newburyport choral society handbook contents ... it rests upon a common devotion to the composer’s...
TRANSCRIPT
ContentsWelcome to the Newburyport Choral Society ......................................................................................................... 2
About the Newburyport Choral Society .................................................................................................................. 3
NCS Contact Information ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Membership Policies ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Members Are Important ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Registration ............................................................................................................................................................... 4
Membership Fees ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Staying Current ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Publicity Releases ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Musical Proficiency .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Rehearsal Information ................................................................................................................................................. 5
Rehearsal Protocol ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Rehearsal Attendance .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Rehearsal Cancellation Policy ................................................................................................................................ 6
Rehearsal Guidelines ............................................................................................................................................... 6
NCS Ticket Sale Policy ................................................................................................................................................ 7
Additional Ticket Transactions .............................................................................................................................. 7
Prepaid Tickets (Will-Call) ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Complimentary and Discounted Tickets .............................................................................................................. 7
Concerts ......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Dress Rehearsal ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
Concert Dress ........................................................................................................................................................... 8
Concert Etiquette ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
Concert Parking ........................................................................................................................................................ 8
Post-Concert Receptions ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Newburyport Choral Society Punch (Secret recipe!) .......................................................................................... 9
NCS Sponsorship Programs ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Sponsorship Ticket Allocation ............................................................................................................................. 10
NCS Endowment Fund ......................................................................................................................................... 10
Advertising in the Concert Program ................................................................................................................... 10
Educator PDP ............................................................................................................................................................. 10
WelcometotheNewburyportChoralSocietyWearepleasedthatyouhavechosentojoinourorganization,andwelookforwardtosharingthejoyofcreatinggreatmusictogether.WhenyoujointheNewburyportChoralSociety,apromiseismadetoyou:Youwillhavetheopportunitytosingsomeoftheworld’smostbelovedmusicunderthedirectionofanexceptionalleader,andyouwillhavethechancetoperformwithsomeofthefinestsoloistsandmusiciansinthearea.Inexchange,youmakeapromisetotheChoralSociety:Tofullyparticipateinallrehearsalsandperformances,tohelppromoteourconcerts,andtocontributeyourtimeandtalentthroughvolunteeropportunities.Bykeepingthesepromisestoeachother,ourchoruswillcontinuetogrowandsucceedincountlessanddiverseways.Ifweremaindedicatedtolearning,dedicatedtothemusic,anddedicatedtoeachother,thepossibilitiesareendless!
Of all the arts music is the most linked with community of expression. This meaning of music is somehow most open to the amateur musician, and nowhere does it find its expression so fully among people who sing together. It rests upon a common devotion to the composer’s utterance and a mutual respect for the personal dignity of fellow workers.
-Robert Shaw
Thesoulrisestothemusic’sinvitation.Sweetsoundsandmellowharmoniesliftthespiritoutofitself,andonceagaintheheartwarmstothenew---yetold–calltocometoaplaceofrefreshmentandwonder.
Exhilaration---joyatthetask---theeffortandconcentration,allcombineinthejoiningofsingerandcomposer.
---LorraineCullenNCSMember
AbouttheNewburyportChoralSociety
ThepurposeoftheSocietyistooffersacredandsecularmusicalperformancesfortheculturalenrichmentofNewburyportandsurroundingcommunities. –NCSConstitution
TheNewburyportChoralSocietyisanon-profitorganizationfoundedin1934,thoughitsancestrycanbetracedbacktootherlocalchoralgroupswhichwereactiveinthe1800s.Wetypicallypresenttwoconcertsperseason;thefirstisinDecemberandoffersmusicoftheseasoninadditiontooneormorechoralmasterpieces.Thesecondisperformedinthespringandfrequentlyfeaturesoneofthegreatchoralmasterpieces.Concertsareoftenaccompaniedbyaprofessionalorchestraandfeatureprofessionalsoloists.WealsoholdanannualSummerSingwhichisopentothepublic.TheChoralSocietyisgovernedbyaBoardofDirectorselectedbythemembershipandwhoserveonavoluntarybasis.TheBoardgenerallymeetsmonthly.ThesemeetingsareopentoanyactivememberoftheSociety;howeveranyonewishingtoattendshouldmakearrangementswiththepresidentatleastoneweekpriortothemeeting.ThebasicoperatingproceduresofthesocietyarespecifiedintheConstitution
NCSContactInformationNewburyportChoralSociety• Box92,Newburyport,MA01950Phoneusat:(978)462-0650E---mail:[email protected]–MembersOnlySectionVisit the NCS Website: www.newburyportchoralsociety.org
ToaccesstheMembers---onlysectionofthewebsite,youwillneedtocheckwithyourSectionLeaderortheITDirectorfortheUsernameandthePassword.Thisinformationwillbeupdatedandannouncedeachsemester.
MembershipPoliciesMembersAreImportantNCSisavolunteer,non-profitorganizationandrequiresagreatdealoftime,dedication,andcooperationtofunctionandsucceed.EverymemberisexpectedtoparticipateinvolunteeropportunitieswithinNCS,wheneverpossible.WearealwaysseekingnewfundsandopportunitiestoensureNCS’continuedgrowthandasvolunteersyourhelpiscritical.Therearevolunteeropportunitiestosellticketsandads,solicitdonationsandsponsorships,orbecomeanindividualsponsoryourself.Youcanjoininfundraisingefforts,helpwithphysicalsetupforconcerts,distributeposters,serveatreceptions,donaterefreshmentsforourpatrons,actasaSectionLeader,orserveontheBoardofDirectors.Theopportunitiesarevariedandtheworknever-ending.ForthosewhoareinterestedinbecomingaBoardmember,pleasecontactanycurrentBoardmemberandexpressyourinterest.AnominatingcommitteeisformedeachspringtogatherthenamesofmembersinterestedinworkingontheBoardandelectionsareheldattheannualmeetinginthespring.
Registration§ Thefirstthreeweeksofeachsemesterareregistrationweeks.
MembershipFees§ Duesarepayableat/orbeforeregistration.§ Thecostofdues,music,andticketscanbefoundontheregistrationform.§ Duesmayberefundedifterminationofmembershipoccursonorbeforerehearsalweekthree.§ Duesarewaivedforfull---timestudents.§ MusicpurchasedfromNCSmaynotbereturnedforarefund.§ Eachsingerisresponsibleforpurchasingtwoconcertticketseachseason,whicharepaidforin
advancebyrehearsalweekfour.Thisamountisnon-refundableafterrehearsalweekthree.Inadditionmembersareexpectedtoassistwiththesaleofconcerttickets.
§ Undercircumstancesoffinancialneed,anyofthemembershipfeesmentionedabovemaybewaivedatthediscretionoftheNCSExecutiveBoard.Requestsshouldbemadeinwriting.Thisinformationiskeptstrictlyconfidential.
StayingCurrent
§ Achorus-wideannouncement,NewsofNote,ise-mailedeachweektoeveryonewhohasprovidedavalide-mailaddress.Printedcopiesoftheannouncementsareprovidedatweeklyrehearsalsforthosememberswhodonothaveaccesstoe-mail.
§ Currentandpastweeks’announcementsmayalsobeaccesseddirectlyfromtheNCSwebsiteintheMemberssection.
§ Abindercontainingpastweeks’announcementsisavailableatrehearsals.§ ItistheresponsibilityofeachmembertokeepinformedofNCSnewsthroughweekly
announcements,emails,printedcopy,verbalannouncements,phone,NCSwebsite,andtheMembershipHandbook.
§ Alldates,timesandlocationsofrehearsalandperformancevenuesarelistedonthecalendar,whichisdistributedeachsemester.
PublicityReleases§ FromtimetotimeNCSupdatesadvertisingmaterialswithphotographsofthechorusanditsmembers.
Ifanyonedoesnotwishtheirpicturetoappearinmediaphotographsorvideos,pleasecommunicateyourwishesinwritingtothePresident.
§ Allcontactwiththenewsmedia,includingletterstoeditorialstaff,mustbeclearedthroughtheNCSPresident.
MusicalProficiency
§ NCSisanon-auditionedchorus;however,allmembersareexpectedtobeabletomatchpitches.
§ Avocalcheckforvoicerangeplacementisrequiredfornewmembers.
§ IfasingerisfoundtohavedifficultymatchingpitchoradrasticchangeinhisorhermusicianshipisnoticedbyeitherthemusicdirectororsectionleadertobeaffectingthequalityofthemusicalproductofNCS,thenthefollowingstepsmaybetakenatthediscretionofthemusicdirector:
§ Amentormaybeassignedtoprovideadditionalguidance
§ Thesingermaybeaskedtovocalizeand/orsingmusicfromtheupcomingconcertprogramforthemusicdirectorand/orsectionleaderpriortoconcertparticipation
§ Thesingermaybeaskedtotakevoicelessons,attendmusicclasses,and/orothereducationalalternativesinordertocontinuetoparticipate.
§ Asalastresort,themusicdirector,inconsultationwiththesectionleaderandexecutivecommittee,mayrecommendthatthesingerbeaskednottoreturnasasingingmemberofNCS.
RehearsalInformationRehearsalsareheldonMondaysfrom7:15pmto9:30pmattheBellevilleCongregationalChurchParishHall,300HighStreetinNewburyport.Rehearsalsbeginwithavocalwarm-upandthereisashortbreakforrefreshmentsandannouncementsapproximatelyhalfwaythrough.Membersareexpectedtoremainfortheentirerehearsalunlessunusualcircumstancespreventit,inwhichcaseyoushouldnotifyyourSectionLeaderpriortothestartofrehearsal.DuringconcertweekthereareadditionalrehearsalsontheSaturdaybeforetheconcert,andontheThursdaydressrehearsal(concertdressisnotrequired),withtheorchestraandsoloists.AttendanceisrequiredattheserehearsalsandanyabsencemusthavepriorapprovalfromthePresidentorMusicDirector.
RehearsalProtocol§ Membersareexpectedtositwiththeirappropriatevoicesections.
§ Allcell---phonesandaudiblepagersmustbesilencedduringrehearsal.
§ Itisimportantthatwerefrainfromtalkingwhiletherehearsalisinprogress.
§ Eachweekatrehearsalvolunteersareneededtobringonegallonjuice/waterforthebreak.Aweeklysign-upsheetcanbefoundatthejuicetable.YoudoNOTneedtobringcups;thesewillbesupplied.Attherehearsalbreak,volunteerssetupandservethedrinks,thencleanupafterward,takinghomeanycontainersof remaining juice.This isagreatway tohelpoutand tomeet fellowsingers.
§ SensitivitytoScents:Somemembersofthechorushaveacutesensitivitiestovariousscents.Weaskthatyoumakeeveryefforttoavoidtheuseofanyfragranceswhenyouattendrehearsalsandparticularlyatconcerts.Thisincludestheuseofscenteddryersheets,hairspray,allperfumes,aftershave,handandbodylotions,andevensomedeodorants.Beacaring,responsiblesingingneighbor;use“fragrancefree”products.
§ Visitorsarewelcomeatrehearsals,butmustbeintroducedtotheNCSPresidentorMusicDirectorpriortothestartofrehearsal.Visitorsmaynotparticipateintherehearsalandareaskedtositinadesignatedareaapartfromthechorus.
RehearsalAttendance§ Atotalofthreeunapprovedabsencesareallowedeachsemesterincludingregistrationweeks.
§ Iftherearemorethanthreeabsencesduringasemester,amembermaybeaskedtosingselectedconcertmaterialbeforetheMusicCommitteetodetermineeligibilityforperformances.
§ Attendanceistrackedbysignupsheets;pleaseremembertosignineachweek,startingonweekoneoftheterm.Checkyournameforaccuracyontheattendancesheettoensureitwillappearcorrectlyintheconcertprogram.Noteanychangesonthesigninsheet.
RehearsalCancellationPolicyIncaseofinclementweatheroranyotherunforeseencircumstancesrequiringustocancelarehearsalorotherevent,memberswillbeinformedby5:00P.M.ofthatdaythroughthefollowingchannels:
E---Mail: Achorus---widenoticewillbesentviae---mailtoallthosewhohavegivenusavalide---mailaddress.
Buddy---Up: Ifyoudonothaveaccesstoe-mail,makearrangementstobeintouchwithsomeonewhodoes.
Phone: CalltheNewburyportChoralSocietyat(978)462-0650forarecordedmessage.
NCSWebsite: Gotowww.newburyportchoralsociety.orgwhereanoticewillbepostedontheMemberssection.
Weallknowhowunpredictableourweathercanbe,andweknowourownlimitations.Anytimetheweathermakessafedrivingorwalkingquestionable,whetherwecancelornot,pleasefollowyourowngoodjudgmentaboutwhethertocomeoutornot.
RehearsalGuidelinesChoralsingingisacommunalart.Throughrehearsal,performance,andjointartisticexperienceweachievewhatcannotbeachievedalone.Thecommitmentofeachmembervocally,personally,andacademicallyineachrehearsalandperformancedeterminesthesuccessoftheensembleandthebenefittotheindividual.Therefore,eachmemberisencouragedandexpectedtocontributethatwhichmakeshimorheranindividualwithvaluablemusicalexperienceandknowledge.Weareenrichedasanensemblebecauseofourdiversity.GeorgeCase,MusicDirector
Herearesomenecessarypractices:
v Listenv Watch!
v SingWell!v Knowthemusic!v Workonyourown!v Markyourmusic!v
Webelieve:v …inmakingmusicfromthefirstrehearsal.Lifeistooshorttobeanythinglessthanmusicalat
alltimes.
v …inincrementalgrowth.Littlebylittlewewillgrowandattainandaccomplish–throughoutaconcert,throughoutaseason,andthroughoutmanyyearstogether.
v …inworkingtogether.TheMusicDirectorwillgiveyouthetoolsandwillhelpyou.Inreturnyoumustworkhard.Themusicrequiresthisofusall.
v …thatmusicismorethantherightnotesandtherightrhythmsattherighttime–thatitisthesoulandtheheartofeachindividual.
NCSTicketSalePolicyTicketavailabilitywillbedeterminedforeachperformancebasedonthevenueandseatingcapacitytoensurethatallpatronsareaccommodated.
§ NCSticketswillbeavailableforpurchaseatrehearsalsapproximately6weeksbeforetheconcert.
§ TheMondayofconcertweekisthelastdayticketswillbesoldinternallypriortotheconcert.Saturdayticketsaleswilltakeplacebeforethestartofrehearsalandwillnotbesoldduringthebreak.
Note:Correctpaymentamountisrequestedaschangeisnotavailable.
AdditionalTicketTransactions§ Additionaltickettransactionsmaybemadethrough:
§ NCSE---mail:[email protected]§ NCSPhoneLine:(978)462---0650§ NCSWebsite:www.newburyportchoralsociety.org§ TicketOutlets:NBPTChamberofCommerce,Jabberwocky,TheBookRack(NBPT),StarbirdJewelers
(Amesbury),Conley’sDrugStore(Ipswich).Intheeventoutletshaverunoutofticketspatronswillbedirectedtoothersalesoptions.TicketsmaybepurchasedonlineviatheNCSwebsiteoratthedooronthedayofeachperformance,ifavailable.
PrepaidTickets(Will---Call)§ NCSmembersmayplaceprepaidticketsonthe“Will-CallList”forpickupatthedooronthedayofa
performance.§ Requestsforinclusiononthe“Will-CallList”shouldbemadebytheThursdayrehearsaltheweekofthe
performance.Laterequestswillbeaccepteduptotwentyfourhourspriortotheperformance.§ Toplaceticketsonthe“Will-CallList”placethepre-paidticketsinanenvelopewiththenameofthe
individualpickinguptheticketsatthedoor,thetotalnumberofticketstobeheld,theconcertdayandtheNCSmember’sname.(Example:WillCallList:JenJones/4Saturdaytickets;NCS:PaulSmith)ThisshouldbecompletedbyThursdaybeforetheconcert.
§ OutletsareinstructedtoreferpatronstoNCSandarenotencouragedtoplaceticketsonthe“Will-Call List”.
ComplimentaryandDiscountedTickets
§ AllcomplimentaryanddiscountedticketsrequireNCSBoardapprovalpriortothereleaseofthetickets.(Ifyouhaveanyquestionsabouttheticketsellingpolicy,pleaseseetheConcertManager.)
ConcertsDressRehearsal
§ Thoughcalled"DressRehearsal"thissimplyreferstotherehearsalthatiswithorchestrainthe
weekbeforetheconcertanddoesnotrequireconcertdress.Youshouldinfactdressascomfortablyandcasuallyaspossibleandwearcomfortableshoes.Bepreparedtobepatient,foratthisrehearsaltheDirector'sattentionisprimarilyontheorchestra.Sincewemustmakethemostefficientuseoftheirtime,anyproblemsorquestionsthatdirectlyaffectthechoruswillbeaddressed,butonlyaftertheorchestrarehearsalisdone.
ConcertDress§ Allperformancesareinfullconcertdressunlessotherwisenoted.Women’s’concertdressisplainblack
ankle-lengthskirtandplainblacklong-sleevetop,oronepiecedressmeetingthesamerequirements;blackstockings;blackshoes(sneakersareokaslongastheyaretotallyblackwithblacklacings.)Neithersandalsnortrousersareallowed.Men’sconcertdressisblacktuxedo,whiteshirt,blackbow---tie,blackshoes,andblacksocks.Note:Onlysmallstudearringsandweddingringsarepermitted.Musicistobecarriedinaplainblackfolderorblack3-ringbinder.
ConcertEtiquetteOurchoruspridesitselfonitssinging,butconcertdeportmentandappearanceareequallyasimportant.Inordertoensurethatwegiveouraudience(andourfellowsingers)thebestpossibleconcertexperience,pleasefollowtheseguidelines:
v Whileenteringandexitingtheconcerthall,andwhileinpositionontherisers,thereisabsolutelynotalking,wavingorotherwisesignalingtoanyoneintheaudience(eveniftheydothesametoyou.)
v Whilefilinginandoutoftheconcerthall,musiciscarriedinonehanddownbythesideofyourbodynearestthewall.
v Holdyourmusicupandasflataspossibletoallowyoutoseetheconductor,theaudience,yourmusicandtoprojectyourvoiceoutwardtotheaudience.
v Whenstandingontherisers,moveforwardasfaraspossiblewithyourtoestouchingthefrontedge.Thisgivesthepersonbehindyouenoughroomtoholdhis/hermusicinthecorrectposition.
v Itistheresponsibilityoftheusherstohandleanyissueswiththeaudience.Whilefilinginorout,pleasedonotinteractwiththeaudienceinanyway(exceptasmile)evenifanaudiencememberiscrowdingtheaisleorcuttingthroughtheline.
v Clipscorepagestogetherwhereversolosoccur.Donotfollowalongwiththesoloist.v Turnpagesquietly.v Keepyoureyesontheconductor.v Smile!
Somethingyoumaythinkisunnoticeableisusuallyobvioustotheaudience,sopleasestayfocusedanddon’tletyourfellowsingersdown.
ConcertParking
Parkingatourconcertvenuesisusuallylimited,socarpoolorhavesomeonedropyouoffwheneverpossible.Parkasfarawayasyoucantoallowampleconvenientparkingforouraudience.
Sincewearenevercertainofasecureplacetoleavepursesandothervaluables,bringonlywhatyouabsolutelyneed.
Post--ConcertReceptionsNCStraditionallyhostsareceptionfollowingeachofourperformances.Thisreceptiongivesustimetovisitwiththeaudience,orchestramembers,soloists,andourfellowsingers.
Beginningseveralweeksbeforetheperformance,youwillfindsignupsheetsatrehearsalaskingforvolunteersforreceptiondutiestohelpwith:
• Setupandcleanupthereceptionhall• ProvidingNCSPunchandmakingice---ringsforthepunch---bowls• Providingfingerfoods
AreceptionHallMonitorisobtainedforeachreception.Thesearenon-singerswhowatchoverfoodandanypersonalitemsweleaveinthehall.MonitorsreceiveacomplimentaryconcertticketforanalternateNCSconcertperformance.
NewburyportChoralSocietyPunch(Secretrecipe!)Atraditionatourpost---performancereceptions,youwillneedthisrecipewhenyousignuptobringthepunch:
23oz.pineapplejuice(1/2ofa46oz.canor4---6---oz.cans)1---12---oz.canfrozenorangejuice1 ---12---ozcanfrozenlemonade2cupsstrongtea2 literssoda(gingerale,7---UP,LemonDry,etc.)
Mixallingredientsexceptsodaandaddenoughwatertomakeagallon.Whenreadytoserve,addsoda.NCSSponsorshipProgramsTheimportanceoffundingforNCSthroughindividualandcorporatesponsorshipcannotbestressedenough.Thisvitalsourcerepresentsasubstantialpercentageofourannualincome.SponsorsreceiveformalrecognitioninourConcertProgramsinadditiontotheseotherbenefits:
GuestConductor $1000 ProgramMention&4HolidayConcertTickets
Director’sCircle $1000&up ProgramMention&8ConcertTicketsperYear
Benefactor $500---$999 ProgramMention&6ConcertTicketsperYear
Patron $250---$499 ProgramMention&4ConcertTicketsperYear
Associate $100---$249 ProgramMention&2ConcertTicketsperYear
Friend Upto$99 Programmention
SustainingMember MonthlyDonationsatnewburyportchoralsociety.org
Programmention
IfyouareinterestedinbecominganNCSsponsor,pleasecontacttheSponsorshipDirector(forIndividualSponsorship)ortheDevelopmentDirector(forCorporateSponsorship).
SponsorshipTicketAllocationSponsorsmaybeeligibletoreceiveconcerttickets;theSponsorshipDirectorwillcontactyouforyourchoiceofperformancedate.
Ifyouneedtoexchangeyourticketsforanotherdate,returnthemtotheSponsorshipDirectordirectly,alongwithinformationaboutwhichdateyouwouldpreferandaself-addressedstampedenvelope.
Intheeventyoudonotplantouseyoursponsorshiptickets,pleasereturnthemtotheSponsorshipDirector.DoingsowillgreatlyhelptheSocietywithfuturesponsorshipplanning.
NCSEndowmentFundTheNewburyportChoralSocietyEndowmentFundwascreatedtoprovideanopportunitytogiveinmemoriamorincelebrationofanindividualorevent.FamiliesmayrequestagifttotheNCSEndowmentFundinlieuofflowersforadeceasedlovedone.ContributionstotheEndowmentFundcanbemadeatanytimeduringtheyear,andarerecognizedinthenextconcertseriesProgram.TomakeacontributiontotheEndowmentFund,simplysendacheckpayabletoTheNewburyportChoralSociety,alongwithpertinentinformationtotheNewburyportChoralSociety,P.O.Box92,Newburyport,MA01950,Attn:Treasurer.
AdvertisingintheConcertProgramAdvertisingisavailableinallofourConcertPrograms.Whenanadispurchased,itwillappearfortwoConcertseasons,oratotaloffourperformances.Deadlinesforsubmittingadsaregenerallysixweeksbeforetheperformance,butexactdeadlinedateswillbeannouncedeachseason.RatesforConcertProgramadsareasfollows:
BusinessCardImage $60.00Half---page $250.00Full---Page $450.00BackCover $500.00
PleasesendadsalongwithacheckpayabletoTheNewburyportChoralSociety,P.O.Box92,Newburyport,MA01950Attn:PrintingDirector.
PleasehelpustospreadthewordaboutadvertisingintheConcertProgram.ThiswillbenefitNCSbyhelpingtodefraythecostofcreatingtheprogram.
Educator PDPTheNewburyportChoralSocietyisregisteredwiththeCommonwealthofMassachusettsasaProfessionalDevelopmentPointprovider.Keepalogofyourrehearsalhours,performanceandworkshopattendance,andNCSwillprovidethenecessarycertificate.