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Soli Deo Gloria
Choir Handbook |
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Guidelines for a Professional Choir
Often amateur choirs become the most professional by their demeanor. Therefore, Soli is
constantly working on professional behavior…
A Professional Choir starts rehearsals and concerts on time. The Director’s
downbeat is on time; the performers are in their places, ready to go, early enough for
that to happen.
A Professional Choir does not talk during rehearsals or concerts, as it disrupts
or distracts other performers and the Director.
A Professional Choir strives for uniformity in sound and appearance. That is why
singing with Soli requires black dresses for the women, black suits for the men, etc., and
for members to carry their music in black binders in the hand away from the audience, and
to open music at performances at the direction of the conductor.
A Professional Choir always handles breaks in a timely and cooperative fashion
and returns ready to rehearse.
Professional Choir members always have pencils at rehearsals to mark items asked
for by the Director. They also take notes on problem areas to refer to the Director or
section leader later on.
Professional Choir members,
when absences are absolutely unavoidable, contact
section leaders ahead of time when possible to notify them of their absences.
Professional Choir members maintain immediate, total eye contact with the
Director.
Professional Choir members avoid gum in rehearsals and concerts.
Professional Choir members stand leaning slightly forward, without locking
knees. It is acceptable if they need to sit, as long as they maintain good posture and eye
contact.
Professional Choir members – in deference to those around them – avoid
cologne and scents that might clog the sinuses of a neighbor.
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Greetings from the President,
2004/2005 season - Terry Harris
For thirty-two concert seasons, the Soli Deo Gloria Choir has performed some of the
world's greatest sacred masterpieces. We, the
Board of Directors, trust this will continue
for many more years. You, the choir members, are the most important part of our futures. The Board appreciates those of you who continue to support Soli with your time and efforts
and for many of you, with financial support, as well. If you have any questions or
suggestions, please bring them to any Board Member.
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Member Fees
Members are asked to pay dues. The fees are $40.00 per semester or $70.00 if you pay for
two semesters at once (Fall registration only, please!). These fees help defray production
costs for our rehearsals and concerts. The fee is due no later than the third rehearsal
for each session. The Board will work with those who may have difficulty meeting these
deadlines.
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Rehearsal Schedule
All regularly scheduled rehearsals take place at:
Pulpit Rock Church
301 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Rehearsals are on Monday nights and begin promptly at 7:00 p.m., and end at 9:30
p.m.
2005 - 2006 Calendar
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for the Fall Season 2005:
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 Signup and first
rehearsal |
September 12 |
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Last date to join
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September 26 |
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Bake/Crafts Sale
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--to be determined-- |
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Dress rehearsals:
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December 5 |
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December 7 |
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December 9 |
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Concert
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December 10, 2005 - Shove
Chapel |
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| Important dates for the Spring Season
2006: |
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Signup and first rehearsal
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January 9 |
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Last date to join |
January 23 |
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Bake/Crafts Sale
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--to be determined-- |
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Dress Rehearsals:
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Concert
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May 13, 2006 |
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Rehearsal/Concert Attendance Policy
Your commitment in joining Soli Deo Gloria Choir includes the acknowledgement of your
faithful attendance at our rehearsals. Failure to do so jeopardizes our concert
preparations, your own relationship with the section in which you sing, and places an
extra burden on our music director.
In order to perform in any concert, please arrange your schedule to be absent from no more
than three regularly scheduled rehearsals - only one of which may be a dress rehearsal.
If you must miss more than three scheduled rehearsals, you must have approval of your
section leader and the director in order to perform in the concert. This generally
includes an audition to determine if you have kept current with learning the pieces. You
will not be permitted to perform if you miss five rehearsals.
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Prayer
Each rehearsal begins with a short prayer, spoken and/or sung. If you have something that
needs prayerful mention, see Portia Johnson or Mark Miller prior to
rehearsals.
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Fundraising opportunities
There are many ways to help Soli financially. Among these are making donations, selling
ads for programs, or by participating in the bake/craft sales. Several companies in town
provide "matching funds" to your donation to tax-exempt organizations, (which
includes Soli). Check with your Human Resources Director at your workplace to see if your
company is a Matching Fund Company. Send your complete company form with your gift and see
your gift multiply.
Soli is involved with PPAC (Pikes Peak Arts Council) which consists of a wide
variety of arts groups, organized for the purpose of creating a positive atmosphere for
the arts and humanities in this area.
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Advertisements in Soli Programs
The printed materials for the Soli concerts are sent to a printer so that quality can be
maintained. The printing bill for each concert is about $1,500.00. This can be offset by
having local merchants purchase advertising space in our concert programs. You will
receive a handout that you can take to the merchants you patronize (insurance agents,
dentists, doctors, layers, business owners, etc.). Ask for their help in supporting Soli
by purchasing an advertisement. The programs are usually 8-1/2" x 11" and ad
space sells for the following prices:
1/8 page = business card size
(4-1/4 x 2-3/4" or 2-1/8 x 5-1/2 horizontal * only)
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$30.00 |
| ¼ page = 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" vertical**
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$55.00 |
| ½ page = 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" horizontal only* |
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$100.00 |
| Full page = vertical only** |
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$150.00 |
| * Horizontal is also landscape orientation |
| ** Vertical is also portrait orientation
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Copy must be camera ready; black and white. Deadlines for ads are usually six weeks
before the concert date. Dates will be announced. Please get the ads in as early in the
season as possible so that the program format can be planned. Questions may be directed to
Linda Thaanum, Ads Coordinator. Checks should be made payable to Soli Deo Gloria
Choir and given to Cheryl Blanton-Chisolm, Treasurer.
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Refreshments
We take a short break during our rehearsals. There are usually cookies and coffee and hot
water for tea. If you would like to help set up the snack table, please contact Flo Sterk,
our refreshment coordinator. If you would like to bring snacks for the table, please feel
free to do so. The refreshments that are purchased each week are funded by your donations. Be generous each week when you take a break. Refreshments are not provided during dress
rehearsals; participating churches have asked that we not bring food into their
sanctuaries.
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Smoking
No smoking is allowed in the church building during rehearsals or concerts.
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Concert Tapes
Our concerts are recorded; the tapes and CDs may be purchased only for the enjoyment of
our membership. During dress rehearsal week, there will be an envelope in which you may
place your order. Checks are to be payable to the recording company, which for this year
is Penguin Digital Recordings. Please do not send cash. Tapes and CDs will be sent
directly to your home approximately four weeks after the concert date.
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Cancellation Due to Weather
In the event weather conditions would cancel a rehearsal, KRDO-FM and KCME-FM will have
the official cancellation information. Y ou can also find out by calling your section
leader by referring to the phone tree in this handbook.
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Concert Dress
Concert dress for members is simple, but uniformity must be maintained to exemplify
professionalism.
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MEN
Black suit or tuxedo
(Not navy, dark brown or green)
Tuxedo shirt (standup
collar) with cufflinks, studs, cummerbund
Black bow tie, black
socks, black shoes
WOMEN
Black cowl neck dress
with long sleeves (see Sandy Kay Hittle to order)
No jewelry except
what is chosen by choir; no hair bows.
Black shoes, black
hosiery |
Please refrain from wearing watches or flashy jewelry that might distract the audience
from our beautiful singing. Also, please do not wear scented hair sprays, colognes,
perfumes, or any strong-scented deodorants. These can become quite strong in close
quarters and make people around you sneeze or become ill.
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Music for Concerts
Soli members are expected to purchase their own sets of music. The cost of the music is
generally less than $25.00 per semester. Photocopying is strictly prohibited due to
licensing and rental agreements with publishers. Mark Miller, the Music Coordinator, can
answer any questions you may have regarding the music.
For concerts, the music must be in a black binder. If you do not have one, or cannot find
one, see Mark Miller.
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Solo Auditions
Whenever there are solos in our programs, we invite any member of the choir to audition
for parts. Singers who are not members of Soli may also be granted auditions and
occasionally are awarded the parts. Parts are awarded to those singers who can perform in
the manner required by the director.
The audition times are scheduled by an audition committee, which is made up of board
members, choir members, and the director. The decision of the audition committee is final. Those singers selected for parts will be so advised as early as possible.
If you are interested in a solo part, see the music coordinator to obtain the score for
the part if it is not included in the choral score. Sign up at rehearsal for an audition
when the auditions are announced. If you would like to serve on the audition committee,
please see one of the board members.
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Board Members
The Soli Deo Gloria Choir Board of Directors is made up of six to twelve people. Elections
are held in April and anyone may run for an office. Typically, six are elected each year
for a two-year term so that at any one time, at least six are remaining from the
previously elected board. The Board members elect officers of the Board. The officers of
the Corporation are the President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
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