membership Secretaries, and two General Members. The Committee can appoint an additional number of members, as required, to fulfil other duties such as Concert Dress Coordinator, Music Librarian, Newsletter Editor, Website Manager and special project managers.
9 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Brisbane Chorale acknowledges the generous support of the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, particularly the provision of rehearsal and storage space. The Brisbane Chorale is a member of the Australian National Choral Association