Welcome!Community Chorus

Membership Handbook2015-2016

Information & Guidelines

2015-2016GSP

from the Artistic Director & Conductor

Welcome to the Garden State Philharmonic

Chorus. I am delighted that you have decided to

share your love of singing and your enthusiasm

for the performing arts and choral music with us.

Sharing your interest and talents with us contrib-

utes to our ability to fulfill our mission: “...to give

concerts of cultural and education value in and

for the community and to foster such related

activities that will encourage interest in and

appreciation of music.”

The Garden State Philharmonic Chorus’

repertoire is ever expanding, and includes the

full range of fine music from our classical choral

masterworks to pops and patriotic programs, all

to keep us challenged and our audience enter-

tained.

Again, I welcome you and look forward to

working with you as we have fun exploring fine

music and what the voice can do to bring it alive.

Anthony LaGruth

Artistic Director & Conductor

BackgroundThe Garden State Philharmonic’s Chorus is celebrating its 30thseason. The Chorus is a community initiative to nurture theappreciation of the human voice supported by the Garden StatePhilharmonic Symphony Society, Inc., a 501(c) 3 nonprofit artsorganization founded in 1955. To learn more about the GardenState Philharmonic Symphony Society visitGardenStatePhilharmonic.org.

Concert SeasonThe GSP Chorus concert season is from September to early July.During each season, the Chorus typically performs two Choral Mas-terworks with the orchestra; a Pops Program at it’s annual fundrais-ing event; a Patriotic Program for Independence Day; and outreachevents throughout the community on request. When concerts aredone in partnership with other choruses, usually two performancesof the concert will take place. Concert venues have included TheStrand Theatre in Lakewood, Christ Episcopal Church in TomsRiver, First Methodist Church of Island Heights, the Jay and LindaGrunin Center at Ocean County College, and the First PresbyterianChurch in Freehold, among others.

MembershipMembership in the Chorus is open to adult singers; high schoolseniors; and college students. Those interested are invited to join arehearsal or two following which arrangements will be made for anaudition. Once accepted into the Chorus, Membership can bemaintained through a demonstrated mastery of the music, timelydues payment, regular rehearsal attendance, and participation andsupport of fundraising efforts. Choral Members are expected toparticipate in all choral programs and events throughout theseason. Full participation is critical to ensuring the chorus’ abilityto perform at the highest caliber possible.

AuditionThe audition with our Conductor is designed to evaluate vocalpitch, intonation, musicality and rhythmic ability. There is no needto prepare music in advance.

General auditions are typically scheduled for early September ofeach season; however, individual auditions may be scheduledthroughout the year.

DuesThe Garden State Philharmonic Chorus collects dues from its mem-bers at the beginning of the September performance season. Thereare two tiers of membership dues: one for adults and a reduced ratefor students. The current cost for dues is $85.00 for adults, and $50for students. Confirm rates as these are subject to change with eachseason. Upon request, arrangements can be made for installmentpayments. Membership does not include the music, which variesfrom year to year. Purchased music is retained by the members.

Rehearsal & AttendanceWeekly Chorus rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings from7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Most rehearsals take place either in Room A117of the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts or in the GatewayBuilding Lecture Hall Room 104 at Ocean County College. Membersare expected to be on time, seated and ready to sing by 7:20p.m. Each concert in the season is preceded by about 8-10 rehears-als, and regular attendance is expected. Notice of an anticipatedabsence due to illness or other conflict should be relayed in advanceto the Chorus Manager. Individual absences adversely affect the pre-paredness of a section and, in turn, the effectiveness and balance ofthe entire Chorus. Members who have significant absences duringthe season may be subject to an evaluation and asked to demon-strate proficiency in the music. Following the vocal assessment, theConductor will determine a member’s concert readiness and ability.

Dress Rehearsals & Choral WorkshopsAn all-day Saturday choral workshop will be conducted prior to eachconcert performance during the season. Participation in the Satur-day workshop and dress rehearsal with the Garden State Philhar-monic Orchestra is required. In the event of extenuating circum-stances, please contact the Choral Manager. Members may reachthe Choral Manager to provide notice of illness, late arrival or ab-sence via email: Lynrab@comcast.net, or by phone: (609) 660-9599.

Rehearsal CancellationIn the event of inclement weather that closes Ocean County College,chorus rehearsal will be cancelled. Call the Garden State Philhar-monic Office, check your email, and/or call the Choral Manager toconfirm.

Rehearsal Etiquette Rehearsals begin at 7:30 pm and Members should be ready to

sing at that time. Please refrain from engaging the Conductor in administrative or

organizational issues. Contact/discuss such issues with theChoral Manager. The Conductor’s role is to focus on the music.

Prepare during the week for rehearsals. Review the music to de-velop familiarity with the composer’s/arranger’s markings fordynamics, tempos, articulations, etc.

Use the cyberbass.com website for masterworks rehearsal re-cordings to use from home via your computer, or other materi-als provided.

BRING A PENCIL: Members are responsible for marking theirmusic with comments made by the Conductor so time is notlost week to week reviewing the same directions. Markingmusic helps convey the techniques that will enhance thechorus’ ability to perform as one unit. For a missed rehearsalcheck with your seat neighbor for the Conductor’s directionsfrom the previous week.

Bring a tape recorder to weekly rehearsal to record parts anddirections.

Please be considerate of those around you who may haveallergies and do not wear aftershave, cologne, perfume,scented body lotions, hairsprays, etc., to weekly rehearsals,choral workshops or concerts.

MusicSeasonal programming and concert music selection are determinedby the Artistic Director and Conductor. Masterworks scores andsheet music will be ordered as needed, and each Chorus member isexpected to bear the cost of same. Purchased music becomes theproperty and responsibility of the member. In the event music isborrowed from another organization’s music library, it must be re-turned in good condition or a fee will be charged for replacement.

For Concerts, music must be placed in a black folder. To purchase aspecial choral music folder, go towww.musicfolder.com.

Concert Dress Women: A two-piece uniform floor-length dress which

must be purchased through a catalog house (handled bya volunteer member). Alternatively a floor length blackevening skirt/ pants with a black short-sleeved eveningtop. Black stockings, black closed toe shoes, and a strandof pearls. For outdoor summer concerts, a short-sleevedwhite (not off-white) top, floor length black evening skirt/pants, black stockings, black closed toe shoes, and astrand of pearls.

Men: Black Tuxedo, white shirt, black bow tie, blackshoes and socks. Outdoor summer concert: a short-sleeved white shirt, tie, black pants, black shoes, blacksocks.

Please...no cologne, perfume, scented after-shave, etc.

Concert TicketsChorus Members are expected to sell a minimum number of ticketsto concerts. Concert Ticket order forms are distributed prior to eachconcert for sale to family and friends at a discount off the regularticket price.

FundraisingThe Garden State Philharmonic Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) artsorganization. As such, it conducts fundraising activities throughoutthe year to support the GSP Chorus program. Ticket sales onlygenerate approximately 40% of the operating funds required, so theremaining 60% of operating capital must be raised through specialevents, grants, donations, sponsorships and seasonal dues. Theactive participation of every Chorus member in fundraising activitiesis not only encouraged, but expected. The proceeds generatedthrough the fundraising activities overseen by the Chorus membersunderwrite many of the financial obligations related to the program,which include, but are not limited to, expenses for the hire and em-ploy of the Music Director, Accompanist, and professional musicians(both orchestral and vocal soloists); fees for concert hall and equip-ment rental; ASCAP music licensing; and associated costs relating topublicity and program promotion.

It is through your participation and support of the Garden State Phil-harmonic’s on-going fundraising activities that we may ensure thelegacy of the Chorus program.

New Jersey and the surrounding community an opportunity to per-form with world-class musicians; and that audience members of allages who enjoy listening to beautiful music are able to do so formany generations to come.

Opportunities for involvement in fundraising include: Personally contributing to the Garden State Philhar-

monic; Soliciting and/or donating merchandise for our annual

auction event; Soliciting community businesses/donors/corporate

sponsors for underwriting of concert and fundraisingevents;

Selling tickets to family and friends for fundraisingevents;

Volunteering time and talent to fulfill administrative,committee, and organizational concert and event needs;

Participating in merchandise sale programs; and Identifying and soliciting prospects for membership and/

or opportunities for performance that contribute to ourincreased visibility.

GeneralThis Membership Handbook is your guide for your participation inthe Garden State Philharmonic Chorus. For more information, ques-tions, etc., please see the Choral Manager.

Garden State Philharmonic Symphony Society

PresidentKenneth J. Malagiere

Vice PresidentsMario A. MaranoJim Buffum

Interim TreasurerJim Buffum

SecretaryLynda E. Rabens*

Members At LargeAnn Marie Baker

Estelle Brodkey*

Sylvia Davis

Rosalie Harvey^

Judith G. Leone*

Renee Lomell

Karen C. Porcello*

Advisory BoardLinda Abramson

Rev. Herbert G. Draesel

Rita Kearney

Michael O’Brien

*Indicates past President.

^Indicates Friends of the GSP

representative.

Board of Directors

Administrative & Artistic Team

Chorus AccompanistStanley Fink

Youth Orchestras Program Instructors/ConductorsSymphonic Youth Orchestra Concert Youth Orchestra

Susan DeGoey Justin LeeString Ensemble

Elizabeth Lee

Artistic Director & Conductor

Anthony LaGruth

Garden State Philharmonic Symphony Society, Inc.Ocean County College - 1 College Drive, P. O. Box 2001

Toms River, New Jersey 08754Phone: (732) 255-0460 Fax: (732) 255-0478

www.gardenstatephilharmonic.orgEmail: info@gardenstatephilharmonic. org

Managing Director Bookkeeper Office Assistant

Thomas Stephens Barbara Hoopengardner Jennifer Costello

Auditors

Jump, Scutellaro & Company, LLP, Toms River, New Jersey

Conductor Anthony LaGruth hasdelight-ed audiences and criticsalike with many exciting perform-ances recognized for their innova-tive presentation of orchestralmusic. Roxanne Orgill of the BergenRecord (NJ) observed that, “Mr.LaGruth conducts with subtlety anda refined sense of style that is re-freshing.” The Ellsworth American(Maine) noted his “…control,musicianship, and involvement withthe music.”, and Michael Greenbergof the San Antonio Express-Newssaid, “Maestro LaGruth brought crispdefinition, dramatic sensitivity, andstylishly flexible tempos to thescore.” A versatile musician, Mr.LaGruth has shown that he is equallyat home leading orchestral, operatic,and choral ensembles. He iscurrently serving as the ArtisticDirector and Conductor of the Gar-den State Philharmonic (NJ) and theShrewsbury Chorale (NJ).

Mr. LaGruth has worked with someof the greatest composers of ourage, including Hans Werner Henze,John Corigliano, and Pulitzer Prizewinner Karel Husa, and hascollaborated with a wide range ofsoloists including Frederica vonStade, Judith Ingolfsson, PhilipSmith, Christopher Collins Lee, andNeil Sedaka.

A proponent of American music, Mr.LaGruth is one of the co-founders ofthe American Symphony OrchestraLeague’s commissioning project,Ford Made in America. This programoffers regional orchestras through-out the country the opportunity to

commission works by majorAmerican composers. This projectmade its debut in 2005 to nationalacclaim with a work by Joan Tower,with 65 orchestras representing all50 states. Mr. LaGruth recently madehis European debut in Romanialeading concerts with severalorchestras including the statephilharmonics of Satu Mare,Botosani, and Raumnica Valcea. Healso made his Lincoln Center debutleading a young artists concertoconcert at Alice Tully Hall.

Noted by his colleagues for hisrapport with audiences, Mr. LaGruthbuilds relationships with his listenersthrough many outreach programsand his popular pre-concert discus-sions, Musically Speaking. Whethereducating and entertainingstudents in a Music for Young Peopleconcert or chatting informally withaudience members, Mr. LaGruthfinds innovative ways to bridge thegap between new audiences andclassical music.

An honors graduate of IthacaCollege, Mr. LaGruth earned amaster’s degree in orchestral con-ducting and a bachelor degree incomposition. He also attended theworld-renowned Pierre MonteuxSchool for Conductors, where hewas a conducting fellow under thetutelage of Charles Bruck andMichael Jinbo. Mr. LaGruth hasenjoyed a close association with thePierre Monteux School and hasserved on the staff of that institution.He serves as an adjunct facultymember of both Georgian CourtUniversity and Ocean CountyCollege. Mr. LaGruth is a memberof the Board of Directors of theConductors Guild, a national serviceorganization for conductors.

ABOUT THE MAESTRO

Anthony LaGruth

2015-2016 KEY PROGRAM DATES

Garden State Philharmonic Chorus’Messiah & More!Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.Christ Episcopal Church, 415 Washington StreetToms River, NJ 08753

Members of the GSP Chorus herald the season with one of the best-known choral works in Western music, Messiah. Instrumental accom-paniment by an ensemble from the Garden State Philharmonic Sym-phony Orchestra.

(Public) Ticket Prices:General Admission: Adults $25, Seniors (60+) $20, Students (w/ID) $15

Chorus members receive special ticket prices for this concert. Consultthe Chorus Manager for details.

Orchestra Series: Beethoven’s Ninth!Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 2:30 p.m.The Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701

(Public) Ticket Prices:Orchestra/Loge:Adults $48.00, Seniors (60+) $42.00, Students (w/ID) $18.00Mezzanine/Balcony:Adults $42.00, Seniors (60+) $38, Students (w/ID) $12.00

A per order service and handling fee will be added to all orders.Groups of 10 or more receive substantial discounts.

Chorus members receive special ticket prices for this concert. Consultthe Chorus Manager for details.

MORE DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR (As of 7/20/15)

Celebrate America!Ocean County Dept. of Parks and Recreation’sCarousel of Music Summer SeriesJuly 4, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. - FREE community event.Ocean County/Toms River Library, Washington StreetToms River, NJ 08753

Garden State Philharmonic Chorus performs Carols for Santa*Friday, November 13, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.FREE community event.Ocean County Mall, Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753

(Partially replicated Program—See May22, 2016)Beethoven’s Ninth!with The Shrewsbury ChoraleDate & Time To Be AnnouncedTicket fees apply. Contact The Shrewsbury ChoraleLocation Jackson TBD

13th Annual Choral Pops Dinner & Gift Auction*(Themed title yet determined)Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. (Seating to start at 5:30 p.m.)Fees apply. Fund and Friend-raising event.Ramada Inn, Versailles Ballroom, 2373 Route 9Toms River, NJ 08753*

* Program dates, locations and details subject to change.

Garden State Philharmonic Symphony Society, Inc.Ocean County College - 1 College Drive, P. O. Box 2001

Toms River, New Jersey 08754Phone: (732) 255-0460 Fax: (732) 255-0478

www.gardenstatephilharmonic.orgEmail:info@gardenstatephilharmonic. org

The Garden State Philharmonic Symphony Societyis a proud member of

The programs of the Garden State Philharmonic Symphony Society,D.B.A. Garden State Philharmonic, are made possible, in part, by a grant fromthe New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National

Endowment for the Arts, and the addition generous support of the following: