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TOCCATAThe Orchestra and Community Choral Artists of the Tahoe Area

Choral Code of Conduct Revision 3

The following are guidelines for choral members. Questions or concerns may be directed

to the Choral Interface (CI) listed below.

CI: Eileen Angelucci

775-267-1720

[email protected]

Attendance

TOCCATA publishes its concert series several months in advance, with a tentative

schedule for each series. You will be polled at that time to see which series you are

interested in singing. (Soloists are encouraged to make their own arrangements with thedirector.) You may opt to sing one or several concert series. Every attempt will be made

to get practice CDs and music to you for the series you select. Once you commit to aseries, we expect you to follow through and sing that series, unless you have extenuating

circumstances.

Singers (soloists excluded) will be expected to attend all but two rehearsals for each

series, including the read-through sessions held in their area; (i.e., Reno, Carson City,

Truckee, etc.). Anyone requiring more than two absences must ask permission of the

director as well as notifying the CI.

Singers are expected to sing all but one concert of a three or four concert series. Therewill be times when one of the venues will be mandatory for all singers; (e.g., Messiah atSquaw Creek Resort.). TOCCATA may, on occasion, ask a singer to change the concert

they plan to take off because of lack of coverage at a particular venue. The earlier you

can provide your planned concert schedule to the CI, the better.

Singers are expected to report promptly at the call time. If you have a last minute

emergency and you cannot be on time, call the director at 787-602-2121 to report yourproblem. We realize that there is a considerable amount of down time for the chorus

members. The director is encouraged to minimize this time but since this is not always

possible, prepare accordingly by bringing reading material, etc.

Vocal parts

Although the chorus continues to grow, TOCCATA performs large works with a

relatively small chorus. For this reason, it is important that our singers are flexible andwilling to cover parts other than their preferred part for purposes of balance. The director

prefers all singers to double entrances in which they are not singing. For example, if you

are a baritone and are not singing when the tenors have an entrance, double their


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entrance. However, singers are responsible for their own vocal health. Therefore, if you

have a limited range or it is a strain to sing that much, do not risk your own vocal health

to sing other entrances.

All altos that sing Sop.2 when there is a soprano split should be prepared to sing either

alto or soprano in the non-soprano split movements. This gives TOCCATA the ability tobetter balance womens voices in certain venues where the women are physically split;

(i.e., Trinity).

Attire

Unless otherwise stated, women (excluding soloists) wear all black attire with pearl

necklaces and pearl studs. We prefer no plunging necklines, skirts slit up high on the

thigh, or anything else that would detract from the performance. Soloists may make theirown arrangements regarding color and style of dress with the director.

Unless otherwise stated, men wear tuxedos, white shirts, black shoes, and black bow ties.

No perfume or aftershave should be worn as this causes serious allergic reactions for

some singers and orchestral players.

Folders

Unless otherwise stated, folders/covers should be black. Music scores can be spiral

bound with black covers very inexpensively at Kinkos, Office Depot, etc.

Stage presence

When processing on and off the stage, folders should be down at the side facing awayfrom the audience. Stay standing until the designated leader seats you. Raise your folder

when motioned by the director (and if you dont receive a cue for raising your folder, do

so as soon as the director raises his hand to begin the piece.) Folders should remain openon your lap when you are seated and not singing.

If already seated, stand with the orchestra when the director walks out at the beginning(or after intermission).

When on stage, sit quietly and do not talk. When you are not singing, do not follow

along in your music when others are singing/playing.

After the chorus is finished performing, close your folders and put them down to the side

that will be away from the audience if you were to process out.

If the chorus is standing when the applause begins at the end of the piece, the first bow

will be for the chorus. Keep your eyes on the director and when signaled to bow, bowfrom the neck only, hold for three seconds, and return to an erect position.

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If seated when the applause begins at the end of the piece, do not stand unless the director

asks you to rise. When the director signals, stand and bow once as above. Do not clap

and please no cat calls.

If you cannot make it through a performance without water because of health reasons, use

an enclosed bottle that contains a straw that allows you to unobtrusively take a sip.

Rehearsal etiquette

As with a performance, you are expected to arrive by the call time, properly warmed up.(TOCCATA is an adult/professional type chorus and therefore, there are no vocal warm-

ups. If enough singers arrive 10 minutes early and one of the choral directors is present,

you may ask that director to warm up the group that is already present.)

Do not talk when others are rehearsing or when the director is talking. Do not correct any

singers, soloists, pianists, or orchestral members unless you are designated as an assistant

director or section leader. If you have a question or suggestion about something in

rehearsal, raise your hand and wait to be called on by the director.

It is a good policy to mark measure numbers and rehearsal numbers in your music at thevery first rehearsal to facilitate starting/stopping during rehearsal and for asking questions

about certain passages.

TOCCATA prefers you not use any perfume or aftershave at rehearsals either but werealize that this may be difficult if you are coming from work, a meeting, etc. If it is a

rehearsal day, try to refrain from using a fragrance.

Auditions

TOCCATA will occasionally hold auditions for the entire chorus to enable the director to

properly place singers within the chorus for balance, and to ensure that the quality ofTOCCATA is being maintained. This will be a short, non-sight-reading audition and

singers will receive plenty of notice about the audition schedule.

Miscellaneous

Valuables: Purses or any other valuables should be left in your car. Your belongings

should be left in an appropriate and inconspicuous place at the venue. TOCCATA is not

responsible for any lost articles at a venue.

Communication: The main way TOCCATA communicates with the chorus is through

emails. If you are singing a series, check your email frequently, especially on rehearsalor performance days.

Publicity: As TOCCATA does not yet have an advertising budget, it is important that youspread the word to all of your friends/associates about upcoming concerts and to post as

many concert posters in your area as is feasible for you.

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Artist passes will be given out at a rehearsal shortly before each series. Each artist

receives one pass that is to be used in one of two ways only to attend a concert that you

are not performing orfor a significant other to come when you are performing.TOCCATA asks choral singers not to canvas other singers to ask whether or not they are

using their pass, so as to collect several passes for their friends. TOCCATA is trying to

develop a paying audience. Our concerts and your ability as a singer should be valuedenough that your friends will be willing to pay to hear the concert.

Guestpasses are available only to people who have expressed a strong interest inbecoming a donor. If you know someone who is a likely candidate to become a

TOCCATA donor, offer them guest passes to a concert as an incentive for them to join.

Corrections/additions

Any suggestions for improving this document may be sent to the CI as listed above.

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