Welcome!

The Santa Fe Symphony Chorus has a considerable history of musical excellence in choral performance. The Chorus of Santa Fe was founded in 1979, five years before the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra. In 1986, that chorus joined the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra to form the present organization known as the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (SFSO&C). As a result the symphony gained a choral component, and the chorus acquired an orchestra to provide symphonic settings to choral music.

Membership in the chorus is voluntary. The chorus is committed to polished, well-rehearsed performances meeting the very highest of professional standards. The cost of sheet music, vocal workshops and study aids is defrayed by annual dues assessed each member and payable to the treasurer at the first rehearsal. The SFSO&C pays the salaries of the chorus director and a rehearsal pianist.

Chorus membership is by audition, and members are expected to re-audition every year to remain in the chorus. The chorus director holds auditions and has the final word about the participation of any chorus member.

This handbook describes our commonly agreed upon protocol and some fairly obvious notions governing rehearsal and performance. It supplements a more formal document, the chorus Rules of Operation, which describes the conditions under which the chorus shall function in order to sustain and promote the artistic standards of the chorus. Each season we will also provide a directory containing contact information for the choral director, council members and rehearsal pianist, as well as a roster of members.

Our Website www.santafesc.org was created as a communication tool for current singers, accompanists, directors and others supporting the Santa Fe Symphony Chorus. It contains information on concerts, full choral and sectional rehearsal schedules, and other pertinent information, such as scores, allowed absences and rehearsal tapes and CDs. Email communication will be used as the primary means of updating singers and others as needed.

The chorus director and the chorus council are delighted that you have joined the Santa Fe Symphony Chorus and look forward to a long and mutually enjoyable association.

Mission Statement:

The primary objective of the Santa Fe Symphony Chorus is to perform choral literature written for chorus and orchestra at the highest level of mastery.

Section 1 Rehearsal Protocol

The most important commitment you have made by joining the chorus is to attend all rehearsals, arriving promptly – even if you consider yourself to be an experienced and seasoned singer. When you miss rehearsals it is difficult to achieve ensemble sound, balance or uniform interpretation of music and text.

• For every repertory a minimum number of required rehearsals is listed on the rehearsal schedule. Failure to attend that number of rehearsals, plus all concert week rehearsal, may make singers ineligible to sing in concerts. A “make-up” rehearsal will be scheduled for each repertory that will count for one missed rehearsal.

• Regularly scheduled rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings, at a time and venue to be announced at the beginning of every season.

• You will be given rehearsal and performance schedules (as well as concert week rehearsal dates that may be changed later) at the beginning of the season. Should there be scheduling conflicts for you, please inform the chorus director as soon as possible. The schedule shows the order in which music will be covered in rehearsals.

• Bring a pencil to rehearsal and use it. The chorus director will have a stream of performance requests concerning musical interpretation, pronunciation of text, etc. Mark your scores carefully and thoroughly, just as orchestra members mark theirs. Do not think you can rely on your memory! Internalizing this information in rehearsal will enable you to keep your eyes on the conductor at the performance.

• Please let the attendance supervisor know prior to rehearsal if you are going to be absent or late, and get in touch with someone in your section afterwards for updates concerning musical performance matters, preparation for next rehearsal, schedule changes, etc. Also please inform the attendance supervisor in writing (email is OK) if you are going to miss a repertory or leave the group.

• Be on time – this means being in your seat 5 minutes before the rehearsal call. Allow for bad weather, parking problems, issuing of music, etc. Tardiness shows lack of respect for the conductor and fellow choristers; it also may cause unwarranted interruption.

• Your commitment to the Santa Fe Symphony Chorus implies preparing your music prior to rehearsals. (Enumerate measure numbers, highlight your part, insert tabs, etc.) You are also encouraged to spend some time with your scores at home each week in order to come better prepared at the next rehearsal. Try to learn the notes at home so you will be ready to sing in ensemble.

• Know the meaning and pronunciation of foreign texts and sing with understanding thereof!

• Please respect the sensitivities and health problems of fellow choristers and do not wear any scented grooming products to rehearsals, e.g., no perfume, cologne, hair spray, after-shave lotion or scented deodorant.

• Break periods are the same as for the orchestra – 5 to 10 minutes break after 60 minutes of rehearsal.

• If you want to make a general announcement, please check with the chorus director before the beginning of rehearsal.

• As a matter of common courtesy, please wait until after rehearsals for any individual consultation with the chorus director, return to your seat promptly after break is over, and refrain from chatting with your neighbors. This latter is a particularly common problem in choruses. All of these take precious time away from the rehearsal. Treat others with courtesy and respect.

Section 2 Concert Dress

For most concerts, certainly for all joint concerts with the orchestra, our dress code is as follows:

• Ladies: Black formal attire. A one or two-piece ankle-length dress – or black pants and top – with conservative neckline and long sleeves, black shoes and black hose. Conservative jewelry is acceptable, glittery material is not.

• Gentlemen: Black formal attire. Black tuxedos (not tails) or appropriate black suit, black bow ties, long-sleeved white shirt (not necessarily tux shirt), black shoes and socks. Cummerbunds, conservative shirt studs and cuff links may be worn.

• As for rehearsals, no scented grooming products may be worn.

Section 3 Performance Protocol

• Your music should be enclosed in your own black folder unless otherwise instructed.

• Turn pages carefully and quietly.

• Stand up and sit down as quietly as possible.

• Whether sitting or standing, be still – resist fidgeting, foot-tapping, any unnecessary distraction, and do not wave at your friends in the audience.

Section 4 Other Issues

• Help: Chorus officers and council members are there for you in the event you have suggestions, complaints, or personal needs to be met.

• Do your bit: Our ultimate success can be measured by the size of our audiences. Encourage your family, friends and associates to attend concerts. If you can contribute to fund drives, it will be gratefully received, but you will not be pressured to do so. We may ask you to help out now and then with fund raising activities. If you know of good choral singers who might like to sing with us, ask them to talk to the chorus director or a council member.

• Tickets: Nominal discounts are available to you for chorus and symphony concerts by calling the office at 983-1414. Call at least 24 hours in advance, and earlier for less expensive tickets.

• Volunteers: The Santa Fe Symphony and Chorus business office has an unlimited need for volunteers and will appreciate any time you can volunteer.

• Participation: We hope you will participate fully in all of our activities, especially in the annual election procedure. The chorus is our (and your) chorus, and we want you to be fully a part of it. And this can only happen if you join everyone else and play your part.

Section 5 Disciplinary Action

We expect professional standards of ourselves as well as from each other. This includes punctuality, marking our scores, home preparation and attendance at rehearsals. Remembering this should forestall any occasion for disciplinary action, which is covered in the Rules of Operation.

Section 6 Annual Meetings

Annual meetings and election of the seven members of the chorus council are described in the Rules of Operation governing the Santa Fe Symphony and Chorus.