Please save this information for future use

1. GREETINGS! Linda and I are excited to welcome you to this season’s COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CANTATA CHOIR! This “welcome memo” is revised from past seasons, so please read it thoroughly. We have selected “A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING”. We pray that God will be pleased and glorified as we worship and praise God and minister to others in song. Our piano accompanist is Gayle Hennicke. We are not a “select” group of singers assembled by audition, but we are Called to honor God with excellence through the very best music we can perform. In that respect, it is important that we blend our voices. We are not all individual soloists, but a choir Called together to blend our talents as one. Thank you very much for your commitment to our Lord and your respect and trust in Linda and Lee’s shared leadership! Lee will direct while Linda works specifically with technical aspects of our preparation and soloists. God bless you in this wonderful ministry. All participants ~ please find Prayer Partners for yourselves!
2. REHEARSAL DATES & TIMES:
   
   1. October 5, Monday, 7-9pm
   2. October 12, Monday, 7-9pm
   3. October 19, Monday, 7-9pm with synth
   4. October 26, Monday, 7-9pm with synth
   5. November 2, Monday, 7-9pm with synth
   6. November 7, Saturday, 9:30am-noon with synth & bass
   7. November 9, Monday, 7-9pm with all above & guitar & drums
   8. November 14, Saturday, 9:30am-noon with all above
   9. November 16, Monday, 7-9pm with sound system, flute, clarinet & all above
   10. November 21, Saturday, 9:30am-noon with all above & kids
   11. November 23, Monday, 7-9:30pm with all above
   12. November 28, Saturday, 9:30am-noon with all above; run thru twice
   13. November 30, Monday, 7-9:30pm with all above; run thru twice
   14. December 1, Tuesday, 7-9:30pm with all above; run thru twice TENTATIVE

        

3. NO FOOD OR DRINK in the church with the exception of water bottles, which are allowed only on the floor. Please leave dirty shoes at the door Thank you to this congregation for warmly hosting us again! We must be gracious guests, respecting this facility and our hosts’ traditions, returning this area to its pre-rehearsal condition (or better).
   1. We do NOT have permission to move the host choir’s equipment, music stands, etc.
   2. We do NOT have permission to enter the Chapel area behind the folding doors.
   3. Remember where you find what you need to use or move and return it exactly as you found it. We are encouraged to take pictures if necessary.

4. CHECKING IN: Please sign in with your name, singing part, telephone number, your email address (if any), and then pay for your songbook (required @ $15) and optional listening CD (@ $20). If you are uncertain, please let us help you find your appropriate part. You may be asked to sing a different part if it is found that your voice is better suited elsewhere. Mark your name inside your book with your pencil. If you leave the choir, we will attempt to help you sell your materials to another participant (or an audience member). We cannot return any materials to our supplier for a refund or credit.
    
   

5. WEEKLY GROUND RULES:

1. Ask for the help you and your section need, but if you have a comment for the director or assistant, please do not interrupt a rehearsal. You may email your concerns or pass a note prior to or after rehearsal. All such contributions will be read and considered, but not all will be acted upon.
2. In order for us to start and finish on time, use your arrival and departure for fellowship, however, our set up and and tear down efforts can use your help. Please be ready to begin on time for rehearsals with music and pencil. If you must arrive late or depart early, please respect the choir by doing so with minimal disruption.
3. BRING A PENCIL to every rehearsal and, as we work through the music, MARK YOUR BOOK to remind yourself of what we work on from session to session (so we don’t need to repeat the same corrections at subsequent rehearsals).
4. We will start every session with prayer and vocal exercises. Seeking more efficient and coordinated vocal function, you will be encouraged to hold your jaw and do proper breathing to produce a clear, resonant sound. This should result in greater endurance and sound quality which will help with your singing abilities.
5. Please be sensitive to, and respect, the needs, sensitivities and allergies of other singers by avoiding the use of perfumes, aftershaves, colognes, fragrant soaps, hairsprays, lotions, smoking, garlic and onions prior to rehearsals and performances. (Note that clothing will retain fragrances used during a previous wearing.)
6. Do as much as you can between rehearsals to learn your part and build your confidence.
7. Due to the size of the group, please help us stay focused and on-task, refraining from distractive conversation, comments or behavior during rehearsals. We have much to accomplish in only a dozen rehearsals.
8. If you would like to lead our opening prayer, please let us know.

6. AUDITIONS AND HELP: Tell us immediately if you wish to audition for a solo and which song(s). There are no duets or trios. Prepare the part you want to sing. We would like to begin plugging people in right away. If there are many who wish to be considered and we already know the characteristics of your voice, you may or may not be asked to audition. We respectfully ask that there be no applause after auditions. If you would like to encourage singers, please do so privately after rehearsals. We hope to have an “understudy” for each primary soloist for situations such as illness and scheduling conflicts. Understudies may not actually be called upon to sing. We will hear individuals for solo parts during our regular rehearsals. You may or may not be asked to sing an entire song. Although you may sing something several times, please do not assume the part is yours until you are told so just prior to our performance season. If we offer suggestions on how a song can be improved, please be open and take our remarks constructively.

   We need help with promotion, audio, video, risers and a sponsor to pick up some expenses associated with the production.

7. SUGGESTIONS: The following are some suggestions for singers. Please keep this information for future reference.

1. Don’t shout, cheer or chant loudly or converse in a noisy environment.
2. Don’t consume dairy products just before singing.
3. Don’t drink beverages containing alcohol or caffeine (including mouthwashes and gargles). These dehydrate you.
4. Don’t clear your throat or cough frequently.
5. Don’t practice singing over loud music.
6. Don’t try to hit the highest or lowest notes in your range more than once or twice while practicing.
7. Drink eight glasses of free liquids per day to keep oral secretions thinned. Add a little lemon juice to your water.
8. Avoid whispering.
9. Limit speaking during the day you plan to sing.
10. Warm up in an easy manner before singing.

8. COMMUNICATION: Periodic updates will be broadcast by email. Paper copies will be available for those not using email. The choir’s website, www.CantataChoir.org, will occasionally be updated with information for choir members, potential participants and audience members. Check it frequently. A phone tree will be developed to help us distribute last-minute information such as the cancellation or postponement of a rehearsal or performance due to inclement weather. Please contact me if you cannot attend a rehearsal, either the week earlier, by note, telephone (503-662-3926), fax (503-662-4270), cellular (Lee 503-939-1562; Linda 503-312-1708) or email (Lee@FruithillInc.com). Please also call (after noon the day of) if you are uncertain if weather or other conditions may have resulted in cancellation of a rehearsal or performance.
    
   

   Please communicate with me in written or electronic form so I don’t lose track of what is said during the commotion of a rehearsal. Please give a note to me very soon if you wish to be considered for a solo.