Concert day protocols
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More-or-less chronologically...
Non-attendance If you know in advance that you are unable to sing in a concert please let the Secretary know as soon as possible; names of those intending to sing are needed in advance to ensure accurate seating. Staging We are lucky to have purpose-designed staging in Holy Trinity Church, which means that all singers should be able to see the conductor without problems. This is unpacked and assembled on the Friday morning prior to a concert by a band of volunteers. A few people are also needed to arrange the chairs. Staging and chairs are all dismantled/stacked immediately after the concert so that the church can be used for services the next day. On the Monday morning after the concert the staging is returned to its storage place. Again, volunteers are needed to help with tis operation. (See also the final item below) Help is essential for all four of these processes. With plenty of helpers, ten to twelve, women as well as men, each task takes just over half an hour. The helpers usually have coffee together in the church coffee room after the Friday and Monday sessions so it's a good chance to meet choir members from other voice parts. Volunteers are asked to sign up to help over the last few Monday practices. Final Rehearsal This is held in Holy Trinity church on the afternoon of a concert day, from about 2.30pm to 5.00pm, and with the orchestra, if applicable. Exact times for the rehearsal vary and are announced in the last Monday practices. Attendance at the final rehearsal is essential. It is when seating is decided and sits and stands are finalised. It is also the only chance to experience the acoustic of the church and to work with the orchestra or organ. It is helpful to arrive at least 10 minutes before the stated start of the rehearsal . However, it is important not to disturb the orchestra, who are often already rehearsing. Bottles of water Bottles of water are welcome at the rehearsal, but for the performance please only use them discreetly in, for example, a coughing emergency. Refreshments are available in the interval. Mobile phones If it is essential, you may keep mobile phones on during the rehearsal, but please put them to silent mode. Please do not take mobile phones or pagers into the concert. Toilets There are toilets upstairs at the west end of the church. A lift is available. There is also a toilet for the less mobile on the ground floor, next to the lift. Parking Parking in the church grounds is limited, so it would help if you can car share and park in the surrounding streets. Please leave the church parking for people with mobility problems. If you do need to park in the church grounds, the way in is at the top end of Bicton Place at the junction with Beacon Place and the way out is into Rolle Street. It is a one-way system. If the ground is firm enough, the church allows car parking on the grass. In our climate, it is safer to assume this will not happen. Front of house Volunteers staff the front of house roles, selling tickets and programmes, and acting as ushers. Parking attendants are also required if we can park on the grass. These volunteers are friends from Holy Trinity and partners or friends of singing members. The Secretary would be pleased to hear of anyone who would be willing to fulfill any of these roles. Between rehearsal and concert Anyone who does not have time to go home between the rehearsal and the performance can usually find somewhere in the church to eat a sandwich and have a drink (which they need to bring with them). There is some space for communal changing. Concert dress
Security Please note that all your personal belongings are your sole responsibility. We suggest that you bring the absolute minimum with you. If ladies have a handbag with them, please take only a very small clutch bag onto the stage. Folders Because we are often using different editions of the scores, music should he held in a black folder. If you do not have a folder, please ask the Secretary, who has an emergency supply. You are encouraged to purchase one for £6; or you could try one out (for £1). As of Dec 2019, there are two left! Assembling for the concert - 7.30pm start Pre-concert, the choir will:
During the interval Refreshments are usually available upstairs, courtesy of the church volunteers. It is fine to go and join your friends in the body of the church, or upstairs, but please note that we process off the stage to the vestries at the end of the first half, and back on again after the interval, so please get back to your vestry in plenty of time. There is usually a five-minute warning. At the end of the concert The choir will:
Returning music scores At the end of the concert please leave your music in the appropriate boxes which are placed in the vestries so that the librarian can collect it. If you become aware in advance that you will not be singing in the concert please return your scores to the Librarian, via another member if necessary. The library imposes a fine if we do not return the scores on the designated date. Volunteers are also required at Holy Trinity on the following Monday (at the same time the staging is stored). This is to assist our Librarian with the erasing of pencil marks from the scores prior to their return to the library. Returning the staging to storage Volunteers are needed on the Monday after a concert to help return the staging to the store in Holy Trinity. Dec 2021 |
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