The following sets out the usual arrangements for a concert day last rehearsal and performance.
Saturday Afternoon Rehearsals
Saturday concert rehearsals usually run from 2 to 5pm but may finish earlier. Please arrive by 1:45pm at the latest, for a prompt 2pm start, this is to allow sufficient time for seating in your voice part and establishing a good sight line to the conductor. As appropriate, this rehearsal will also involve soloists and/or accompanying musicians.
If you are not singing in the concert, please do not attend the last Monday rehearsal; if you had intended to sing at the concert, but are unable to do so, please try to return your hired vocal scores via another choir member, on, or before, the concert day.
Messiah Concert Rehearsals
As Messiah concerts are usually held on a weeknight, there is no venue rehearsal for the choir. However, choir members singing in these concerts are expected to attend the last Monday evening rehearsal at Coten End School before the concert, in order that seating and any other arrangements can be finalised. Please do not attend this last rehearsal if you are not singing in the concert.
Concert dress
Women A black, smart, long-sleeved top (not a roll-necked one) and black, ankle-length skirt or trousers, or a black, long-sleeved, ankle-length dress. Black shoes (no stiletto heels, please).
Summer concert: as above, but with a colourful top.
Men Dinner jacket, white shirt, black bow tie. Black shoes.
Summer concert: as above, but without jacket and tie.
Seating and Staging Preparation at the Concert Venue
Volunteers helping with concert seating, and any staging, are to arrive at the venue for 12 noon; if access is only available at a later time, these changes will be communicated at the last Monday rehearsal and on the Members’ Notes webpage.
Volunteers for Front of House Tasks at the Concert Venue
Non-singing volunteers are needed for the on the door tasks of selling and collecting tickets, and selling programmes, also help is required for the set-up and sale of refreshments. We are grateful for the family members and friends of choir members who have already taken on these roles and would be pleased to see more join them.
Concert Seating
Seats allocated to each voice part will be indicated by paper slips on the chairs – S1, S2, A1, etc. If you are unable to attend the afternoon rehearsal, please notify Patrick Taggart, or the concert master, plus someone in your voice section to keep a seat for you, for the performance. Do not remove any coloured stickers from chairs, these are usually an indication of a permanent location within the venue. Remember who is sitting on either side of you, in your row, for lining up correctly for the evening performance.
The Evening of the Concert
Please arrive by 6:45pm for a warm-up session before most of the audience has arrived. Please have your music in a black folder, these are available from the choir.
In the allocated area, please line up to go onto the concert platform, knowing your row number and neighbours from the afternoon rehearsal. When everyone is in position, a signal will be given for the choir to file onto the platform in the order. Please carry your score(s) in a black music folder, but do not take water bottles onto the platform. When everyone is in position, a signal will be given for the choir to sit. When the conductor and soloists enter, the choir stands, until the conductor indicates us to sit, if we are not singing at the start of the concert. For all subsequent ‘stands and sits’ follow the instructions given prior to the concert, or the conductor, or a nominated ‘leader’ in the choir. Please watch carefully!
During the Concert and Interval
Please stand and sit as quietly as possible. At the end of each work, remain standing (unless already seated). The conductor will acknowledge the applause and acknowledge the choir. At the interval, the conductor and soloists leave, taking our cue from the nominated person, the choir will sit; you remain seated until the applause has finished. On a signal, the choir will stand and file out row by row in reverse order taking your folders with you. At the end of the 20-minute interval, after a bell has been rung, the choir lines up and moves onto the platform as at the start of the concert. When everyone is in position, a signal is given for the choir to sit. When the conductor and soloists enter, the choir stands, if singing at the start of the second half.
At the End of the Concert
When the music has finished choir members continue to stand. The conductor will acknowledge the applause and acknowledge the choir; the conductor and soloists leave. Taking a cue from the front, the choir sits. The conductor and soloists re-enter; the choir stay seated until called to stand by the conductor. If choir members wish to applaud the soloists, then please only do so when the choir is seated. The choir remain standing when the conductor and soloists leave, again taking a cue to sit from the front. This procedure will be repeated as many times as decided by the conductor. Finally, the choir stand and leave the platform, filing out row by row in reverse order on a signal from the front, taking all folders, belongings, etc. with them.
After the Concert
Please return all hired scores to the boxes provided.
Volunteers to assist with the setting down of seating and the staging will be much appreciated.