Fairfax Choral Society Adult Chorus Membership Handbook

Welcome to membership in the Adult Chorus of the Fairfax Choral Society. Here are important telephone numbers and information to guide you throughout the season.

Staff and Organization: Fairfax Choral Society Office (staffed 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. weekdays) 4028 Hummer Road, Annandale, VA 22003 (703) 642-3277 voice, (703) 642-1773 fax [email protected] http://www.fairfaxchoralsociety.org

Artistic Director: Dr. Douglas Mears, [email protected] Managing Director: Mrs. Christi Esterly Schwarten, [email protected]

THE AUDITION All members, returning and new, audition with Artistic Director Dr. Doug Mears before the season begins. At your scheduled time, Dr. Mears will evaluate your vocal and musical skills through the use of prepared music and vocalizing exercises. New members are expected to demonstrate their ability to sight-read a simple score.

TIME COMMITMENT OF MEMBERSHIP Adult Chorus members are expected to perform in all of the season’s regularly scheduled concerts. Regular rehearsals are held every Monday night, including holidays, from 7:30-10:00 p.m. usually at Fairfax Presbyterian Church. Members are expected to be in their seats at the start of warm-ups (7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted) and to stay until the end of rehearsal. Mandatory dress rehearsals are held prior to each concert. A calendar is distributed at the beginning of the season so that members can plan to attend all rehearsals and concerts.

EXPENSES OF FCS MEMBERSHIP Dues for the 2009-2010 FCS concert season are $335; for members who join in mid-season (January 2009), the dues will be $182.50. Members who pay dues in full at the time of the audition or by June 30, 2009 by cash, check, or credit card will receive a $20 discount. Upon receipt of paid membership, each member will receive one ticket for the following 2009-2010 season concerts: Soundscapes, Light Everlasting, Sing We Now of Christmas, She Sings, & Spring Follies. In special circumstances, alternative payment plans can be arranged through the FCS Office. FCS is open and dedicated to accommodate any singer who wishes to become a member but may also be fiscally constrained. Please contact the FCS Office to get more information on these accommodations and scholarships.

Concert Attire: Each member is expected to purchase the appropriate concert attire. For men: single-breasted black tuxedo jacket, black tuxedo pants, white tuxedo shirt with wing collar, black tie and cummerbund, black socks and shoes. For women: a concert gown is purchased through an apparel company at a cost of about $75. For select concerts, women may also wear a black sparkled top purchased through an apparel company at a cost of about $35. Women must also have or purchase a single strand “pearl” necklace and pearl stud earrings.

Music: All members are expected to purchase their own music for each concert. FCS will provide the opportunity to purchase music through our offices. If you order music through the FCS offices, you are responsible for payment, whether or not you sing in the concert.

Because many of our members suffer from allergies, singers are strongly encouraged to refrain from the use of scented products (cologne, scented creams, etc.) during both rehearsals and concerts. Dues and ticket sales do not cover the costs of concert productions and organizational activities. Members are strongly encouraged to actively solicit donations as well as purchase or sell concert tickets to family and friends. Members are also strongly encouraged to participate through volunteering.

MEMBERSHIP EXPENSE DISCOUNTS Multiple incentives are available to recoup the costs of membership expenses. For the 2009-10 season, these incentives for members who pay dues in full include:

 Members who pay at the time of their audition will receive a $20 discount;  Members will receive General Admission or Classic tickets for these concerts during the 2009-10 season: o Soundscapes ($25 value) o Light Everlasting ($20 value) o Sing We Now of Christmas – Youth Chorus Concert ($20 value) o She Sings – Youth Chorus Concert ($20 value) o Spring Follies – Youth Chorus Concert ($20 value)

Members who receive concert tickets may choose to sell or give them to others. Members are welcome to determine the use and fate of each ticket at their discretion.

ATTENDANCE POLICY If members find it necessary to miss a rehearsal, it is expected that they will inform their section leader of that absence in advance. The section leaders’ names and e-mail addresses can be found on our paper roster or on the FCS website. Failure to contact your section leader prior to a missed rehearsal will result in the absence being unexcused and will be considered at audition time at the end of the season.

The Chorus Committee and Dr. Mears have determined the number of allowed rehearsal absences for each concert. (Please see section below for a detailed list.) Members who miss more than the allowed number are required to schedule a private hearing with Dr. Mears to determine if they can sing in the concert. Members who miss more than half the rehearsals for a concert, or who miss the dress rehearsal, may NOT sing the concert.

Before annual auditions, the Chorus Committee will meet to review every member’s attendance at rehearsals and concerts in order to provide Dr. Mears with recommendations on returning members wishing to reaudition.

ABSENCE POLICY DETAILS

Soundcapes 9 rehearsals Allowable absences: 2 ½ Unable to participate - more than 4 ½ absences

Christmas with FCS 5 rehearsals Allowable absences: 1 ½ Unable to participate - more than 2 ½ absences

Christmas Concert with City of Fairfax Band Must be eligible to participate in Christmas with FCS and attend the City Band dress rehearsal

Light Everlasting 13 rehearsals Allowable absences: 3 ½ Unable to participate - more than 6 ½

George Mason Summer Festival 11 rehearsals Allowable Absences: 3 Unable to participate - more than 5 ½ absences

DRESS REHEARSAL POLICY All FCS adult chorus dress and orchestra rehearsals are closed to the public. Requests for special exceptions to this policy must be directed to the artistic staff or the FCS office before the day of the dress rehearsal. A nominal fee may be charged for admission.

Youth Chorus (YC) rehearsals, and combined adult and YC dress and orchestra rehearsals are open to YC parents/guardians and siblings ONLY, and they will be permitted to sit in an area designated for them. YC parents/guardians and siblings are requested to be as quiet as possible so as not to disturb the work on stage. No photography or recording is allowed. Violation of this policy will result in the loss of this privilege for future concerts.

Enforcement of this policy is the responsibility of the Managing Director, Youth Parent Coordinators, and Adult Chorus President.

SCORE MARKINGS Before rehearsals for each concert, members are required to transfer Dr. Mears’ markings into their personal score. The markings are available in PDF format through our website (see link under Communication). Due to copyright law, you must purchase the hard copies of this music even though the marked copies are available online. The software application, Adobe Acrobat Reader (available as a free download), is required to read this material.

COMMUNICATION The FCS Office and the Chorus Committee communicate to the Adult Chorus members through regular e-mails and the organizational website (www.fairfaxchoralsociety.org). Please be sure that we have your most current e-mail address and that you check your e-mail regularly for any last minute changes or updates.

To access membership information on our website, enter the “Green Room,” and follow the link to the Adult Chorus Members’ Page. The user name is “fcs,” and the password is “singer.” This page is updated regularly, and often contains useful information, including marked scores available for download, audio recordings of choral works, concert schedules, pictures of current members, and other information. Please check the website regularly to keep up to date with the latest information.

Important announcements are often made at rehearsals, and periodic office bulletins are distributed to members when necessary. Your questions will always be answered if you call or e-mail the FCS Office or one of the Chorus Committee members.

VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT FCS is a non-profit organization with a strong history of reliance upon volunteers. In addition to singing with FCS, your participation is relied upon to assist with ticket sales, CD sales, general operations, mailings, concert production, the annual Silent Auction/Gala, publicity and marketing, etc. We know your time is valuable, and we trust that you will consider FCS worth the gift of your time and energies as well as your voice. All chorus members will be placed on an FCS Adult Chorus committee based upon your responses in our volunteer registration form. Members may serve on multiple committees and change committees at any time by consulting with the Managing Director.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair: Lyn S. Hainge, Deputy Chair: Barbara Tuset, [email protected] [email protected] Treasurer: Roberta Munro, Diane Graft (Adult Chorus President) [email protected] Cheryl Price (Youth Parent Coordinator) Mary Gayle Holden Carl Altheide

OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Dr. Douglas Mears Artistic Director, Conductor of Adult Chorus Dr. Mears has been associated with the Fairfax Choral Society since 1980. He began his career with the chorus as the accompanist and, soon thereafter, he became Associate Director. In addition to his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in music from the Julliard School in New York, Dr. Mears holds a doctorate in organ performance from the Catholic University of America and a doctorate in choral conducting from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Dr. Donald Neuen. He received a diploma from the American Conservatory in Fontainbleau, France, after studying with Nadia Boulanger. Dr. Mears has been Artistic Director of the Fairfax Choral Society and Conductor of the Adult Chorus since 1991. A published composer and arranger, he also serves as Director of Music at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, MD.

OUR MANAGING DIRECTOR

Christi Esterly Schwarten Managing Director Ms. Schwarten joined FCS as Managing Director in July 2008. Prior to joining FCS, she served as a Graduate Assistant at The University of Akron in theatre and art gallery management. Ms. Schwarten also served as the Promotions Coordinator Intern for the Downtown Akron Partnership, the Education Intern for the Asolo Repertory Theatre, and as an Educator for Weathervane Playhouse. Ms. Schwarten holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Political Science from Baldwin-Wallace College and is finishing her Masters Degree in Arts Administration at The University of Akron.

DIRECTIONS

Fairfax Presbyterian Church, 10723 Main Street, Fairfax, VA In Fairfax City, where the church is located, Route 236 (Little River Turnpike) is synonymous with Main Street. Travel WEST on Route 50, take a LEFT turn at 236/Main Street. Turn RIGHT on Presbyterian Way. Continue straight and you will reach the church parking lot. We rehearse in the Fellowship Hall. From I-66, Exit at Route 50 East. After crossing Route 29 (Lee Highway) the road becomes Route 236 EAST/Main Street. Turn RIGHT on Presbyterian Way. Follow directions above.

Packard Center-FCS Office, 4028 Hummer Rd, Annandale, VA: From I-495: Take exit 52 for Route 236 EAST/Little River Turnpike. At the first light, turn LEFT onto Hummer Road. Once on Hummer Road, head down the hill about a ¼ mile. Near the bottom of the hill, turn LEFT at the small wooden sign indicating the Annandale Community Park and Packard Center. Stay to the RIGHT at the fork and park in the parking lot at the top of the hill. During normal business hours, you can enter through the front doors and proceed straight down the hallway to the back of the building to the FCS office. If the FCS Office has announced that it will be open outside business hours, we will unlock the back entrance.

Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA From I-495: Exit onto Little River Turnpike (Exit 6) eastbound to Annandale. Proceed 1½ miles on Little River Turnpike (route 236) to Evergreen Lane (across from the Public Library). Turn left onto Evergreen Lane and then right at the dead end onto Columbia Pike (route 244). Proceed on Columbia Pike through the first light at the intersection with Gallows Road (route 711), then turn right into the church parking lot. National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle, Washington, D.C. National City Christian Church is located in northwest Washington, DC, where 14th Street intersects Massachusetts Avenue at Thomas Circle. Metrorail Orange and Blue Lines to McPherson Square: Walk two blocks north on Vermont Avenue to reach Thomas Circle. Parking Information will be forthcoming.

Schlesinger Center & Concert Hall, Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus: From I-395: Take Seminary Rd WEST exit. RIGHT on N. Beauregard St. LEFT on W. Braddock Rd. Drive onto Campus - Schlesinger Center is on the RIGHT and there is a parking garage on the left.

Center for the Arts Concert Hall, George Mason University, Fairfax Campus: From I-495: Take Braddock Rd WEST exit. Go approximately 5-6 miles. RIGHT on Roanoke River Rd. Bear RIGHT at the fork onto Patriot Circle. LEFT on Mason Pond Rd. Concert Hall is on your right, parking garage is also on your right just past the hall. Free parking is available in Lot K, across the pond.