Vision Statement and Member's Committments
Draft: 9/17/98
Identity:Charis consists of 24 serious, dedicated, and highly committed amateur singers. We prepare and perform a minimum of two complete concert programs per year, with at least two performances of each one. Virtuosic repertoire includes a great variety of secular and sacred works from many time periods; it is largelya capella but also includes accompanied and orchestral pieces.
General goals:
Identity:Charis consists of 24 serious, dedicated, and highly committed amateur singers. We prepare and perform a minimum of two complete concert programs per year, with at least two performances of each one. Virtuosic repertoire includes a great variety of secular and sacred works from many time periods; it is largelya capella but also includes accompanied and orchestral pieces.
General goals:
- Charis strives to present the finest possible ensemble performances. Our goal is to attain technically and musically sophisticated levels of achievement. Improvement must be continual.
- In addition to public performances, we work to make our rehearsal process educational, efficient, and pleasurable both for members and for our director.
- All members cooperate to ensure the administrative side of the endeavor operates smoothly.
- Plan concerts with pieces requiring small or medium orchestra:
- Dido and Aeneas in spring, 1999.
- Israel in Egypt (double chorus with Cerddorion) in 1999/2000 season.
- Make a CD
- Repertoire - American folk-based music (e.g. Shenandoah).
- (Will require 5 recording sessions of 5-10 hours each.).
- Expand participation in Keenefest 1999 and Keenefest 2000.
- Give paid performance at Ellis Island on June 28, 1999.
- Possibly participate in Mostly Mozart Music Festival at Lincoln Center. (Summer of 1999 or 2000)
- Perform in other settings throughout the year as opportunity arises.
(e.g., Town Crier, etc.)
- Section leaders will be appointed by the music director on a rotating basis. There will be one leader per section for each half of a concert cycle. Section leaders� responsibilities will include:
- Making careful notes of markings given in rehearsal, and passing this information on to people who missed it.
- Determining the need for sectional rehearsals, and organizing them.
- Identifying any problems within the section by careful listening. These could be problems with notes, rhythm, intonation, or more general areas. Speaking (in a positive way) to the person having difficulty, and helping resolve the problem; possibly encouraging that person to attend a sectional rehearsal, or if necessary, identifying the problem to the director.
- Every singer will be re-auditioned by music director each year, to identify both improvements and problems.
- Any member who exhibits chronic or serious difficulties will be contacted by the director at or before the beginning of each concert cycle. Specific problems will be discussed, as well as potential remedies. The member will be given a substantial time frame, usually the whole concert cycle, to make needed improvements. In some cases, if problems persist, the person will be asked to leave the group.
- Potential new members will be auditioned by the director. Acceptance will be provisional pending a trial period of actually rehearsing with the group. Willingness to participate in administrative functions will be a condition of acceptance.
- The Board of Directors will meet monthly, or more often as needed, to oversee the general administration of the group.
- Specific details of operation will be administered by committees (see below).
- Each member acknowledges a strong commitment to the other members and to the director to cherish his/her opportunity to participate in Charis, and to work to the peak of his/her ability at all times.
- Each member agrees to take responsibility for learning his/her music. All notes of all pieces will be learned within 6 weeks of the beginning of each concert cycle.
- Each member agrees to make every reasonable effort to attend all rehearsals. If a rehearsal must be missed, member will notify director and attendance monitor in advance. If a rehearsal is missed, the member will contact his/her section leader during the ensuing week to obtain score markings and other instructions.
- If more than three rehearsals are missed during any concert cycle, member must speak with director about continued participation in that program.
- Each member agrees to seek help when needed at any time during the rehearsal season. This could include attending sectional rehearsals, doing additional practice at home, or asking the director for assistance or a private lesson.
- Each member of Charis agrees to share in its operation by joining one committee. Expenditure of time need not be extensive, but the burden of tasks must be shared in an equitable manner.
- There will be three committees:
- Publicity
- Fundraising
- Concert Operations
- To the extent possible, each member will have his/her choice of committees.
- In addition to committees, there will be periodic concrete tasks that will require volunteer help from the members.
- I agree to learn all music by the sixth week of rehearsal.
- I agree to attend sectionals when needed.
- I agree to attend all possible rehearsals. I will speak to Susanne if I miss more than three rehearsals.
- I agree to participate on one committee.
