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Choir Etiquette

The document provides guidelines for choir etiquette and expectations of members. It emphasizes arriving early to rehearsals and being fully focused and engaged during rehearsals. It also stresses the importance of regular attendance and communication if a member will be late or absent. Members are expected to be respectful, positive, and ask questions respectfully. The overall goal is for the choir to come together each week to praise God through their music.

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jayson
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718 views

Choir Etiquette

The document provides guidelines for choir etiquette and expectations of members. It emphasizes arriving early to rehearsals and being fully focused and engaged during rehearsals. It also stresses the importance of regular attendance and communication if a member will be late or absent. Members are expected to be respectful, positive, and ask questions respectfully. The overall goal is for the choir to come together each week to praise God through their music.

Uploaded by

jayson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Choir Etiquette

The minute you step into the door for rehearsal, forget about all of your problems,
all of the things you didn't get to, and all of the deadlines you have coming up.
Nothing else should matter when you are here, except for the music that is our
praise to God. This awareness will change your life.

Why are you here? What is your motivation for being in the choir? Is this just
another thing for you to do during the week, or does your time here guide your
life's purpose? I encourage you to commit to this community. If you are
consistently absent it won't help our cause.

The only attitude that will be tolerated is a positive one. Be respectful, helpful,
polite, peaceful, and loving. If you have a question, ask it in a loving way.

It is each choir member’s responsibility to be aware of and attend all scheduled


rehearsals and masses. If you find you will be late or absent, let somebody know
as early as possible.

On time = early. If you must arrive late to rehearsal, WAIT TO ENTER if the choir is
in the middle of rehearsing a piece. Walking in during a piece will cause
commotion and take the focus away from the rehearsal.
When the conductor is rehearsing other sections, pay attention to what he is doing
with that section, as you may have similar material or a similar vocal problem that
needs addressing.

If you have problems, comments, or concerns about programming or logistics,


please talk to the elders AFTER the rehearsal, not before or during.

During the mass, maintain a sacred silence before and after you sing. Before a
song: open your body for what you are about to sing; be attentive as the organist
plays the introduction, if there is one - ask questions before he starts playing the
introduction, and sing along IN YOUR HEAD to find the tempo. After a song: please
don't move or close your book abruptly; revel in the sacred silence until the
conductor gives you the cue to move or sit. Similarly, watch the conductor for a
cue to stand if you've been sitting and STAND TOGETHER!

Ground Rules and other items of note

Bring water

Use your pencil during rehearsals – there will be a glass jar with pencils for you to
use.

If you need more attention on a specific part, record the rehearsals so that you can
practice singing the part on your own, or ask the conductor to play the part for you
after the rehearsal.

Do not depend on another person in your section. Use your own ears, eyes, hearts,
spirits, souls, & minds.

The rehearsal is the time for learning parts and mass is the time to sing the music.

Turn off your cell phone or silence it during rehearsal and Mass.

Attendance Policy

To be in good standing, all you have to do is excuse yourself (call or pm)


ahead of time if you are going to be absent or late, with at least 24 hours notice.
Please do so as soon as there is an inkling that you may be late so I can make any
necessary arrangements. If I had my way, you’d all be here for every rehearsal &
mass. It may seem like there are a lot of people in the choir, and that it isn’t as
important that you are here, BUT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that you make a
commitment to being here as often as you can to get the most out of the choir
experience, and so that we have a consistent idea of what the choir group sound is.

If you are here regularly and on time (which means about 10 minutes EARLY), you
will benefit greatly:

You can talk to everyone else and see how his or her week is going!
You can look over the choir sheet and check out the music we will be singing.
You’ll get to warm up your voice and prepare it for the full rehearsal.
You'll be ready mentally for the rehearsal.
Your voice will improve with the vocal techniques I pass on to you and because of
the time you devote to singing each week.
For UNEXCUSED absences (meaning you didn’t call or pm), we currently have a 3
strikes & out policy
1st time - you will receive an email, pm or call as a 1st warning
2nd time - written warning
3rd time - out for the rest of the season, and you may rejoin the next
season

Please call with 24 hours notice if you will be absent entirely from the rehearsal. It
may happen that we are doing a more difficult piece that may need a full section –
if everyone from your section calls in an hour before rehearsal I am left high & dry
and don’t have enough time to hire someone if need be to cover the section.
However, if I know a day in advance that everyone in your section is gone, I have
time to find contingency.
For an unexcused tardy or unexcused absence you will not be able to sing for the
Sunday mass.
If you miss the rehearsal during the week you cannot sing the mass - you will have
missed too much from the rehearsal. (Amends may be made to this particular
policy point, but only at the music director's discretion.)

Your membership and regular attendance will imply that you understand and
accept these policies. Thank you for being a member of this esteemed choir and
making the commitment to the group for its continued success!

A Choral Bill of Rights

The choir member has a right to:


Offer their musical gifts and talents, as guided by the director, for the glory of God
and the enrichment of the parish community
Know the schedule of commitments: rehearsals, masses & concerts, call times &
approximate conclusions
Prompt, well-organized and efficient rehearsals that begin and end as scheduled.
Expect to work hard to produce wonderful music, and have a great time along the
way.

The choir director has a right to:


Committed choir members whose shared goals are offered for the glory of God and
the enrichment of the parish community.
Choir members who, out of respect for the ensemble, show up 5-10 minutes early
and are ready to sing at the beginning of the rehearsal.
Choir members who carry a smile and a pencil at all times.
Choir members who understand that making music is not always easy, fun, or
immediate, but that the rewards of the hard work and dedication are countless.

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