Choir Member Handbook

WELCOME TO THE BRANDYWINE VALLEY CHORALE

This handbook will outline the expectations for membership in our organization. We look forward to singing with you. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let us know.

About Us
 The BVC was founded in June 2007, with a group of musicians, arts supporters and friends in the Unionville area and surrounding communities. The auditioned members of the chorus share a love of music and a commitment to excellence.

Our Founder and Artistic Director
Jason Throne received his B. M. Music Ed. At Temple University. While teaching in Baltimore, he studied conducting under the direction of Edward Polochick, the Director of the Baltimore Symphony Chorus, and performed with the Baltimore Symphony and Chamber Chorus. After receiving his Masters in Choral Conducting at Temple University, Mr. Throne was Apprentice and Program Editor with the Berkshire Choral Festival, where he lectured on the choral music of Brahms and Bach, as well as music technology. Mr. Throne has worked with renowned conductors including Robert Page, Joseph Flummerfelt, Vance George, Marvin Hamlisch, John Rutter and David Zinman. Drawing from these experiences, he currently delivers seminars in conducting for music teachers at regional area high schools. After spending two years as Assistant Conductor of the Bucks County Choral Society, he performed and conducted the group during their recent tour of Estonia and Russia. Mr. Throne is Choral Director at Unionville High School.

Our Assistant Director
Howard Wood taught vocal music and musical theatre at Unionville High School for 31 years before retiring in 2003 after a 33-year teaching career. His current musical activities include substitute teaching at Unionville High School and he is currently employed by Longwood Gardens as the Performance Manager in their Performing Arts and Visitor Services.

Our Accompanist
Linda Lorgus graduated from Westminster College with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano and Organ performance. Throughout her college years she was an accompanist for faculty recitals, the Youngstown Symphony Chorus, and played with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. She has accompanied many local choral organizations, recitalists, musical theater, the National Association of the Teachers of Singing vocal competitions, and West Chester University and the Matinee Musical Club of Philadelphia's Young Artist Concerts. Most recently she was Organist and Handbell Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church, West Chester, where she served for the past 32 years.

Our Mission
The Mission of BVC is to foster and share the art of choral music, as well as serve our community, through the pursuit of choral excellence in a wide variety of repertoire and performance opportunities.

Strategic Plans
To improve and grow as a choir, we continually strive to recruit eager, talented singers. We accept new members twice a year but we recruit at all times. We are a dedicated core of members who are enthusiastic about our mission and our choral involvement is an important priority in our lives. Our conductor leads us in growing artistically and we encourage one another in the development of joyful music. We work toward increasing awareness of our choir by publicizing our concerts, auditions, and choir news using a multifaceted approach.

Website
The chorus maintains a website that communicates our mission, goals, leadership and membership as well as provides the community with information about our upcoming concerts. Please visit the site frequently at www.brandywinevalleychorale.org.

Dues
To create an effective and stable financial base for our choir, we build on our revenue from seasonal dues of $125.00 and a one-time Registration Fee of $25.00. Members will need to purchase their own performance attire and black music folder.

Commitment to Rehearsal
Attendance at weekly rehearsals is critical to the success of the Chorale. Being present ensures that members are familiar with the notes, dynamics, phrasing, blend, and balance. A choir member who is completely prepared will have a more meaningful personal experience and will be more capable of enriching others through song.

Attendance
Responsible choir members exhibit a commitment to communication. If an absence is necessary, please notify Howard Wood at woody AT brandywinevalleychorale.org. There may be times when unforeseen circumstances prevent attendance. In these rare instances, two absences will be permitted during each season. (Fall and Spring) Dress rehearsals, however, are mandatory.

In the event that a member is absent from a dress rehearsal, performance in the concert may be precluded, at the discretion of the director. There are times when extra rehearsals may need to be added for guest musicians or venue logistics. We will give you as much advance notice as possible if, and when these may occur. Members who find that their schedules cannot accommodate the BVC attendance requirement should discuss a leave of absence with the director.

Rehearsal and Performance Calendar
Commencing on September 9, we rehearse on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at St. Michael Lutheran Church at 109 East Doe Run Road in Unionville. We perform two major concerts per year: Our holiday concert will take place on December 12 at 7:30 PM at Willowdale Chapel ; and our year culminates with a spring concert in May. The date will be available soon. We may perform smaller concerts at other times of year and sing seasonal holiday carols upon request.

Weekly Rehearsal Guidelines
Rehearsals begin promptly at 7:30 p.m., and members are expected to arrive early. Upon arrival, sign the attendance roster on the piano, pick up any new music or rehearsal aids, and check the seating chart. From time to time, refreshments may be scheduled periodically during rehearsal breaks to foster fellowship. Members may be asked to volunteer to bring refreshments.

Dress Rehearsals
Many of our concerts may be enhanced by brass or orchestral accompaniment. While these rehearsals are usually longer than the weekly rehearsals, they are crucial to performance success. Please allow plenty of time to place the music in concert order before rehearsal begins. Many guest musicians are union-contracted and are available for only a certain amount of time. There is much to do in little time, so make every effort to be prompt.

Performance Dress
The BVC would like to present a professional and uniform appearance so as to focus on the music and its message rather than on individual members of the chorus. With that in mind, there is a standard performance attire for all members of the BVC. Members will be responsible for purchasing their specified concert attire according to the following guidelines:

Men's attire
Standard Black Tuxedos, white wing-collar pleated tuxedo shirt, black bowties, black cummerbunds, black socks and black shoes. Members need to provide their own black music folders.

Women's attire
Black concert dresses from Southeastern Performance Apparel Company and specified concert jewelry, nude or suntan hose and comfortable black shoes. Members need to provide their own black music folders.

Avoid flamboyant accessories (e.g., hair bows, wraps) which call attention to the individual.

PLEASE: For the comfort of all choir members, please do not wear perfume or cologne in rehearsal or performance.

Music Return
Printed music is a valuable resource so we ask that each member treat it with care. Make sure all music is returned to Brenda Wood (our librarian) following the concert. There will be a designated location for the return of all music after the performance.

Time
We know that time is valuable, and we are committed to making the time together as pleasant, productive, and meaningful as possible. Rehearsals begin and end promptly on schedule and are carefully prepared to make effective use of our limited rehearsal time. Concert schedules are usually designed a year in advance so that singers can mark their calendars and plan ahead.

Responsibility
Members are provided with all the necessary music for performances. A sufficient number of copies of the pieces are purchased or borrowed so that copyright law is obeyed. These copies are not intended to become part of any member's personal music collection and must be returned to the librarian at the end of the concert.

Communication
Pertinent choral announcements are made at each rehearsal but email is the major format for communicating information between rehearsals. It is essential for each member to ensure that their email address is current and to notify the director of changes. We publicize our chorus through the Brandywine Valley Chorale website: www.brandywinevalleychorale.org.

Quality
We are committed to performing the best of choral music and we choose literature accordingly. For future concerts, an orchestra, brass ensemble or various guest musicians may be engaged, thereby enhancing the performance experience.

Appreciation
Members are carefully chosen using such criteria as talent, expertise, dedication, a cooperative spirit, and a love of music. Mutual cooperation and respect among the members are the cornerstones of our success.

Chorus Leadership
The leadership guides the chorus toward the realization of its mission and goals. Service as an officer of the chorus is strictly voluntary.

The Brandywine Valley Chorale Board
The 2008/2009 Executive Board of the Brandywine Valley Chorale working with the Director, Jason Throne jason@brandywinevalleychorale.org includes,