Cantata Singers Members' Information

Availability Form Rehearsal Schedule

Cantata Singers Membership Guidelines

Ratified at the Chorus Council Meeting, April 21, 2002

These membership guidelines are intended to: Describe the rights and responsibilities of all Cantata Singers members. Acknowledge that the Cantata Singers depends on the commitment of singers who participate both on a full-time and on a part-time basis. Clarify the ways in which concerts will be staffed in the future (see Staffing Concerts below). The Personnel Manager will give annual status reports at the Chorus Council meeting so that issues may be discussed and these guidelines may be adjusted as necessary. Membership Designations There are two Cantata Singer membership designations: Full-time and Part-time. Full-time members Sing at least three chorus concerts per year. Are given first priority for chorus concerts they want to sing. Part-time members Typically sing fewer than three chorus concerts per year. Request the chorus concerts they would like to sing. All new singers join as Part-time members and are invited to sing one or more chorus concerts by the Personnel Manager. Change in Member Status Member status changes automatically based on the number of concerts sung in the last two years: If a Full-time member sings fewer than three chorus concerts for two years in a row, the member automatically becomes a Part-time member (but see exception below). If a Part-time member sings three or four chorus concerts for two years in a row, the member automatically becomes a Full-time member. Member Responsibilities Members are expected to: Attend the rehearsals. Arrive on time. Practice and learn the music. Members also are expected to: Miss no more than two rehearsals per concert period. Inform the Personnel Manager or appropriate section leader of a potential absence or lateness in advance. Check with the appropriate section leader about missed material , schedule changes, and other administrative information. Staffing Concerts The Personnel Manager will staff concerts by taking into consideration singers’ wishes and availability, as well as the musical needs of each concert as expressed by the Music Director. Collecting more detailed season information from singers: In order to staff concerts in a way that will accommodate both singers’ schedules and the musical needs of the concerts, the Personnel Manager will collect more specific information about all members’ availability for the season, such as which concerts they can sing; which concerts they really want to sing; which concerts Full-time members might be willing to sit out; whether Part-time members want to sing enough concerts to become full-time; and so forth. Preventing over-staffed concerts: In the event that there are more Full-time singers desiring to sing a particular concert than can be included, or that there are particular musical needs that should be served, the Personnel Manager and Music Director may need to ask whether a Full-time singer would sit out a concert. If this happens, they will handle the situation with sensitivity, taking into consideration the musical requirements of the concert, singers’ demonstrated commitment to the group (described below), as well as the lists of Full-time members who have indicated that they are willing to be flexible and Part-time members who have indicated that they are striving to become Full-time. If this situation arises too frequently or becomes problematic, the membership guidelines will be reconsidered. Note: Members will not be penalized for being good citizens – if the Personnel Manager asks a Full-time member to sit out a concert that he or she previously committed to singing and, as a result, the member sings fewer than three, the singer’s member status will not change. Demonstrated commitment to the Cantata Singers : Many factors demonstrate one’s commitment to the group. Some are positive, such as attendance, years with the group, and general dependability. Some are negative, such as missing too many rehearsals, chronic tardiness, or dropping out of a concert once committed to singing it. Questions: Members are encouraged to speak with the Personnel Manager or Music Director if they have concerns or questions about their status or assignments. Re-auditions: Members are encouraged to re-audition whenever they wish, and may make such arrangements with the Personnel Manager and Music Director. Note: The Music Director has the right to request re-auditions and make staffing decisions for musical reasons. Soloist Opportunities Vocal solos in the Cantata Singers season are available to all Cantata Singers members – Full-time and Part-time – although not all solos are cast from the group. Auditions for solos are held at the beginning of the year by the Music Director. All members are invited to audition for solos in any concert of the season, even if they have not been asked to sing the concert, although they must be available to be in the chorus for the concert. If the Music Director wants someone to sing a solo in a concert that s/he is not scheduled to sing, s/he will be added to the chorus roster for the concert. Chamber Series The Cantata Singers Chamber Series offers programs of solo and vocal chamber repertoire that are musically linked to the main chorus series. All Full-time and Part-time members may audition for the Chamber Series Music Director in the early fall. However: Singers must also be scheduled to sing in the main chorus series to be eligible to sing in the Chamber Series. New singers must appear in a main chorus concert before appearing in the Chamber Series. Regular chorus rehearsals take place Wednesdays, 7:30-10 pm, at All Saints Parish Music Room, 1773 Beacon St., Brookline. Parking: Along Beacon Street On the T: Cleveland Circle (C) Green line, Dean Road stop; Riverside (D) Green Line, Beaconsfield stop Rehearsal questions? Call Personnel Manager Luellen Best, 617.965.0031. Responsibilities Your commitment to regular attendance and preparation is the only way we can maintain the standard that sets us apart.  So: •Be on time! •Don't miss rehearsals. If you have to miss a rehearsal: Let Luellen Best (617.965.0031) or your section leader know in advance that you will not be at rehearsal. Check with your section leader about what you missed musically and informationally. Concert Attire Women:  Dressy all black, ankle-length, short to long sleeved dress or skirt/pants ensemble.  (No casual wear, such as knit or stirrup pants and sweaters, etc.)  Black shoes.  Moderate jewelry. Men: The usual - Black tux, black bow tie, white shirt, black socks, black shoes. No perfume or cologne, please! Member Definitions Full-time members: Sing at least three chorus concerts per year. Are given first priority for the chorus concerts they want to sing. Part-time members: Typically sing fewer than three chorus concerts per year. Request the chorus concerts they would like to sing. Please refer to the Membership Guidelines for more information. Opportunities Solos Vocal solos in the Cantata Singers season are available to Cantata Singers members, although not all solos are cast from the group. Auditions for solos are held at the beginning of the year by David Hoose. If you are interested in auditioning for a particular solo, you must already be signed up to sing in that concert. Chamber Series The Cantata Singers Chamber Series offers programs of solo songs and vocal chamber works that are musically linked to the CS main series. Participation in the Chamber Series is open by audition in the early fall to all members. Singers must also be scheduled to sing in the main CS series. New singers must appear in a main CS concert before appearing in the Chamber Series. Classroom Cantatas Classroom Cantatas is an educational outreach program in which composers and Cantata Singers members help students in the Boston Public Schools write and perform their own "cantatas." For information about participating, contact Sara Wyse-Wenger at 781.643.2949 or swysewengr@juno.com.