For Members

Chorale Member Handbook

Following is the on-line version of the Chorale Handbook (which is available to download here in PDF format). If you have additional questions, please ask your Section Leader, any member of the Board, or you can send your inquiries to board@everettchoralenull.org.

Everett Chorale Handbook

updated 9/8/09

>EVERETT CHORALE ASSOCIATION BOARD
>SECTION LEADERS & RESPONSIBILITIES
>CHORALE MEMBERSHIP & COSTS
>REHEARSALS & REHEARSAL ETIQUETTE
>DRESS CODE & STAGE ETIQUETTE
>TICKETS
>SOLOISTS & INSTRUMENTALISTS
>MUSIC

EVERETT CHORALE ASSOCIATION BOARD

The Board is composed of volunteers who are vitally interested in the success of the organization. Their task is to ensure the smooth operation of the business and structural aspects of the Chorale, including scheduling, budgeting and financial support, publicity, correspondence, policies, registering, music handling and providing as much assistance as possible to the director.

The following people were elected to serve on the Board for the 2009-10 season:

• Kathie Roon, President
• Peggie Thompson, Vice President & Registrar
• Louise Kennedy, Secretary
• Mary Lamb, Treasurer
• Patty Chatterton, Librarian
• Pat Sidor, Volunteer Coordinator
• Art Krull, Section Leader Liaison
• Delain Grohn
• Shari Ireton
• Diana Lawrence
• Susan Lind
• Diane O'Neill
• Andrea Miner

To contact a member of the Board, send an e-mail to board@everettchoralenull.org

SECTION LEADERS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Soprano Section Leader: Rita Kramer
• Alto Section Leader: Mary Veurink
• Tenor Section Leader: Eldon Bond
• Bass Section Leader: Art Krull

1. Maintain attendance records for each section singer for rehearsal and performance.
2. Attend to dress code concerns.
3. May give musical suggestions to section singers under guidance of the director.
4. Provide accurate, legible list ofsection members for the performance program.
5. Ensure that section is performance-ready to enter stage.
6. Introduce, welcome and integrate new singers into the section.
7. Serve on a telephone tree for emergency communications.
8. Assist librarian to collect music from section at completion of a performance.
9. Be available to address music concerns with section members.
10. Serve as liaison between singer and director.

CHORALE MEMBERSHIP & COSTS

Membership in the Everett Chorale is open to all interested singers with previous choral experience and further guided by a simple audition at the discretion of the director. Enrollment is limited to 100 voices based on balance between the sections and individual voices. The audition is a non-threatening 10-minute procedure to give the director some idea of the quality and capability of individualvoices. This routine is followed:

1. If you are new and pre-registered, call the director, Lee Mathews, at 425.789.1162 or 425.327.3775 to make an appointment. Normally auditions are also announced after the first rehearsal of each quarter for those who have not yet auditioned.
2. Please appear on time.
3. Do not bring any music. You will be asked to sing a familiar song chosen by the director, to sing a harmony part while the director plays the melody, and to vocalize through your entire range. Having any difficulty with this does not necessarily mean you are disqualified but does give the director important information about the voices before him in the Chorale.

The Chorale is affiliated with Everett Community College as a part of their Corporate and Continuing Education Program and a special activity fee of $45 is paid to the college. The special fee helps to cover the costs of salaries of the director and accompanist, music and printing. The college registration form must be completed and fees paid no later than the second rehearsal of each quarter. If this presents a financial hardship, discuss the availability of financial assistance with your section leader. Indicate on the registration form if you wish to take the "class" for the two credits offered. If no credit is needed, please check audit on the form. Whether the class is taken for credit or as an audit, all students enrolled in ARTS 010 (formerly Music 175) must return their music and participate in the final concerts in order to receive a final grade. If music is not returned in a timely manner, the student will be charged for replacement of the missing music.

REHEARSALS & REHEARSAL ETIQUETTE

Rehearsals for the 2009/2010 season will take place at the Everett Symphony Building, 2710 Colby Avenue, on Monday evenings from 7:15 to 9:30 p.m., interspersed with a 10-minute break. Please be seated and ready to sing promptly at 7:15. Four special Sectional Rehearsals for women (Soprano/Alto) and men (Tenor/Bass) are scheduled each quarter preceding the regular rehearsal starting at 6:30 pm. Please see the Rehearsal Schedules or the Everett Chorale Member Calendar on Google for details. Individual and section seating are governed by the wishes of the director. Members are asked to comply with the director's seating arrangement and to return to the same seats on subsequent rehearsals.

Attendance at rehearsals is of the utmost importance for the performance. Please notify your section leader in advance if you will be absent. If more than two rehearsals are missed in the quarter, you may be excused from the performance, dependent on circumstances and at the discretion of the director.

Etiquette & Dress Code

Maximum enjoyment of Chorale participation can be realized by all if we give our full attention to the director, refrain from chit-chat with neighbors or humming along while other sections are being rehearsed, and listen carefully to all instructions. We all want to have fun singing together and wish to experience a smooth flow of the rehearsal and a steady progress in mastering the music.

DRESS CODE & STAGE ETIQUETTE

WOMEN: A uniform black formal dress has been selected by the Chorale Board and must be purchased by each female member. A Dress Coordinator will be introduced to the Chorale and will be available to assist you in measuring and obtaining the dress. The cost is approximately $105.

In regard to accessories, wear black hose and black shoes with no open toes. Earrings should not exceed one inch in length and should not flash or otherwise attract attention. A single strand pearl necklace to the neckline maybe worn.

• Make sure dresses are clean and pressed.
• Please wear black hose (no knee highs) and black shoes with no open toes. Comfortable, flat shoes are best.
• Earrings should not exceed one inch in length and should not flash or otherwise attract attention.
• A single strand pearl necklace to the neckline may be worn. It’s not required, but most wear them.
• Refrain from wearing scented perfume or hair sprays which can trigger serious breathing problems in susceptible chorale members. This is also true for rehearsals.

MEN: Black tuxedos with white shirt and black bow tie, black socks and shoes are mandatory for all male members.

Both men and women should refrain from wearing scented perfume, after-shave lotion, or hair sprays; which can trigger serious breathing problems in susceptible chorale members. You will be asked not to perform ifyou fail to comply with the dress code.

Stage Etiquette

• When entering or leaving the stage area., please carry your music in your left hand.
• Music should remain at the left side until the director cues that it is to be raised.
• If curtains are not drawn, remember to carry your music in your left hand when entering or leaving the stage. Music should remain at your left side until the Director cues that it is to be raised or when he steps onto the podium. Just follow what everyone else does.
• On the risers, the front rows need to step as far forward on the riser as possible (a step or two from the risers if you are standing on the floor). Otherwise, there isn't much room for those on the top rows.
• When the orchestra or soloists are performing alone, do not follow along in the score unless directed to do otherwise.
• Turn pages to the next choral entrance and be prepared to sing on cue from the director.
• Do not turn the page immediately at the end of a piece. This can be a distraction. It may be helpful to mark "end" to remind yourself not to turn the page. Also, watch "noisy page turns" particularly during soft sections of the music.
• Use paper clips or tape flags to remind yourself of repeats, codas, etc.
• Watch dynamics. Try to think about balance and blend, both within our section (don’t drown out those around you) and with other sections (especially when your section doesn't have the melody).
• Be mindful of cutoffs and don't sing through rests.
• No gum!

TICKETS

2009-10 Season ticket prices will be as follows:

Individual: Adults $16
Seniors/Students/Military: $14
Group Discounts: $2.00 off/ticket for groups of 10 or more.

Box Office information:

(425) 257-8600 or 1-888-257-3722
The Everett Performing Arts Center
2710 Wetmore Avenue, Everett, WA 98201 (MAP)
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11 AM to 7 PM and one hour before each concert.

SOLOISTS & INSTRUMENTALISTS

The director determines the nature and composition of the programs. Soloists may be selected from within or outside the Chorale, and auditions for solo parts will be announced by the director. Many of the major works sung by the Chorale are accompanied by the Chorale Arts Orchestra; with most of the instrumentalists drawn from the Everett Symphony. Other soloists and music groups may be invited by the director to participate in our programs.

MUSIC

The music selected by the director is th eproperty of Everett Community College and must be returned at the conclusion of the performance. As music is an extremely valuable and costly item, members will be billed for failure to return any music. A procedure for returning music will be designated at the performance site. If you drop out of the Chorale and are unable to attend the perfomance, please return all music to Staff Services, attention Sharon Stier, at the College (2000 Tower Street, Everett, WA 98201) to another chorale member or The Everett Choral Association's librarian (P.O. Box 485 Everett, WA 98206-0485)

A pencil may be used to mark the music. Any music marked with highlighter or pen must be purchased back from the college by those responsible. A black folder is required to hold your music, which should be in program order (see MusicFolder.com for ordering a black folder on-line). Purchase of plastic "magazine holders" at office or stationery stores will hold the music in place without the neea for ring binders ana holes in the music. Please Do not punch bores in the music.