| Membership and Rehearsal Etiquette and Policies |
Announcements at rehearsals
Announcements by Board members and others may be made at the beginning or end of the rehearsal. Please check with the
President or any other Board member about any announcement you may wish to make.
Asking questions at rehearsals
Each section has a section
leader that will be your main contact for questions. Please approach this person first with questions and they can then direct you to the correct person if they can’t supply the answer. Please keep questions to the Director at a minimum. This will help make rehearsal time as efficient and enjoyable as possible.
Attendance Policy
CSC has an attendance policy meant to ensure the highest quality in all of our music by having our membership as
prepared as possible. The Artistic Director designates the number of excused absences that are allowed for
each concert. The number varies depending on the length of the rehearsal schedule and the difficulty of the music
(it's usually about 20% of the number of total rehearsal weeks for an entire term - not for each concert - or usually three allowed absences in the fall/winter and three in the spring).
Each voice section has a section leader that administers the attendance policy.
Problems and appeals should be directed to the section leader who will refer them to the Artistic Director.
Even though there are an allowed number of absences
per concert, singers are expected to attend as many rehearsals as possible. This will ensure the highest
possible degree of preparedness.
Singers who are more than five minutes late or leave rehearsal early without an excuse will have time
prorated from their two absences by their section leader.
If you miss more than the allotted number of rehearsals, the Artistic Director may grant a waiver
if you can demonstrate knowledge (audition-style) of your vocal part. Contact your section
leader or the Membership Chair for assistance.
Big Buddy Brigade
Especially for new people who haven’t had the time to develop a network of CSC friends, our group, by sheer size,
can be overwhelming. We assign a veteran CSC’er to each new member so that they can act as a "big buddy".
During the first few rehearsals, Big Buddies introduce their assigned new singer to some people and make them
feel welcome. Big Buddies should also make sure new singers talk to the right people about music, concert attire,
etc. and keep a watchful eye out. New singers appreciate this effort and may become good friends in the process.
See the Membership Chair to volunteer.
Complimentary Tickets
At present, there are no complimentary tickets issued to members. The Board of Directors reserves the right to
authorize the issuance of complimentary tickets for Concert Singers events.
Complimentary tickets for performances involving collaborative organizations, such as
the North Carolina Symphony, may be available at the discretion of the organization. Concert Singers of Cary
reserves the right not to purchase such tickets as complimentary benefits for singing members.
Concert Attire
Each member is required to purchase/provide their own concert attire. For women, this consists of a floor-length black dress (or equivalent),
black hosiery and black shoes. For men, this consists of a black tuxedo, cummerbund and bow tie, and black shoes.
We ask women to wear *conservative* jewelry (i.e. no large, flashy earrings or necklaces, and no pearls).
We also ask, as a courtesy to other singers that during the concert no perfumes or aftershaves be worn.
Women's attire is acquired by each women, in accordance with the women's
attire guidelines and related
process. Men's attire can be ordered from After Hours Formal Wear, in accordance with the
men's attire guidelines and related process. The CSC Quartermaster helps to coordinate details
for attire orders and purchases.
Concert attire is not owned by Concert Singers of Cary. Each singer owns their own set. If you purchase concert
attire and then decide to withdraw from membership, we are not responsible for refunding your money or selling your
attire to someone else.
Each singer is responsible for finding someone to purchase their attire from them.
E-mail List Server
Concert Singers maintains a list of e-mail addresses used to send news and important information to singers
through our List Serv service. This
list is not sold or given to other organizations for any reason unless deemed appropriate to the programs of Concert
Singers of Cary.
Contact The List Serv manager if you would like a message passed
to all members of the list.
Inclement Weather Policy
In the case of incelement weather (ice storm, snow, hurricane, etc.) you may receive information about the cancellation
of rehearsals or concerts through several methods. The Artistic Director will make a determination about cancellation
of the rehearsal or concert by 3:00 pm on the day of the event. He will then inform the Membership Chair who will
filter the information to the section leaders. From that point, the section leaders will get the information to
their section members. You may also call the information line at 678-1009 and listen for the recording, or you can
check the web site. Do not call the Director for any reason. If you have a question concerning the weather policy, please contact your section leader.
Membership Fee
Like many organizations and associations, CSC asks an annual membership fee as part of being a member. CSC asks that dues
be paid for an entire year ($60), regardless of how many concerts the member participates in.
These monies are used to offset costs of running the chorus
including payment of musical staff and instrumentalists, etc. If there are instances when the payment of dues
is a hardship, this should be brought to the attention of the Membership Chair.
The Membership fee is fully tax deductible (although purchase of music is not). A receipt for payment will be issued by the
Treasurer for use in tax preparation.
Orchestra Rehearsals
Attendance at orchestra rehearsals is mandatory.
To be eligible to sing in the concert, you must be present at the orchestra (dress) rehearsal. Attire for
orchestra rehearsals is NOT concert attire -- dress comfortably.
Recordings
CSC may prepare recordings for use by singers in preparing for rehearsals. We reserve the right
to recover duplication costs in doing so. If made and available, please use this extremely valuable resource.
Sheet Music and Folders
Singers are expected to purchase their music for performances. Music will be
issued at the first night of rehearsal. Singers should expect to pay for their music at that first rehearsal.
Questions about the music should be directed to the
Library and
Property Committee Chair. See The Music Library for more
information.
Small Ensemble Member Selection
This policy was adopted, as stated, by the Board of Directors as official policy
From time to time, opportunities will arise, in the form of complete concert programs or parts of programs, when
smaller ensembles will be required or desirable. There is not, at present, nor is their planned, any permanent chamber choir roster or other
special ensemble. Participants will be selected by the Artistic Director and/or other persons on the basis of a variety of voice, skill, reliability, and experience qualifications and
considerations. Such invitations may arise from the chamber membership roster and professional list, but are not limited
to these lists. There are only a limited number of places in each special ensemble, and because there are many
talented candidates available for each selection, an invitation should not be construed as a statement of elite status,
nor should a non-invitation be construed as a statement of inadequacy. The Chamber Ensemble Roster is not a select choir,
nor does a successful chamber membership roster audition guarantee participation in any programs of Concert Singers of Cary.
This membership category was devised as a means of providing the Artistic Director with a detailed assessment of a
singers' voice as an aide to making the most balanced and suitable small ensemble invitations. For the typical member
of Concert Singers of Cary, the Chamber Membership Roster is an excellent means of demonstrating one's vocal abilities as a
recommended precursor, but not prerequisite, to a special ensemble invitation.
See the Special Ensembles page for more information.
Tips and Expectations For Rehearsals
To get as much done in each rehearsal as possible, we ask that the following guidelines be observed:
The Singer's Contract with Concert Singers of Cary
Adapted from the excellent "memorandum of understanding" written by the Colorado Springs Chorale
This "contract" outlines the general responsibilities of singers and the obligations of Concert Singers of Cary.
We wish to clarify certain expectations for the benefit of the choral art, the organization, the singer, the community, and the staff. We intend to raise the quality of the experience for all concerned and to approach rehearsing and performing with standards as near professional as possible.
The singer shall make every effort to:
Concert Singers of Cary offers the singer:
Updated 31 August 2006 |
