PERFORMANCE AUDITION

In order to qualify to perform in public with the chorus, ALL members must tape and pass the songs to be performed with a member of the Music Staff, a Section Leader or Tape Evaluator. They will listen to a tape made during regular rehearsal, evaluate it and return that evaluation to the member so they can improve their performance.

The new member must also be passed by a member of the Visuals Team.

In some circumstances, it is possible for a new member to perform the songs she has passed, even though there are more songs in the performance package. She will simply leave the risers for those songs she doesn't know. The music staff will help decide this.

To pass your music means:

• Music - knows all the notes and words without music
• Choreography - knows all of the planned moves, has good facial expression, and keeps an eye on the director
• Sings in tune more than 95% of the time

• Tapes or CDs or MP3s of our current music part predominant
• The opportunity to sing in "practice quartets", sectionals, or smaller groups
• Critiques of your taped voice

• Show up at 7:00 pm ready to rehearse
• Leave your troubles at the doorstep and remember - this is OUR TIME to learn, to grow, and to have fun. Act upbeat, and even if you didn’t feel that way when you walked in, you soon will.
• Be friendly -- especially with guests and new members -- remember how you felt coming in the first couple of times.
• Wear your name tag. Guests, coaches and newer members might not know you yet, and long-time members have occasional short-term memory lapses.
• Get to the risers as quickly as possible when called
• If you must be off the risers for whatever reason, please try not to disrupt the rest of the chorus. If you find you cannot stand on the risers for the entire rehearsal, we EXPECT you to pull up a chair on the floor as near to the chorus as possible and continue to participate
• Many people are allergic to perfumes and scented products -- this can affect their ability to sing. For everyone’s sake, please stay away from scented products when going to rehearsal or performance.
• Speaking of scents, we a close group and stand close together on the risers. Try to refrain from eating odorous foods or drinking alcohol before coming to chorus.
• Retreats and/or coaching sessions are arranged for our benefit and we are expected to make every effort to be there.
• Stand with your best posture toward the front of the riser step, and your toes just over the front edge of the riser so the person in back of you isn't crowded and so the back row isn't in danger of falling off. Also, this stance should balance you so you can not easily be pushed off balance and you can easly move in any direction called for by the visuals team choreography.
• Unless instructed otherwise, stand square with the riser with one foot slightly ahead of the other. Stand buoyantly on three points -- the balls of both feet and one heel -- and remember to move while you sing. When the pipe is blown, you are expected to "present"
• Windows do not come from the people in front, but from the people behind you.
  • If asked to move by those behind you please do so
  • If necessary, you can then ask the people in front of you to move so you continue to have a good view of the director.
• Pay close attention to the person down front and refrain from talking or humming the pitch. Keep track of what’s being said even if it’s directed to a different section since it likely also affects what or how you are singing.
• Do not place anything on the risers - it can get in the way of others
• No eating or drinking on the risers [exception: screw-cap water bottles are encouraged - with bottle carriers]

ACCEPTING PERFORMANCES MEANS . . .

As we want to please our audiences, it is equally important that we provide visual appeal. Confidence in your own personal performance comes in knowing what you are doing vocally and knowing that you fit the visual look of the whole chorus in choreography, costuming and make-up. If you've passed your performance audition, and have been rehearsing regularly with the chorus, you should also know the visual plan.

It is our wish that you enjoy your experience with us and feel a part of the chorus unit.

Performances are accepted by the chorus ONLY when the Director has determined she will have a balanced sound - which means that all performances aren't mandatory. Naturally, we expect you to sign up for the majority of them and as many as you possibly can, but this IS a hobby and everyone has different priorities in life. With that in mind ... this is what is required of performing members at each performance accepted by the chorus:

• Arrive at least 45 minutes prior to performance time so you have plenty of time to get performance ready (costumes & makeup). Warm up your voice in the car on the way if at all possible!
• Costume are designated by the Costume Committee prior to any performance. We are going for a "unit look". We don't want anything to distract the audience from our sound or attract the eye to an individual -- unless it's OUR intention to do so!
  • Make sure all the pieces are ready to go ahead of time. Don't forget any accessories (earrings) or props.
  • Only jewelry designated by the costume committee is allowed. Wedding rings are the single exception. All other jewelry must be removed - plan ahead - remove extra rings and piercings before you get to the performance. No watches. Any tattoos must be completely covered
• Makeup, including nail polish, is also designated prior to any given performance - check with the MakeUp committee if you have any questions. If someone from the makeup committee asks you to change something, please don't be offended - we're going for the uniform look.
• Hair should be big, full and off the face and shoulders. Bigger hair draws the attention to the performers face and where it should be - on what we're singing. If you need help with your hair let the committee know well in advance of the performance.