»Orientation for New Choir Members
Rehearsal
When? The
choir rehearses every Thursday night from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. (There can be
occasional extra Saturday rehearsals, but not often.)
Where?
The choir room is located downstairs in the church, at the bottom left of
the stairs. Signage will be provided for the first few weeks.
What?
Take Sunday bulletin and any other materials on the circular table inside
the choir room door. The bulletin shows the order in which we will sing the
music, and lists the hymns.
Services
When?
Nine am Sunday
is the default meeting time. Exceptions (usually later, not earlier!) will
be communicated. Sunday worship begins at 10 a.m. most weeks, with the
exception of Easter, when there are services at 9 a.m. and 11a.m. (the choir
performs at both services). Christmas Eve service is normally at 11 p.m.
Where?
Most weeks, the choir warms up and rehearses in the sanctuary. Heidi will
put a message on the white board in the choir room. You'll need to stop
downstairs for your robe and/or music anyway.
Attendance
The expectation
is that singers will have attended, at minimum, two full practices (i.e., not
Sunday warm ups) before a given worship performance. This guideline is not in
pursuit of a perfectionist ideal, but rather to honor the work that is being
done by fellow choir members in preparation for a piece. To present the most
moving and meaningful musical rendition possible, we need everyone to work
together. If you have a question about whether you should join the choir for
a particular Sunday, please speak with Heidi in person or
via e-mail.
Why? With
full respect for the volunteer nature of the choir, attendance is taken to
emphasize the commitment that a music ensemble requires. It is used to show
general trends in attendance, determine what singing forces are available
for Sunday worship, and to reveal potential pastoral concerns (ie, if
someone has been absent for a while).
How?
Communicate your absences primarily via the seasonal sign-out sheet in the
choir room. Add your name to the rehearsals, Sundays, or events you are
unable to attend. This prevents surprises where several key singers are
missing from a section.
Who? In
the event of an unanticipated absence, call or
e-mail your section leader.
Music Folder
You will receive
a numbered cubby (the number is different from your choir robe) in which to
keep your black music folder and music. The choir has some black folders to
lend but they are not in good shape. Consider buying your own choir folder
and putting your name in it.
How?
Folder numbers have already been assigned to those who have decided to
become members. If you are giving choir a try, or don't have a number
assigned to you yet, please see Karen Levell, choir manager and librarian.
Where?
The list of names is posted by the block of cubbies to your left as you
enter the choir room.
Seating
Chart
For the first
rehearsal, name tags will be on assigned chairs. Following the first
rehearsal, a seating chart will be posted with seating assignments per
section. Following the first rehearsal, name tags can be located by the hymn
books to the right of the music cubbies.
Key Cards
These will allow
you to open the 16th Ave. side doors of the church on Thursday evenings.
There is a small charge to replace your key card if you lose it.
Who?
Choir members are eligible to receive key cards while a member of the choir.
For security and tracking, they must be returned if the person leaves the
choir.
When? Key
cards only work for choir rehearsal/event needs (Thursday nights and
occasional Saturdays).
How? John
Coleman, tenor, coordinates the disbursement and return of cards.
Robes
Why?
Robes are worn to give a unified appearance to a large group and to
de-emphasize individual participation in favor of the whole.
When?
Most Sundays, with the occasional pre-determined Sunday without robes. These
Sundays are determined intentionally - usually when the choir sings more
contemporary pieces, or when the liturgical arts would benefit from some
extra color or vibrancy. On these occasions, you will be informed in
advance of the color palette to be worn.
How?
There is a list on the large bulletin board of robes that have already been
assigned. They are dry cleaned every summer. You are responsible for finding
a stole of the appropriate color - Heidi uses this color on the sign-out
sheets for the appropriate Sunday. Put your stole on your choir robe hanger
to keep it handy. If you need help finding a choir robe, talk to your mentor
or section leader.
Roster
John Coleman
maintains the list of choir members and the contact information they agree
to make public. At the beginning of the year, he passes out the current list
for voluntary submission of contact information. You may designate if your
information may be used for official choir business (section leaders and
other volunteers) or for the choir as a whole (for distribution only within
choir).
Back to Music/Performing Arts Page
|
