Member’s Handbook                                                                                                                                                              Page  6

Membership Requirements

Auditions

Schola Cantorum is an auditioned classical chamber ensemble of 20-30 voices.  Candidates for singing membership must audition for the Artistic Director.  Auditions are arranged by appointment.  The purpose of the audition is for the singer to satisfactorily demonstrate basic choral musicianship skills, including but not limited to sight-singing ability, rhythm drills, notation reading and voice placement.  The decision of the Artistic Director whether to offer membership to a candidate is final, although re-auditioning may be arranged at a agreed future date.

At his/her discretion, the Artistic Director may also require current members to re-audition periodically to assist with balance and blend or where other changes are needed.  Existing Schola members should expect to re-audition every two years.

Membership Handbook Acknowledgement

Each singer in the Schola receives a copy of the Membership Handbook for the current performance season (this document) at the time of his/her successful audition, or by the first rehearsal he/she attends.  Each singer must read the Handbook and should contact any Board member to clarify questions regarding its contents.  Each singer must then complete and sign the Acknowledgement Form shown as Attachment C, remove it from the Handbook, and return the completed form to the Schola Secretary.  The completed and signed achknowledgement form should be returned within two (2) weeks of the distribution date noted on the front of the singer’s copy of the Handbook.

Level of Commitment

The 2006-2007 concert season runs from September 2006 to June 2007.  Each season there are two major concert series of four or five concerts each:  Winter and Spring.  Traditionally, the Winter concerts are accompanied, while the Spring concerts are a cappella programs.  Rehearsal requirements are described later in the Handbook, but in general there are 15 to 20 total rehearsals during each series.

Performance dates are established prior to the beginning of the season.  Additional ad hoc or special performance events may also be announced at the discretion of the Artistic Director.  All singers are expected to perform in the major concert series, while the “specials” are based on singers’ availability and event needs.

As mentioned earlier, Schola Cantorum also hosts an annual community outreach event called the Summer Sing the first or second weekend in August.  Member participation is voluntary, but greatly appreciated to make this event another ongoing Schola success story.

Musicianship Objectives

Central to Schola Cantorum’s identity is being a learning chorus.  Besides working towards professional-level performance objectives, Schola seeks to provide each member opportunities to continue along his/her individual path of increasing levels of musicianship in the context of a wide range of choral literature.  Specific musicianship objectives include:

* To develop/improve correct vocal techniques, including but not limited to breath support, intonation, diction and tone quality.

* To develop/improve fundamental music skills in notation, sight-singing, pitch discrimination, rhythm and musical element recognition.

* To demonstrate expressive qualities in a wide range of choral music styles, including appropriate phrasing and dynamics.

* To contribute to the blend, balance and quality of the ensemble by developing the ability to sing a voice part securely in mixed formation.

* Additional objectives related to vocal performance include:

* To enhance performance confidence, etiquette and decorum by putting them to use.

* To enjoy music through active participation in its creation and presentation to an audience.

* To practice self-discipline by functioning as a responsible member of the chorus.

* To experience successful achievement and the joy of accomplishment through group involvement.

* To develop character traits of leadership, poise, and dependability as well as to provide opportunities for creative expression.

* To continue a lifetime of positive musical experiences.

Schola singers are encouraged to pursue improvement in every aspect of fine vocal musicianship throughout each season.

Dues

Like most volunteer non-profit choruses, Schola Cantorum collects dues from singing members.  These dues help defray operating expenses not otherwise funded by ticket sales, paid performances, grants and sponsor donations.  Dues for the 2006-2007 season are $35.  For singers joining after 1 January 2007, dues for the remainder of the season are $20.

Dues must be paid to the Treasurer on or before the first regular rehearsal of the season the singer attends.  Cash and checks made payable to “Schola Cantorum” are accepted.  In the case of financial hardship, the singer should speak to the Treasurer and Artistic Director for resolution.  It is Schola’s policy that financial hardship should not bar a member from participation.

Music Fees

Most music is ordered by the Board and then purchased by chorus members “at cost” and retained by them after the season.  This policy has been adopted to encourage members to freely annotate their scores with meaningful rehearsal notes.  Every attempt is made to keep music costs minimal (e.g., less than $20 per season).  Music fees must be paid to the Treasurer within 2 weeks of music distribution.  Cash and checks made payable to “Schola Cantorum” are accepted.  In the case of financial hardship, the singer should speak to the Treasurer and Artistic Director for resolution.  It is Schola’s policy that financial hardship should not bar a member from participation.

Original and Loaner Scores

In some cases, original scores (e.g., computer printouts) may be provided at no cost to the singers.  These scores may be freely annotated and retained by the singers at the conclusion of the series unless otherwise requested by the Artistic Director.  If requested, original scores must be turned in at the conclusion of the last performance of the series in which they are used.

At times, loaner scores are arranged from other choruses, churches or area schools.  Loaner scores are numbered and assigned to individual chorus members who thereby assume responsibility for their care.  Any loaner scores provided must be marked with erasable pencil only; ink, highlighters, and other permanent modifications are not permitted, excepting three-ring punches in the standard positions. A singer is responsible for the replacement cost of any loaner scores assigned to him/her that are lost or irreparably damaged.  Loaner scores must be turned in at the conclusion of the last performance of the series in which they are used.

“Black Folders”

Singers are expected to use a standard, black professional choral folder for performances, or a plain black, 8½ inch by 11 inch three-ring binder.  Singers are responsible for purchasing their own folders or binders.  All music must be securely fastened in the folder elastics or ring inserts for performances.  The Board keeps a few surplus performance folders on hand and makes them available for purchase “at cost” by members in need of them.  The Board places a replenishment mail order for additional folders if the number of singers wishing to purchase them exceeds the number of surplus folders.

Fundraising and other Non-Performance Commitments

As part of the Schola “family,” singers are expected to participate in a small number of fundraising and/or advertisement activities.  Some examples are: soliciting paid ads from local merchants for inclusion in the printed programs for each series; identifying and/or facilitating potential corporate sponsorship relationships; and placing posters and flyers in public areas and places of business frequented by potential concert-goers.  These activities help secure the future of Schola Cantorum by raising community awareness of the chorus, its upcoming performances, and by providing a stable funding and audience base.

Each singer is a stakeholder in the success of the chorus and is therefore encouraged to participate to the extent they are able in the many non-singing tasks required to sustain the Schola.  For example, members can offer suggestions and special skills to the Board, and/or participate in committee work.

Good Standing Criteria

Members are expected to maintain good standing in the chorus.  “Good standing” is defined as the singer meeting the following criteria:

* Pay annual dues and music fees in a timely manner.

* Willingly participate in fundraising and/or advertisement activities, as well as other non-performance tasks in support of the chorus as he/she is able.

* Proactively demonstrate commitment to the Mission and Core Values of Schola Cantorum, as well as the Musicianship Objectives, listed in this Handbook.

* Attend the all rehearsal retreats scheduled.

* Miss no more than two (2) rehearsals per series, including both regular and sectionals.  Two (2) late arrivals and/or early departures are counted as one (1) missed rehearsal.

* Attend all dress rehearsals.

* Review and learn any missed rehearsal material prior to the next rehearsal, including:

* Review notes for all missed rehearsals in the “Members Only” section of the Schola Cantorum web site or received via email.

* Get Artistic Director instructions/marks from another member in good standing within the singer’s section.

* Check with the Secretary in person or using the contact information on the first page of this Handbook for important information/announcements that may have been missed.

* Perform in all major concerts.

* Perform in any “special” concerts, subject to availability and event needs as assessed by the Artistic Director.

* Report for any Performance Assesment Sessions (PAS) as a peer participant (subject to availability), or as a singer under review as required by the Artistic Director.  The PAS is discussed later in the Handbook.