Singers’ Handbook
Welcome to Masterworks Chorale! We are one of the Bay Area’s leading choral organizations, performing throughout the region since 1964. Founded by Galen Marshall and now directed by Bryan Baker, the auditioned chorus of 90-100 singers generally performs four concert sets each year, two with a professional orchestra and two more focusing on works with keyboard accompaniment and a cappella music.
Mission Statement
Masterworks Chorale inspires and engages our community through vibrant and expressive music-making. We strive to enrich the cultural tapestry of the Peninsula with diverse, dynamic programming through concerts and educational outreach programs.
Values
Excellence
We are committed to the constant improvement of our musical skills and performance presentation so that we share meaningful, enriching, transcendent musical experiences with our community/audience.
Enjoyment
We are happy to belong to and sing with the Chorale, and find participation rewarding and worthwhile.
Caring Culture
We foster a diverse, friendly, caring, respectful, open, honest, positive, trusting, supportive environment.
Creativity and Innovation
We have the creativity and courage to try original and imaginative approaches to our music and performances, while honoring the great traditions of choral music.
Community Partnership
We encourage community partnerships with those that share similar values, and actively reach out to share our music with the broader community.
Fiscal Responsibility
We use money wisely. Funds are spent in a manner that assures the best use of our resources for our music and to assure long-term viability of the Chorale.
Rehearsals and Concerts
The concert season runs from late August through early June with Monday night rehearsals from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. The Artistic Director begins rehearsal at 7:00pm sharp. Concerts are usually in November, December, March and May or June, with an additional week-night dress rehearsal before each concert weekend. Singer registration and music sales are conducted online prior to each concert set, or in person before the first two rehearsals of each set. Sectional rehearsals for individual voice parts or small groups are occasionally scheduled, and attendance is strongly encouraged. These are announced in advance and posted on the Masterworks Google calendar. Instructions for accessing the online calendar are described in a subsequent section of this handbook.
Saturday Rehearsals
The chorale gathers on a Saturday once per concert set for a longer rehearsal (9am to 3pm). This rehearsal is very important in preparing for the concerts and is required. As with any rehearsal, please notify your section leader or the Artistic Director if you cannot attend the Saturday rehearsal.
Dress Rehearsals
There are two dress rehearsals the week prior to every concert weekend; these run from 7 to 10pm. Dates for these will be announced well in advance. These rehearsals are crucial and attendance is mandatory. If you miss a dress rehearsal, you may forfeit your opportunity to sing in the concerts (please inform Dr. Baker and your section leader of any unavoidable conflict). On very rare occasions, an additional rehearsal will be called the Friday night before concert weekend; we ask that you keep your schedule flexible on those nights. Concert apparel is not required for dress rehearsals, but please have your music in a performance folder.
Regular attendance is expected of all singers.
Please initial the attendance sheets at each rehearsal as you arrive. If you must miss a rehearsal, please notify your section leader and/or the Artistic Director in advance. Contact information can be found on the online members’ roster. No more than two absences per concert set are permitted. If you miss more than two rehearsals, you must see the Artistic Director to schedule a music repertoire check.
Black Music Folders & Concert Attire
You are required to follow all concert attire guidelines for performances, and to use a black folder for your music at all dress rehearsals and concert performances. You must make sure that your music is securely bound, that pages turn quietly, and that passages where the chorus does not sing are clipped together.
Concert Attire & Black Folder information can be found here.
Chorus Communications
Masterworksbayarea.org
Masterworks’ website is the electronic heart of the organization, where you can find information about the organization, our concerts, and links to purchase tickets. The Singers’ Access link is at the bottom right of our web site home page. This page contains practice files, the rehearsal calendar, and other useful information.
Log in information is as follows:
https://www.authpro.com/auth/MWCSingers/
Username: chorale
Password: Bakers100
E-mail Communications
A Masterworks group e-mail is used for official chorus-related announcements including homework assignments and other reminders. New singers are automatically added to this e-mail group, as well as email lists for their specific voice section. If you do not use email, or do not check your email regularly, you may miss important information, though we do try to cover much of it during rehearsal announcements.
MWCBuzz
Our Google Groups email, called MWCBuzz, is a recommended Masterworks Chorale group used by member singers to share non-essential but interesting or fun announcements with the chorale, such as other choir performances or videos, etc. You can sign up for MWCBuzz here.
MWC eBlasts
Masterworks Chorale eBlasts are marketing announcements for upcoming concerts sent using Constant Contact. Many of us forward these emails to friends and family to promote the concert. Be sure to use the “forward to friends” link at the bottom of the page instead of forwarding the message through your personal email account or your friends may inadvertently delete your Constant Contact account.
Organizational Structure
The Board of Directors of the Masterworks Chorale Society is the volunteer fiduciary of Masterworks Chorale, responsible for guiding the organization toward a sustainable future and ensuring it has adequate resources to complete its mission.
The Board engages the Artistic Director and Executive Director to serve as the artistic and administrative leaders of Masterworks. Masterworks also employs an Assistant Conductor, an Accompanist, an Outreach Music Teacher, and an Administrative Assistant. All positions are part-time.
Board members and non-board member singers volunteer to provide leadership and support roles on committees. Masterworks committees include: Board Governance, Development, Engagement, Marketing, Operations, Outreach and Technology.
Every singer in Masterworks Chorale helps keep the organization running smoothly. Chorale volunteers provide the needed time and effort for everything from setting up risers or planning concert receptions, to engaging children in musical games at one of our after school Outreach programs, and much more. Choir members may choose to volunteer for specific tasks or join standing committees. The Chair of the Engagement & Volunteerism Committee coordinates volunteers and represents the choir at Board meetings. Information regarding volunteer needs is announced throughout the season. For more information on how you can get involved, please contact the Executive Director.
Masterworks Chorale has no physical office, but our staff is available at rehearsals or via email.
You can find more information regarding leadership and committees here.
Dues and Other Payments
Each singer pays annual dues to participate in Masterworks Chorale. Full-time students (carrying a minimum of 12 units) are currently exempt. If you are a full-time student or have a financial hardship, please notify the Director of Operations of your situation. In some cases, the dues may be modified.
Dues are $480 per year. Dues should be paid in full by the 2nd rehearsal, or may be split into two payments of $240 each, due by the 2nd rehearsal of the season and the 2nd rehearsal the following January. Singer dues cover major operational expenses of the chorale. Singers are expected to pay their full annual dues, even if they must miss a concert set due to unavoidable conflicts. These dues are not tax deductible.
Payment for each concert set’s music is not included in the dues payment. Music generally costs $20 to $30 per concert set. Music is available for purchase through online registration by credit card, and just prior to the beginning of the 1st and 2nd rehearsal sessions. In-person payments may be cash, check or credit card. We strongly encourage online registration and music purchase when possible.
Fundraising and Annual Appeal
Masterworks relies on personal, community and corporate contributions to augment singer dues and concert income in order to sustain our organization. Donations come primarily from our chorus members and are also solicited from audience members, businesses, foundations and the community. Masterworks receives corporate donations through employee matching programs and some community foundation grants.
Fundraising is a year-round activity. The Annual Appeal runs from Fall through the New Year, and additional fundraising often happens in the Spring. Additionally, we run several smaller fundraising efforts including See’s Candies, Amazon Smile, Escrip and Giving Tuesday.
Chorus Etiquette
Please participate with commitment, respect, focus and professional decorum. Please do not chat during rehearsal; please do not check your phone. Please be courteous by giving our Artistic Director and Assistant Conductor your full attention. Please do not wear scents of any kind as many singers are very sensitive to fragrance.Your courtesy will help ensure that Masterworks Chorale continues to achieve choral excellence, and ensure each choral member’s enjoyment of the choral experience.
Attendance
■ Be on time.
■ If you are habitually tardy, you may not be allowed to perform in the concert.
■ If you are late, enter quietly. Do not walk in front of the Artistic Director or chorus to reach your seat.
■ You are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. If you must miss a rehearsal, notify the Artistic Director or your section leader in advance.
■ You will be required to do a music repertoire check with the Artistic Director after more than two absences.
■ You may be denied participation in a concert if your absences are excessive or if you fail the music repertoire check.
Rehearsal and Concert Decorum
■ Come prepared with music (in black folder for dress rehearsals and concert) and pencil ready.
■ Wear your name tag.
■ Listen to the Artistic Director and follow all instructions, the first time.
If you miss an instruction, wait until a break to follow-up.
■ Speak very quietly to your neighbor, if you must.
■ No excessive talking.
■ Watch for each cue-in and cut-off.
■ Do not hum or sing along when another section is being rehearsed.
■ Stop singing once you are directed to do so.
■ No gum chewing.
■ No food, except during breaks.
■ Be present. Do not engage in any disruptive behaviors (i.e., reading, knitting, listening to the radio by earphones, taking a nap, writing letters, talking) that detract from your focus.
■ Put away cell phones: no texting and no calls in or out.
One verbal warning will be given. An exception is made for physicians who will take the call outside of the rehearsal area.
■ Promote a safe, harassment-free environment.
■ Maintain a scent-free environment.
Concert Attire
■ Abide by all of the guidelines regarding concert attire.
■ To be sure that your concert attire complies, you may bring your entire outfit or a photo of you wearing it, in advance of the first dress rehearsal, for the designated monitor to review with you.
■ A monitor designated by the Executive Director will approach you about any infractions of the dress code.
■ You may be asked to leave the concert venue and change into compliant concert dress in order to perform in the concert.
Women’s Concert Attire:
■ Dresses must be black: no off-black, gray/black, no color stripes or patterns, no lace over nude (which would reveal a pattern), lace over black is allowed. No sequins or sparkles of any kind, or anything that might catch and reflect stage lighting.
■ Dresses must be formal and floor length (no more than 2 inches off the floor while wearing performance shoes). No slits above the knee.
■ Skirts (floor length) or dress pants and blouses may be worn but they must be formal. No jeans, leggings, corduroy, or any other casual pants will be allowed. No bare midriffs.
■ Separates must look uniform when worn together. Both pieces must be true black. No large belts or other accessories.
■ No bare shoulders or low, revealing necklines. No sleeveless dresses or blouses. Sleeves for blouses must extend below the elbow. Jackets may be worn, but must be pre-approved.
■ Black dress shoes only. No tennis shoes, sandals, boots, loafers, or Birkenstocks. No knee length boots over pants.
■ Jet-black nylons/hose are the only acceptable color. No bare legs or feet.
■ Exceptions will be made for singers who require special shoes (i.e., orthopedic-type shoes) for medical conditions. These shoes must be black. Black hose or socks must be knee-high length; no ankle-length hose or socks.
■ Jewelry is acceptable if it does not stand out. General Rule: no flashy pendants; no dangling earrings. If lighting highlights your jewelry you will be asked to remove it.
Men’s Concert Attire:
■ Tuxedos and black cummerbunds must be worn. Black coats must be buttoned during performances.
■ No vests.
■ You must wear a tuxedo style shirt with black button studs.
■ Black tuxedo tie is required.
■ Conservative cuff links may be worn.
■ Black, polished dress shoes with black socks. No tennis shoes, sandals, boots, or casual shoes.
Exceptions to Mandatory Concert Attire:
On occasion, the Artistic Director may ask singers to wear jewel-toned tops and men to wear solid ties (or other modifications appropriate to the repertoire and occasion). Examples of jewel tones can be seen here. To inquire about other necessary exceptions, please contact the Executive Director.
Choir Leadership: Section Leaders
Each voice part within the chorus has a designated section leader. Your section leader is available for questions regarding the chorus, repertoire, score markings, etc.
Soprano 1: Lory Y. Kitamura - lory.kt@masterworksbayarea.org
Soprano 2: Charlene Kranz - charlenekranz@yahoo.com
Alto 1: Elaine Quan - equan_55@yahoo.com
Alto 2: Jacquelyn Chang - jbchang@alumni.stanford.edu
Tenor: John Harrison - kicked.it@gmail.com and Bill Chiles - bill.chiles@gmail.com
Baritone/Bass: David Hooper - hooper.david@gene.com and Dave Merrill - davidsmerrill@gmail.com