Membership Information

Chorale Notes | Responsibilities | Attendance | Costs | Music | Attire | Chorale Ensemble
Chorale Online | Duties of Board Members | Duties of Committee Chairs

CHORALE NOTES

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RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Maintain regular attendance in accordance with guidelines.
2. Be on time for rehearsals.
3. Learn the music.
4. Display a positive attitude during rehearsals (limit the chatter).
5. Promote a positive image in the community. Show your pride in the Chorale!
6. Encourage community attendance at concerts by helping with publicity and selling tickets.
7. Be willing to serve on a committee.
8. Consider serving as an officer.

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ATTENDANCE

Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 PM to 9:20 PM at the Manassas Baptist Church. First rehearsal is August 31, 2010.  First rehearsal after the Christmas concert is January 4, 2011. Regular attendance is essential to maintain the quality of any vocal ensemble. Members are required to attend at least 75 % of the rehearsals for each concert. Members are each responsible to register their own attendance at rehearsal. In order to be counted as present, a singer cannot miss more than half an hour of the rehearsal.

For the 2010-2011 season, the attendance requirements (not including the mandatory dress rehearsals) equate to:

• Fall (October) - 5 of 7 (including a Saturday rehearsal on September 11, 2010)
• Winter (December) - 6 of 8
• Voices United (March) - 8 of 10
• Spring (June) - 7 of 9

If a member exceeds the maximum allowable absences, but wishes to perform in the concert, he/she will sing for the Music Review Board, which will determine the singer’s preparedness. Rehearsal day/times will be announced well in advance so that Chorale members may be aware of any changes or additions to the regular Tuesday night schedule.

A dress rehearsal is held at the Hylton Performing Arts Center before each concert. All members must be in attendance unless otherwise arranged with the Director. Failure to attend the dress rehearsal may result in the member not being eligible to perform with the Chorale for the concert. Concert attire is NOT required at dress rehearsals. The dress rehearsals are scheduled for the following dates and times.  Note: scheduling may require that the time change from 7:30-10:00 PM.

• Thursday, October 7      7:00 – 9:30 pm
• Thursday, December 2   7:00 – 9:30 pm
• Friday, March 11           7:00 – 9:30 pm
• Friday, May 13              7:00 – 9:30 pm

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COSTS

In 1996, the Chorale became incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Since then, the primary sources of income have been admission proceeds, singer membership dues, grants and patron support. The dues for the 2010-2011 season are $55.00 or $25.00 per half-year segment. Other costs may include music (see Music), attire (see Concert Attire), and a black performance folder. If payment for music is two weeks or more late, a late fee of $5.00 will be added.  If membership dues remain unpaid, the singer will not be allowed to perform with the Chorale.

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MUSIC

Each singer will receive a copy of the music selections to purchase that he/she is expected to sing with the Chorale. All music will be marked with the singer’s folder number and is the singer’s responsibility after he/she purchases it. Music is to remain at the rehearsal location until it is purchased, and then may be taken home. (See more details under Cost.) Singers are expected to mark their individual copies of music with pencil for breathing, diction, rhythm, dynamics, etc. Purchased music may be kept by the singer, or donated back to the Chorale and placed in a church music library where the group will have access to the copies if they wish to sing the selection at a later time. (Music donated to the Chorale will also be available for other groups to borrow at the discretion of the Artistic Director and the host church.) Music used by the Ensemble is purchased by the Chorale budget and is not the property of members. Ensemble music should be returned at the end of each segment's singing obligations. Each singer is responsible for learning their music and is expected to work on their part at home if needed. 

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ATTIRE

For Women:

• Long black skirt and blouse, as purchased through the Chorale
  (Cost is approximately $105)
• Black dress shoes and black hose
• Jewelry policy is determined by the Chorale Board to present a uniform appearance. No necklaces, bracelets, brooches, or pins may be worn. Small, simple gold, silver, or gemstone earrings are permitted. No dangling or large hoop earrings. Watches may be worn.

For Men:

• Black tuxedo, white shirt, bow tie and cummerbund, as purchased through the Chorale
  (Cost is approximately $135)
• Black dress shoes and black socks
• Watches may be worn

Casual Attire for All:

• Blue Chorale polo shirt (as provided), tucked in
• Black slacks
• Black shoes

Each member will use a matte black folder to hold his/her music, available for purchase through the Chorale. Cologne, perfumes, scented hairspray, or other scents are not permitted. When performing informally, as for local churches, etc, members will wear concert attire unless otherwise instructed by the Director.  The Concert Attire Chairperson is responsible for fitting and ordering concert attire. New members need to make an appointment for a fitting ASAP after passing the audition and joining the Chorale. A blue polo shirt (donation to cover cost is optional) will be provided to each singer to wear as an alternative to formal attire as appropriate.

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CHORALE ENSEMBLE

The Chorale Ensemble is composed of 20-30 Chorale members selected by the Artistic Director at the beginning of the Chorale season. If openings occur during the year, auditions will be held for these vacancies. The Ensemble often represents the Chorale by performing at community functions where a smaller group of singers is requested or is necessary due to space limitations. The group sings several selections on each concert program and rehearses before Chorale rehearsals. The attendance policy for this group matches that of the whole Chorale, with the added requirement that three unexcused tardies will constitute one absence. Excessive absences could result in removal from the Ensemble.

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CHORALE ONLINE

CHORALE PHOTOS

The Chorale has an account at www.flickr.com, a photo sharing site, which members can use to post Chorale pictures online to share with the group.  If you need assistance, please contact the Vice President Meryl Franck.

• To view pictures, go to http://flickr.com/manassas_chorale
• To upload new pictures, go to http://flickr.com/tools/uploader (username: manassas_chorale, password: mccmcc) or send pictures via email to law73troy@photos.flickr.com.
• If you have an existing flickr account, join our group and post pictures directly from your own account: http://flickr.com/groups/manassas_chorale.

FACEBOOK

Become a friend of the Manassas Chorale, become a fan of our Facebook page, or join the Manassas Chorale group! Get to know other members of the Chorale, share pictures, and exchange messages.  Go to www.facebook.com to sign up.

EMAIL

Be sure that the Chorale has your current email address!  Email is a major source of communication for the Chorale, especially last minute changes and reminders. If you change email addresses, please send your new address to the Chorale email address: manassaschorale@live.com. If you do not have access to email, please find a Chorale member to be your "buddy" and contact you whenever an email comes to the membership.

The Chorale email address is monitored by the Vice President, but all the officers and the Director have access. If you reply to an email sent by the Chorale, it will be viewed first by the Vice President and then forwarded to the appropriate person. You may respond specifically to the Director or a board member by emailing them directly.

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DUTIES OF BOARD MEMBERS

PRESIDENT

1. Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Chorale.
2. Prepare agenda and preside over all meetings of the membership and the Board.
3. Call such meetings of the Board as are appropriate.
4. Act as liaison between the Chorale and the community.
5. Appoint the chairperson of each standing and special committee of the Chorale with the advice of the elected officers and consultants.
6. Notify chairpersons of matters needing their attention.
7. Provide membership of the Chorale with adequate information concerning Chorale activities.
8. Cooperate with the Director of the Chorale and other Board members to determine the rehearsal schedule and concert dates.
9. Maintain records of annual grant proposals.
10. May serve as an ex officio member of any Committee.

VICE PRESIDENT

1. Assist the President with noted duties.
2. Serve in the absence or disability of the President.
3. Keep membership and attendance records for each member.
4. Keep Director informed of members’ attendance.
5. Prepare the Chorale handbook.
6. Prepare directories of membership throughout the year.
7. Maintain internal forms of communication (email and Facebook).
8. Prepare and maintain Chorale nametags for members.
9. Prepare, tabulate, and present year-end survey.

SECRETARY

1. Prepare and distribute copies of the minutes of each Board meeting within two weeks after each meeting.
2. Prepare minutes of membership meetings.
3. Maintain an archive consisting of the Constitution, Bylaws, meeting minutes, programs, newspaper articles and other Chorale information deemed important to the Chorale’s history.
4. Notify the membership in writing of such matters as the Board may request, including the election of officers and proposals to amend the Constitution.
5. Send notes, cards, or letters as prescribed by the Board.

TREASURER

1. Monitor the receipt and disbursement of cash and other property by the Chorale.
2. Report to the Board in writing at each regularly scheduled meeting on the current financial position of the Chorale.
3. Cooperate with and advise the Board in determinations that bear upon the undertaking and funding of financial transactions.
4. Prepare the annual budget.
5. Arrange for an annual review of the financial records.

CONCERT MANAGER

1. Serve as Chair of the Concert Committee.
2. Coordinate concert administrative details.
3. Coordinate all concert publicity.
4. Update and maintain the mailing list.
5. Prepare/print programs.
6. Coordinate with the Hylton Performing Arts Center as needed.
7. Coordinate with the Artistic Director for community singing opportunities.
8. Attend Chorale Board meetings as a non-voting ex-officio member.
9. Coordinate regularly with Director, President, and Treasurer.
10. Coordinate "Concerts with a Cause."

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DUTIES OF COMMITTEE CHAIRS

CONCERT ATTIRE CHAIRPERSON

1. Maintain all articles of concert attire belonging to the Chorale.
2. Ensure that all new members have properly fitted concert attire for the upcoming concert, and orders new attire as needed.
3. Maintain records of the attire purchased by Chorale members.

FUNDRAISING CHAIRPERSON

1. Coordinate fundraising activities.

GRANTS CHAIRPERSON

1. Research possible grants.
2. Prepare grant proposals.

HOSPITALITY CHAIRPERSON

1. Coordinate the provision of refreshments for Chorale rehearsals and performances as appropriate.
2. Coordinate dinners as scheduled.

MUSIC LIBRARY CHAIRPERSON

1. Disburse and collect music for the use of the Chorale.
2. Keep records of all such transactions.

PATRON DEVELOPMENT CHAIRPERSON

1. Prepare and distribute information in order to promote the Patron Program.
2. Pursue patron donations, both private and corporate.

PROPERTY/SET CHAIRPERSON

1. Arrange for the acquisition, set-up, and take-down of furniture and sets at all rehearsals and performances of the Chorale, in accordance with the arrangements made with rehearsal and concert sites.