The following sets outs the arrangements for members of the choir for the concert performance and the last rehearsal at the concert venue.

Please do not attend the last Monday rehearsal, if you are not singing in the concert.
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.

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 a colourful top.

Men – Dinner jacket, white shirt, black bow tie. Black shoes.  Summer concert – as above but no jacket and tie.

Staging and Seating Preparation at the Concert Venue

Volunteers helping with concert seating, and any staging, are to arrive at the venue for 12 noon; if there is any change, this will be on the Members’ Notes webpage.

Saturday Afternoon Rehearsals

Saturday concert rehearsals usually run from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, please arrive for a prompt start; the rehearsal may finish earlier.  As appropriate, this rehearsal will also involve soloists and/or accompanying musicians.

NOTE: MESSIAH CONCERTS HELD ON A MONDAY OR TUESDAY WILL NOT HAVE A VENUE REHEARSAL.  CHECK THE MEMBERS’ NOTES WEBPAGE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT VOLUNTEERS FOR SEATING, ETC. REQUIREMENTS.

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.

At the Start of the Concert

When everyone is in position, a signal will be given for the choir to file onto the platform in the prescribed 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.