The Women’s Chorus is an ensemble for women from 13 years old and up. We have a modest rehearsal schedule, and aim at performing 3 or 4 songs each semester.
We currently have 8 members and hope to grow to at least 12 by the beginning of the Fall Semester, while we consider a membership of 36 or more to be an optimal size for us. Our rehearsals are every other week, sorta/kinda, to accommodate people’s busy schedules. Since we are small and have limited rehearsals, our performances will most likely be in conjunction with Freedom Choir concerts. While it might be nice to have performances all to ourselves someday, this shared performance arrangement means that we don’t have to have 10 or more numbers ready to go at once—so it accommodates us nicely.
REPERTOIRE
We will perform a wide variety of music, both accompanied and unaccompanied, and will gravitate toward 3- and 4-part pieces. Members will be expected to learn their notes at home. Whether you sight-read or whether you learn them from our rehearsal recordings, we really want to avoid spending precious rehearsal time teaching notes if we can.
SKILLS/REQUIREMENTS
We need everyone to be good at singing in tune, and to get good at following the coaching regarding matching vowel sounds. Basic musicianship skills are good, too, such as keeping a steady beat and following the director. Besides that, being a kind and courteous person is also great!
Registration
If you are already a member of the Homeschool Program–or are intending to register for that, you can register this ensemble when you declare your intent to register.
If you are not a member of the Homeschool Program, please send a message to Jack Pelham about scheduling an audition, and we’ll take it from there.
CODE OF CONDUCT
To ensure that we’re all on our best behavior and that expectations are clear, a Code of Conduct agreement is required for this ensemble. This document is being updated and will be published this summer.
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Tentatively, we plan to rehearse on Saturdays from 3-5, and it’s every other week, with one or two exceptions. BUT IF A MAJORITY OF THOSE INTERESTED PREFERRED SUNDAY AFTERNOONS, WE COULD ACCOMMODATE THAT. (Please contact Jack Peham if you’d prefer Sunday.)
Starts September 25, 2021–specific dates as follows:
9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11 DRESS REHEARSAL
PERFORMANCE DATES
Semester-ending concerts tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, December 14 and Wednesday, December 15. Subject to change once we get to talk it out at the beginning of the semester.
MATERIALS NEEDED
Sheet music will be provided–on loan.
CONCERT ATTIRE
Here’s our dress code:
PERFORMANCE DRESS CODE
We have a dress code for our concerts, because we are cool like that! All chorus members are expected to dress in all black as follows:
Boys/Men: Black slacks. Black belt and black shoes. Black long-sleeve, button-down shirts.
Girls/Women: Black bottoms of modest length, whether slacks, skirts, or dresses. Modest black tops, long or short sleeve. Sequins or other sparklies are OK, provided they do not change the color from the basic black look. NOTE: Ballroom gowns are too fancy for this event, and would stick out. Meanwhile, cowboy boots and hats with all black are too un-fancy, and would stick out in the opposite way!
CAPACITY
100
LOCATION
This course meets, as do all our courses, in the We, Montana! Great Room.
INSTRUCTOR
Jack Pelham
FEE
$25 per member per semester.