Enfield Choral Society Handbook 2014

20

Key Dates 2014-2015

Spring 2014 (7 January – 12 April 2014)

Term Starts – Tuesday 7 January 2014

Soloist Audition Workshop – Saturday 1 March 2014

Thursday Rehearsal – Thursday 10 April 2014

Spring Concert – Saturday 12 April 2014

Summer 2014 (22 April – 12 July 2014)

Term Starts – Tuesday 22 April 2014

Music Festival - Tuesday 6 May 2014

Thursday Rehearsal – Thursday 10 July 2014

Summer Concert – Saturday 12 July 2014

Autumn 2014 (2 Sept – 20 December 2014)

Term Starts – Tuesday 2 September 2014

AGM – Tuesday 7 October 2014

Thursday Rehearsal – Thursday 6 November 2014

Autumn Concert – Saturday 8 November 2014

Christmas Concert – Saturday 20 December 2014

Spring 2015 (6 January – 24 March 2015)

Term starts – Tuesday 6 January 2015

Summer 2015 (14 April – 24 July 2015)

Term starts – Tuesday 14 April 2015

1 Registered charity No. 293997

Enfield Choral

Society

Members

Handbook

2014

2

Contents Introduction 3

Rehearsals and Performances 3

Repertoire 4

Professional Personnel 4

Musical Director

Assistant Musical Director

Rehearsal Accompanist

Expectations of Members 5

Attendance

Practice between rehearsals

Providing and updating contact details

Concert Participation and Informing the Committee

Concert Dress

Opportunities for Members 7

Solo/Ensemble Singing

Other Performance Opportunities

Using ‘Making Music’ Resources

Volunteering to help run ECS

Finances 9

Membership fees

The Ticket Levy

Gift Aid

Selling concert tickets

Friends of Enfield Choral Society

Fund-raising events

ECS Easy Fund Raising Account

Grants

Running the Choir: Who does what? 12

Role Descriptions and Contact Details 14

Membership/Committee Contact 18

If you do not use email

ECS Suggestions Book

The Annual General Meeting

Website 19

Key Dates 2014-15 20

19

The Annual General Meeting

The AGM is usually held at the beginning of a rehearsal in October. This

is when Committee members are elected and it is a chance for

members to ask questions and raise issues about the running of the

society. If you are interested in being nominated for a committee

position please speak to one of the current committee members. We

are always looking for people to stand.

Occasionally it is necessary to hold an Extraordinary General

Meeting to consider a specific issue that requires the membership's

vote before the next AGM.

Website: www.enfieldchoralsociety.org.uk It is planned to redesign the ECS website during 2014 to include a

Members Section and to enable individual committee members to

update information concerning areas for which they take

responsibility.

18

Programme Committee

Voice Part Representatives

Soprano: Justine Marlowe

Tel: 020 8245 6910 / 07768 924161

Email: [email protected]

Alto: Edel McGinley (Contact details under Voice Part Leads,

above)

Tenor: Roddy Elmer (Contact details under Voice Part Leads,

above)

Bass: Mike Seignior (Contact details under Chair, above)

Membership/Committee Contact The main methods of contact between the ECS Committee and members

as a group are by announcements and notices at rehearsals and by

email. Circulars to the whole choir are sent by the Secretary, Penelope

Williams. On occasion, Voice Part Leads may send circulars to their

section.

If you do not use email

Please link up with someone in your voice part who is prepared to pass

on copies of emails and attachments and let the Secretary know who

your ‘link’ is. The Membership Secretary or Your Voice Part Lead will

help you find someone if necessary.

The ECS Suggestions Book

This can be found at back of the rehearsal hall each week. It can be used

for your ideas on any choir-related matters. Examples might include

ideas for: publicity; new possible concert venues for the committee to

check out; future programmes; new ECS initiatives; constructive

criticism relating to rehearsals, concerts or other aspects of ECS activi-

ties/management. The book is checked frequently and your ideas and

comments will be considered as appropriate. We now have a standard

item ‘From the suggestion book’ on the ECS committee agenda to ensure

that we review it regularly.

3

Introduction Enfield Choral Society (ECS) was founded in 1938 and has grown in

stren gth over the years. The ECS constitution can be viewed on our

website .www.enfieldchoralsociety.org.uk. We have a reputation for

maintaining a high standard, whilst at the same time remembering that

singing should be fun and enjoyable.

Membership is open to everyone over the age of sixteen and there are

currently approximately 80 members. We are a local choir in that most

members live within the London Borough of Enfield, coming from many

different parts of the borough. You don’t have to live in Enfield to

belong, however, and we have a few members living further afield. We

aim to be inclusive and accessible. No auditions are required, but a good

singing voice and enthusiasm are essential.

Rehearsals and Performances ECS meets every Tuesday evening during the school year, in Trinity

Church Hall, Church Street, Enfield EN2 6AN from 7:45 pm to 9:45 pm.

During rehearsals we stop for a short break at approximately 8:45 pm.

In the break refreshments are available (organised by the Social Sub-

committee) for a small charge. The year runs from September to July.

We perform four concerts a year, on Saturday evenings in November,

December (Christmas Concert), March or April, and July at venues in the

London Borough of Enfield. There are usually additional rehearsals at

the concert venue during the week before a concert. These generally

take place on the Thursday before the concert and on the Saturday

afternoon. These extra rehearsals enable the choir to rehearse with

organ or orchestral accompaniment and guest soloists.

Music for the concerts is hired for the Society by the librarian. ECS music

folders are usually used for concerts. These are obtainable from the

Treasurer to purchase or hire.

4

Repertoire We perform mainly classical choral works, recently including works by

Verdi, Duruflé and Vaughan Williams. The summer concert is usually

much ‘lighter’ e.g.: ‘Pink Champagne’, extracts from ‘Gilbert and

Sullivan’ and ‘Songs from the Shows’. Over the last few years we have

also sung pieces composed by a member of the society, works arranged

by our Musical Director, in conjunction with a children’s choir, and with

a jazz band. The Christmas concert generally includes a number of short

seasonal pieces, with traditional carols and more unusual music.

Our repertoire is selected by the Musical Director in consultation with

the Programme Committee. This committee normally meets annually in

January or February to plan the programme for the following year (i.e.

2014 meeting plans for 2015). Each voice part has a representative on

the Programme Committee. All ECS members are welcome to suggest

programme items, either through their representative or via the

Suggestions Book available at the back of the rehearsal hall.

Professional Personnel

Musical Director

Mark Sproson has directed ECS since 2004 and is an extremely talented

and experienced musician. He has been responsible for directing a

number of ambitious works with ECS such as Rachmaninov’s Vespers

and Rutter’s Mass of the Children. He has sung with a number of

high-profile choirs, performing regularly in London’s major concert

venues and on BBC radio and television, and now specialises in choral

conducting. Mark founded his chamber choir ‘HELIOS Voices’ in 1999

and has since gone on to direct numerous choral societies and workplace

choirs and professional groups. His choral compositions and arrange-

ments have been performed by some of the UK’s top choirs.

Assistant Musical Director

The committee has recently decided to appoint an Assistant Musical

Director, who will take rehearsals in the Musical Director’s absence.

This will also facilitate rehearsals of different voice parts at the same

time, using the church as well as the church hall. 17

Vivien Taylor (‘Friends’ Secretary)

Tel: 020 8366 4997 / 07793 082 991


Vivien deals with enquiries about joining the ‘Friends of ECS’ scheme.

She ensures that ‘Friends’ receive their complimentary concert tickets

and have reserved seats, regarding which she liaises with the Concert

Manager. She invites Friends to ECS AGM and social events. She collects

‘Friends’ application forms and subscriptions and passes these to the

Treasurer.

Rosie Turvil (Facebook Page Manager)


Rosie has constructed the ECS Facebook Page, which she maintains, and

has opened our Twitter account.

Voice Part Leads Contact your Voice Part Lead about any concerns re learning/singing

your part and other section-related issues. They set up additional

rehearsals for their section as required.

1st Sopranos: Helen Seignior Email: [email protected]

Tel: 01992 764172 / 07533 994613

2nd Sopranos: Sandra Leah Email: [email protected]

Tel: 020 8363 2739 / 07946 481857

Altos: Edel McGinley Email: [email protected]

Tel: 020 8245 1688 / 07948 979756

Tenors: Roddy Elmer Email: [email protected]

Tel: 020 8363 1390;

Basses: Ian Mackenzie Email: [email protected]

Tel: 0208 360 8517 / 07736 613846

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Sue Jeffreys (Social Secretary)

Tel: 020 3231 0049 / 07973 427799


Sue and the Social Subcommittee are responsible for organising

refreshments for concerts and for weekly rehearsals. She leads the Sub-

committee in arranging our social and fundraising events.

Lesley Jordan (Membership)

Tel: 020 8360 3356 / 07905 815959


Lesley handles enquiries from prospective members. She organises

collection of membership application forms and subscriptions, liaising

with the Treasurer. She takes and responds to applications to the Hard-

ship Fund, in consultation with the Treasurer. She maintains the ECS

membership database, including the Register, and deals with any

membership queries. After consulting the Musical Director, she produces

the choir seating plan for each concert with the Concert Manager.

Philip Elmer (Gift Aid Secretary)

Using information supplied by the Membership Secretary, Philip

completes and submits the ECS application to HMRC for Gift Aid money

due.

Cheryl Humphreys (Email Audience Circulation List)


Cheryl has taken on the construction and maintenance of the email

circulation list for people wishing to be informed of forthcoming ECS con-

certs. Circulates flyer for each concert. Please let Cheryl have any names

and e-addresses for this list.

Frieda Rodwell (Concert tickets)

Ticket Hotline: 07856 793434


Frieda handles concert ticket orders from choir members and the public.

She keeps a record of each member’s take-up of Levy Tickets. She also

liaises with the Front of House team regarding ticket sales at the door. 5

Rehearsal Accompanist

Caroline Soresby studied music at Goldsmith’s College and followed this

with a postgraduate year studying piano accompaniment at Trinity

College of Music. During this time she also studied harpsichord with

Valda Aveling. She now divides her time between teaching and

performing; she has taught for the London Borough of Redbridge for a

number of years and now has a busy private teaching practice. Caroline

performs regularly as an accompanist and chamber musician and has

worked as an accompanist with the North London Festival for the last

few years. Caroline has been playing with the Enfield Choral Society

since 2007. She enjoys singing with the altos when not needed for our

concerts as a pianist.

Expectations of Members

Attendance

Regular attendance at rehearsals is expected. You are asked to mark

weekly attendance on the register placed at the back of the rehearsal

hall. If you have to miss several consecutive rehearsals a message to the

Membership Secretary and/or your Voice Part Lead would be

appreciated. Please also let us know if another member is absent due to

health problems.

Practice between rehearsals

All members are expected to practise between rehearsals. This is

essential if we are to achieve high standards of performance in the

limited time available. Where possible, links will be provided for

programme items to on-line voice part rehearsal resources. Websites

that offer free rehearsal files in which the part is played on an

instrument include:

John Fletcher Music www.johnfletchermusic.me.uk

Choralia www.choralia.net

Cyberbass www.cyberbass.com

Cyberbass also produces rehearsal CDs

6

Another rehearsal aid already used by some ECS members is Saffron

Choral Prompt www.saffronchoralprompt.co.uk. This is run by Quintus

Benziger, who provides CDs for different voice parts. As each part is

sung these CDs (unlike the free resources listed above) help with words

and pronunciation as well as the music. There is a charge per CD, which

is reduced for multiple copies. Voice Part Leads will establish the

number of CDs required for their part so that a single order can be made.

Such resources enable singers to practise their parts easily and

accurately, whether or not they read music and without the need for a

piano. In addition, Voice Part Leads are prepared to organise part-

specific rehearsals where needed. Please let your Voice Part Leader

know if you would like such extra group practice.

Providing and updating contact details

New members are asked for their contact details when they borrow

musical scores from ECS, and complete the Application Form when their

subscription becomes due after attending three rehearsals. Continuing

members complete the Application Form annually at the start of the

Autumn term when paying their subscription. The Membership

Secretary should be informed of any change to your contact details

during the year, so that the membership database can be updated. The

Application Form also enables confirmation/change of Gift Aid status

Concert Participation

and Informing the Committee

Members are normally expected to sing in each concert, but it is

understood and accepted that there may be occasions when this is not

possible. The Musical Director and Committee need to know not only

numbers of singers for each concert, but also the number in each voice

part and who to include in the seating plan.

The easiest way of providing this information is to put a tick (or a cross if

you can’t participate) in the concert date column, on the register. It is

helpful if you can indicate whether or not you intend to sing in the

next concert at least 6 weeks in advance. It is each member’s

responsibility to ensure that this is done in good time, and that your

intentions are clear.

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Jayne Buckland (Publicity)

Tel: 020 83634282 / 07572464708


Jayne has established and maintains contact with the local press and

handles press notices and ongoing liaison. She is concerned to maximise

other publicity and would be happy to receive your ideas regarding

possible outlets.

Diana Butler (Music Librarian)

Tel: 020 8882 7737 / 07702 563346


Diana locates musical scores and borrows/hires/buys them. She is

responsible for distribution of scores to choir members, for their collec-

tion after concerts and for their safe return. Assisted by Jane Bunting.

Roger Dean (Concert Manager)

Tel: 020 83608223 / 07951 954088 (No e-mail)

With the Chair, Roger researches new venues and agrees venue for each

concert in consultation with the Musical Director. He is responsible for

booking venues and for all concert arrangements, including agreeing

staging plan for choir and instrumentalists and co-ordinating the

transport, erection and dismantling of staging, helped by an ad hoc team

of volunteers. With the Membership Secretary, he devises choir seating

plan. He organises Front-of-House, including any reserved seating.

Assisted by Graham Davis.

Margery Dey (Making Music Rep/ Concert Assistant)

Tel: 020 8366 7267 / 07966 274503


Margery liaises with ‘Making Music’ (see above under Opportunities for

Members) on behalf of ECS.

She assists on concert days by taking responsibility for looking after

visiting soloists, instrumentalists, etc.

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Role Descriptions and Contact Details

Mike Seignior (Chair)

Tel: 01992 764 172 / 07930 372804

Email: mailto: [email protected]

Mike is the ‘public face’ of ECS. He is responsible for contacts between

ECS and other organisations. He chairs ECS committee. With the concert

Manager, he researches possible concert venues.

Mike also designs concert poster/flyer, programme cover, tickets.

Mark Sproson (Musical Director)


Mark is responsible for all musical aspects of rehearsals and concerts

Penelope Williams (Secretary)

Tel: 020 8366 0678 / O77582680029


Penelope organises committee meetings, circulates information to

members, and produces the concert programme. She also organises the

AGM. Please let her know if you would like her to send round informa-

tion to members.

Maria Mitchell (Treasurer)

Tel: 020 83666101 / 07788 437914


Maria budgets for concerts. She pays professional staff, soloists,

instrumentalists, etc. and all other costs. She banks subscriptions,

concert takings and any other incoming monies.

7

If you do not use email, please phone or text Lesley Jordan (numbers in

‘Role Descriptions and Contact Details’ section below). Your call or text

will be acknowledged (by a text message if possible). Lesley will then

take responsibility for informing the Musical Director.

If the Membership Secretary is unavailable, please contact Penelope

Williams (Secretary) instead.

Concert Dress

Usually the dress code is as follows, but may vary according to the works

being performed and the season:

Ladies: Black long sleeved/three-quarter length sleeved blouse.

Long (i.e. full length) black skirt or black trousers.

Men: Black suit

White evening shirt with black bow-tie.

Opportunities for Members

Solo and/or Ensemble singing

ECS aims to assist and promote members’ musical development both

collectively and individually. To this end soloist and small group parts

are recruited from the membership where appropriate. In the past

members have been invited to audition for particular concerts, but this

reduces choir rehearsal time. We would also like to offer opportunities

to local singers outside ECS wishing to engage in solo work. A new

departure for 2014 is an Audition Day, to be held on Saturday 1st March

2014 between 11am and 3pm at St Paul’s Winchmore Hill. Following

these auditions, the Musical Director will invite the most suitable soloist

etc. for each part available for a given concert.

If you then have to withdraw from participating in a concert you should: Email the Membership Secretary, Lesley Jordan, as soon as possible at [email protected] (or at her personal e-address if easier) with a copy to Mark Sproson at [email protected] Lesley will acknowledge your email. If you do not hear from her, please resend or follow instructions for singers without email access.

8

Workshops

The Musical Director occasionally includes short workshops during

rehearsals, with the aim of enhancing the choir's musical skills and

appreciation of the works we are performing. Ideas are always welcome

for subjects to be covered in these workshops; if you feel there is an area

you'd like to know more about please speak to the Musical Director or

the Chairman, or write a note in the Suggestions Book.

Other performance opportunities

The Christmas Concert generally includes several short readings chosen

and presented by members of the choir. Instrumental groups

comprising choir members are also welcome to offer an item. Members

are invited to put forward suggestions at the start of rehearsals in

November.

Using ‘Making Music’ Resources

Enfield Choral Society is affiliated to Making Music, a national

organisation which promotes and supports amateur musicians and

music groups.

Visit their web-site www.makingmusic.org.uk to discover more.

Volunteering to help run the choir

Most of you wouldn't believe how much work goes into running a choir

like ours! The Committee is responsible for all aspects of organising

rehearsals and concerts and for managing our finances. It would help

enormously if your committee could draw more on members' wider (i.e.

in addition to singing!) talents, skills and experience. We realise that

everyone has other commitments and we don’t want to stress anyone

out, but there may well be a contribution you can make.

Volunteering can be rewarding in its own right and is a good way of

getting to know other choir members, something we accept is difficult

during rehearsals for a tight schedule like ours. For members in/seeking

employment it can provide a useful addition to your CV! Some of the

skills etc needed to manage ECS are: shown in the table on the next page.

13

Other Roles

Voice Part Leads: 1st Sopranos Helen Seignior

2nd Sopranos Sandra Leah

Altos Edel McGinley

Tenors Roddy Elmer

Basses Ian Mackenzie

Assistant Concert Manager Graham Davis

Assistant Librarian Loan of Scores Vacant

Concert Assistants:

• Looking after visiting musicians Margery Dey

• ‘Props’ Vacant

E-Mail Audience Circulation List

Cheryl Humphreys

Facebook Page Manager Rosie Turvil

Friends’ Secretary Vivien Taylor

Gift Aid Secretary Philip Elmer

Ticketing Frieda Rodwell

Web Master/Mistress Vacant

Programme Committee: Diana Butler, Jane

Bunting, Roddy Elmer,

Edel McGinley, Justine

Marlowe, Mike Seignior,

Mark Sproson (Chair)

Social Subcommittee: Janet Champion,

Sue Jeffreys (Chair)

Geraldine O’Hara,

Geraldine Orfeur

12

Running the Choir

Who does what?

Musical Director Mark Sproson

Assistant Musical Director: To be appointed

Rehearsal Accompanist Caroline Soresby

President Albert Waite

Committee

Chair Mike Seignior

Secretary Penelope Williams

Treasurer Maria Mitchell

Music Librarian Diana Butler

Publicity Jayne Buckland

Assistant Librarian Jane Bunting

Concert Manager Roger Dean

Making Music Rep Margery Dey

Social Secretary Sue Jeffreys

Membership Secretary Lesley Jordan

The Musical Director is an ex-officio member of the Committee

The Committee generally meets about six times during the year

on a Monday evening, with additional pre-concert meetings held a

few weeks before each concert on Tuesday evenings before

rehearsal.

9

Accountancy

Artwork Catering Skills

Desktop Publishing Event organisation Facilities Management

Legal Knowledge/Skills

Letter-writing Library Skills

Manual Labour

Meeting and Greeting Publicity

Stage Management

Website Design Website Management

If you would be prepared to take on a specific task for the choir and/or

are interested in standing for the Committee please speak to/email our

Chair Mike Seignior in the first instance.

The Social Subcommittee would always welcome help in providing

refreshments at rehearsals and at concerts and arranging social and

fundraising events. Social Subcommittee meetings are held as needed

(infrequently!) at Trinity on Tuesday evenings immediately before

rehearsals. All members who travel by car to rehearsals are invited to

take their turn in taking our 5 litre flask and teabags home and making

the tea for the next week’s rehearsal break. Contact Sue Jeffreys.

Finances ECS has considerable ongoing expenses, notably remuneration for the

professional services of our Musical Director and Accompanist, hiring

our rehearsal facilities and the hire or purchase of music. In addition,

putting on a concert can cost thousands of pounds - a great deal more

than can be recouped through sale of tickets. Expenses include venue

hire, payment of professional soloists and instrumentalists, publicity and

the production of tickets and programmes.

Membership fees

Members currently pay £132 per annum full membership and £117 per

annum concession (over 60 or unemployed). These rates include 3 free

concert tickets per year (see under Ticket Levy below). Full time

students pay £60 per annum. New members are entitled to attend 3

10

rehearsals before they decide to join. Subscriptions are decided by the

committee during the Summer term and become due at the start of the

Autumn term. Fees are reduced on a pro-rata basis for members joining

mid-way through a year.

Our policy is to keep membership rates as low as we can so as to make

the choir as accessible as possible. ECS rates compare very favourably

with those of other local choirs. We have also recently introduced a

Hardship Fund, comprising unused levy ticket money. Any member

experiencing difficulty in paying their membership subscription can

have a discrete word with the Membership Secretary, who will consult

about any awards with the Treasurer.

The Ticket Levy

The full and concessionary membership rates quoted above include a

levy of £30 that entitles each member to three tickets to be used over the

current ‘choir year’. To use your levy tickets simply inform the ticketing

officer, Frieda Rodwell, how many levy tickets you require for a

particular performance. Frieda maintains a record for each member of

levy tickets used/available. Members are free to recover the cost of their

levy tickets by selling them to friends if they so wish.

Gift Aid

As a registered charity, ECS can claim Gift Aid at a rate of 25% on

subscriptions minus the £30 ticket levy, i.e. £102 for full and £87 for

concessionary members. If the amount of tax you pay qualifies you for

Gift Aid, please ensure that you have delivered an enduring declaration

to the Membership Secretary. Members are required to confirm their

Gift Aid status annually on the membership Application Form.

Selling concert tickets

ECS relies on members to assist in the selling of concert tickets, by

getting posters displayed in prominent positions locally (which might

extend beyond the London Borough of Enfield, especially for concerts

taking place near borough boundaries), distributing flyers and selling as

many concert tickets as possible to family, friends and acquaintances.

ECS has taken out Affiliate Membership of the Enfield Over 50s Forum.

This entitles us to free publicity for our concerts in the Forum’s widely-

distributed newsletter. 11

Fund-raising events

The Social Secretary and Social Subcommittee organise fund-raising

events from time to time. Members are requested to support such

events., principally by attending and selling tickets. Recent events have

included quiz evenings and a music hall evening. These events may pro-

vide an opportunity to get to know other choir members better. How-

ever, they are not restricted to ECS members. If you have an idea for a

fund-raising event, please contact the Social Secretary, Sue Jeffreys.

ECS Easy Fundraising Account

You can raise funds for ECS when shopping online from Amazon,

M&S, Argos and many other companies by going through our ac-

count, which can be accessed at: http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/

enfieldchoral/?u=1FV1DG

Grants

During 2013 ECS benefitted from two grants from the Enfield Residents

Priority Fund. The first of these enabled ECS to buy much needed

staging, which has been in use since Summer 2013. The second was

towards our 75th Anniversary Concert in July. Without such grants it

would have been impossible to maintain subscriptions for 2013/14 at

the same rate as for 2012/13. Please contact the Treasurer if you have

any information about other grants for which ECS could apply.

Friends of Enfield Choral Society

Regular members of our audience are invited to join the ‘Friends’

scheme. Annual membership currently costs £30, which entitles the

Friend to a free ticket and a reserved seat for each of our four concerts,

plus an additional half price ticket for each concert. Friends are notified

in advance of concerts and of social (including fund-raising) events.

They are invited to attend the AGM but do not have voting rights. The

Friends subscription does not qualify for Gift Aid purposes. Since

Autumn 2013 we have a dedicated Friends Secretary, Vivien Taylor.

Documents

Enfield Choral Society Handbook 2014