NewburyportChoralSocietyMemberHandbook

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:info@newburyportchoralsociety.orgNCSWebsite–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:info@newburyportchoralsociety.org§ 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.