Expectations of Choir Members

EXPECTATIONS OF ALL CHOIR MEMBERS

In order to maintain the standards and professionalism of the choir, there is
an expectation that all members will attend regularly and abide by some
simple choir protocols. Adherence to these by all choir members and visiting
singers ensures that all rehearsals can be a positive experience for singers,
accompanist and conductor, enabling everyone to feel well-prepared and
confident to make every concert a success and a really professional event in
the eyes of our audiences.

ATTENDANCE

• Members are expected, wherever possible, to attend all rehearsals and major
  performances in each season’s brochure. Taking part in a concert where
  fewer than 75% of rehearsals have been attended will be at the discretion of
  the Conductor.
• You are asked to mark your attendance on the register on arrival at every
  rehearsal. Please also inform the Secretary and Chairman of any unavoidable
  absence, wherever possible in advance, preferably by text message on 07720
  571 851(Secretary) and 07733 343 377 (Chairman). You may want to save
  these numbers to your ‘Contacts’ for ease of access.
• It is essential that the conductor knows in good time, if any singers will be
  absent from any rehearsals or unable to sing in a concert. This enables him
  to plan the rehearsal schedule and identify if any additional singers will be
  invited to join the choir through the Sheffield Choirs Voice Exchange Scheme
  of which SBS is a member. The register/forward planning sheet is available
  at all rehearsals for members to signal if they are unable to sing in a particular
  concert. Even if you cannot sing in a concert, please still make every effort to
  attend all rehearsals. Sometimes the conductor will rehearse works for later
  concerts so please don’t assume that the rehearsals immediately prior to a
  concert will only be for the next concert.

OUR CHOIR PROTOCOLS

• Where performance instruction sheets are provided in advance, please
  ensure that your copy is fully marked up which in turn saves valuable singing
  time in rehearsals.
• Please bring a pencil and rubber to all rehearsals and promptly mark your
  copy with all instructions given by the conductor.
• Avoid discussing instructions during the rehearsal as this makes it difficult for
  others to hear – if any instructions are not clear or not heard, please raise
  your hand to ask for clarification OR make a note to ask at the interval or next
  rehearsal.
• Always look up so the conductor can see that everyone is ready to start
  singing.
• We want to be a friendly choir that helps each other to give the best possible
  performances. If any singers become aware that a neighbour has for
  example, not shortened the length of a note value or not modified the text
  as instructed previously by the conductor, all singers are encouraged to assist
  each other by quickly pointing this out with as little disruption as possible and
  continuing to observing the ‘not chatting’ rule!
• Sheffield Bach Society prides itself on performing more concerts during a season than many other choirs. Some concerts include major and often complex works, which can only be successful if every member is committed to attending rehearsals
  having already familiarised themselves with the music to be performed.
  YouTube or other internet links are provided to ensure members can do
  ‘homework’ on works they may not have sung before. Links and other
  supportive information can be found at Preparing for concerts
• If you do need to miss a rehearsal, please make sure you have not missed any
  performance details/instructions by speaking to another person in your voice
  part before the rehearsal or at the interval. Reducing the number of
  instructions that have to be repeated increases the amount of time spent
  singing which is in everyone’s interests.
• Announcements in rehearsal are deliberately kept to a minimum to maximise
  singing time. This approach does rely heavily on all member’s commitment
  carefully to read and observe all ‘logistical’ arrangements circulated by email
  throughout the season and especially in advance of concerts.
• Instructions for concert days are designed to ensure the professionalism and smooth running of our performance. When seating plans are circulated in advance, the Committee must reserve the right to ask people to move to a different seat
  if necessary.

In the unlikely event that any member of the choir fails to comply with these
expectations, or whose conduct at a rehearsal or concert or in any other way,
is deemed by the committee to be unacceptable, the Committee reserves the
right to ask a member to leave the choir. If you have any queries about these
expectations of members, please do not hesitate to speak to a member of
the Committee.

The Committee hope that everyone understands the need for these
protocols and will abide by them to ensure everyone involved enjoys singing
with Sheffield Bach Choir.

Thank you

Sheffield Bach Society Committee

September 2023

EXPECTATIONS OF ALL CHOIR MEMBERS September 2023 – copy to download and print

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