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Oratorio Chorale 2010-2011 Member Handbook
Welcome to the 37th season of the Oratorio Chorale. We're glad you're part of the Chorale. Not only do we need your voice, but also we need your talents! As we all work together, we'll produce music that inspires and enlivens and makes us proud to be musicians.
Our Mission Statement The Oratorio Chorale is an independent organization of singers founded in 1974 to promote the choral arts in midcoast Maine. The Chorale's members seek personal musical growth and the joy of making music together. Under professional direction, they are committed to presenting public performances of the highest quality through diligent preparation and the best musical resources.
Administrative Direction The Chorale is a nonprofit organization with an annual budget of over $50,000. A Board of Directors, elected primarily from Chorale singers, is the legal entity responsible for the financial and administrative functions of the Chorale. This year's Board members are:
Fred Cichocki, President Rachael Bairstow Barry Hilton Lucie Teegarden, Vice President Betsy Connelly Mark Love Mike Knudsen, Secretary Anja Forche John Todd Marian Dalton, Treasurer Jennifer Geiger
The business operation of the Chorale is conducted by volunteers, both Board members and chorale members. The expectation is that each member will get involved in some aspect of the chorale – it helps members get to know each other and feel more a part of the chorale. We can use your help in one or more of these areas:
Fundraising. More than half the money needed to run our organization comes from contributions and program advertising. This group coordinates the business and individual campaigns, grants, and program advertising. Contact: John Todd, Lucie Teegarden (grants), Gwyn Palmer (program ads)
Marketing/PR. Volunteers in this sphere write and distribute press releases; arrange media advertising; produce and distribute posters, brochures and postcards; and handle ticket distribution and sales. Contact: Jennifer Geiger, Lucie Teegarden, Gwyn Palmer, Jean Webster, Carrie Strasburger (tickets)
Membership. This group recruits new members, manages auditions and re-auditions, coordinates section leaders, distributes member handouts, and organizes parties. Contact: Mike Knudsen
Concert Production/Logistics. This consists of venues, equipment, stage manager, and concert volunteers. Contact: Fred Cichocki, Mark Love
Section Leaders:
Soprano: Rachael Bairstow Tenor: Fred Cichocki Alto: Carrie Strasburger Bass: Mark Love
Rehearsals Rehearsals are held on Sunday evenings between 6:00 and 9:00 PM at the Mid-Coast Presbyterian Church at 84 Main Street in Topsham. There will be occasional additional rehearsals; locations and dates will be announced. Please contact your section leader in advance if you must miss a rehearsal. More than two absences will require a review of your preparedness to sing the concert, and the director must be consulted. Final dress rehearsals are mandatory.
Choristers who accept the invitation to perform in the Oratorio Chorale signal their intention to participate in all the concert programs for the season. Anticipated performance conflicts need to be discussed directly with the Artistic Director well in advance of September’s start-up. Unforeseen conflicts need to be similarly discussed as soon as they become known. Even when a singer knows of a direct conflict with the performances, the expectation is for continued participation in the ensemble during the rehearsal period leading to the concerts. Peter will ask choristers who miss two program-preparation cycles during any two consecutive seasons to review with him their commitment to the Chorale.
2010-2011 Concert Season November 20 and 21 Solace and Triumph with the Duruflé Requiem and two Bach cantatas
March 19 and 20
Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Jury with additional works
by Ivor May 1 and 3 Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé with the Portland Symphony Orchestra June 5 A Musical Banquet: The Chorale performs songs of spring by Britten, Elgar, Finzi, Ireland, and Thompson, and individual Chorale members and small ensembles present our annual recital.
Money Chorale members pay annual membership dues of $50 for the year, or any portion of the concert season, and purchase (through the Chorale) their own musical scores. Cost of music per concert in recent seasons has ranged from $15 to $40. Women members purchase black tops, about $35 with shipping and tax (see below). If you need financial assistance for any of these items, please talk with your section leader.
Concert Dress Guidelines These are intended to produce a consistent look for the Chorale, one that does not distract the audience from the music. For men this consists of dark suits (tuxedo preferred) with white shirts and black bow ties. For women, concert dress is a floor length black skirt or plain black dress pants no more than three inches from the floor, a black blouse ("Onyx" style #8693 from Stage Accents), black hose and comfortable black dress shoes (not lace-up athletic shoes). Jewelry should be limited to modest earrings. No perfume or after-shave lotion, please.
Venue Etiquette Please remember, both in the church where we rehearse and those in which we perform, that the sanctuary, especially the altar and tabernacle areas, are considered sacred space. It is our hope that you will respect this tradition and conduct yourselves appropriately. No food or drink (except water) should be consumed in a sanctuary.
Website: www.oratoriochorale.org The Oratorio Chorale Website is maintained by Gwyn Palmer. It contains general information about the Chorale, the season programs, the audition process and schedule, a brief history of the Chorale, and a special section for members, where you will find the rehearsal schedule and other useful information.
Ticket Sales Members are encouraged to sell concert tickets directly. We always aim for a full house, which adds to the enjoyment of the concert experience for singers and audience alike. This is also your greatest opportunity to help ensure the financial success of the Chorale, since past surveys show that approximately 60% of our audience comes because they know a Chorale singer. A packet of tickets is given to each member by his/her section leader about four weeks prior to a concert (tickets will be available earlier for those who need them). Season tickets are also available.
Tickets will also be sold for each concert at the following locations: Books Etc. (Falmouth); Claytons (Yarmouth); Gulf of Maine Bookstore (Brunswick); Magnolias (Bath); What’s Cooking (Bath); Maine Coast Book Store (Damariscotta); Starbird Music (Portland); Longfellow Books (Portland) and Treats (Wiscasset).
Parties! The Oratorio Chorale has a well-deserved reputation for throwing great potluck parties after the second performance of each concert cycle, at the home of whoever graciously offers it. The last party of the year also functions as the Chorale annual meeting; members are encouraged to attend to recap and celebrate the season, vote in new board members, and look ahead to the next season.
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