This handbook describes various aspects of the Brazos Valley Chorale that singers are asked to understand.

Governance

While the Chorale holds one general membership meeting each year, most of the day-to-day operations are conducted by its elected board.  The bylaws for the Chorale are included in the For Singers page of our website, so you can refer to that document for its organizational details.  However, in addition to the elected board, the Chorale is organized through a team of designated section leaders, one for each vocal section. The names of the board members and section leaders are also included on the For Singers page of the Chorale website (bvchorale.org).

Dues

Each member of the Chorale is required to pay annual membership dues at the beginning of the season or if joining at mid-season. The dues are for the season and the amount is the same regardless of the number of concerts in which the singer participates during a season. These dues are primarily used to cover the expense of renting or purchasing music for the performances as well as other operational expenses of the Chorale.

Music

Music for each concert is provided at the first rehearsal for that concert. Most music is purchased or rented by the Chorale and that cost is partly covered by membership dues. However there may be certain occasions when individual members are asked to purchase music. Music purchased by members is theirs to keep after the concert.

All music rented or purchased by the Chorale will be stamped, numbered, and distributed the first night of rehearsal. If a member stops participating in the Chorale prior to a concert, it is the responsibility of that member to return the music promptly.

Music that is owned or rented by the Chorale must be returned at the end of each concert. Any notations made on the music should be made only with #2 or softer pencil. Singers making notations in ink or highlighter will be asked to reimburse the Chorale for the cost of the music. All paper clips or sticky notes should be removed when returning music. And if time permits, pencil notations should be erased.

Singers may choose to use e-readers or tablet computers instead of physical copies of the music.  Digital copies of the music will be made available to singers through the For Singers page of the Chorale website. However, the Chorale must purchase licenses for music used by all singers, regardless of format. Just as singers must turn in physical sheet music at the conclusion of a concert, those using digital copies must delete those copies from their tablets.

For questions about music, contact our librarian at librarian@bvchorale.org.

Music Folders

Concert music folders must be black. You may use your own folder, or you may purchase one through the Chorale. A small supply of special folders specifically designed for choral singers is periodically purchased by the Chorale for resale to the singers.

E-readers or tablet computers used in lieu of a traditional music folder must be either black or dark gray in color or can be placed in such a cover.  The brightness of the screen should be just sufficient to read the music so as to prevent unnaturally lighting up the singer’s face.

Concert Attire

Dress for all singers will be solid black, except for white pearl necklaces worn by women. This will include black socks/hose and black, closed toed shoes. All singers are expected to personally purchase the necessary clothing.

Women.   Dress will be separates. Tops will be velvet, round neckline, 3/4 sleeves and white pearls.  For bottoms, singers can choose either full length skirts or palazzo pants. While all black close toed shoes can be acquired anywhere, the tops and bottoms should be purchased from a vendor designated by the board and shown on the For Singers page of the Chorale website.

Men.  The attire for men in the Brazos Valley Chorale will be one of the following, and will be announced on a concert by concert basis:

• Standard dress: Men will wear either plain front or pleated front black dress pants, black long sleeve shirt, all black shoes and socks, & black belt.  If suspenders are needed, they must also be black.
• Formal dress: When required to upgrade to more formal attire, men will add a black coat and long black tie to the standard dress above.

Except for footwear, belts, and suspenders, all of these items should be purchased from a vendor designated by the board and shown on the For Singers page of the Chorale website.

All Singers.  Throughout the season there are times when ensembles from within the Chorale are invited to sing for other groups at more casual settings. Dress for those events will be black bottoms and the Chorale embroidered polo shirt. The cost of the polo shirts is approximately $45. A bulk order for new singers will be placed at a time to be announced.

Time and Place.  Rehearsals are held 7pm-9pm every Monday night. The first two rehearsals for any given concert during the 2024-25 season will be held at First Methodist Church, 506 E. 28th Street, Bryan, TX.  All other rehearsals are at the Brazos Center Room 102, 3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan, TX. An extra rehearsal will generally be scheduled the day before a concert or the day of the concert. All who plan to sing in the concert are expected to attend that rehearsal. A complete rehearsal and performance calendar is provided at the start of the season and will be available on the For Singers page on the Chorale website.

Rehearsal Etiquette.  The musical quality of our performances, the development of ensemble artistry, and the morale of the organization depend upon regular and prompt attendance at all rehearsals and concerts. Rehearsals begin promptly and each member is expected to attend rehearsals in their entirety. Be in your seat and ready to rehearse at the appointed time.

When you arrive at rehearsal, register your attendance by “checking in” on your respective section’s the attendance sheet. It is your responsibility to see that you are counted as present. Members who have missed a rehearsal are required to get all rehearsal markings and other information from their section leader prior to the next rehearsal. Continued absences from rehearsals will result in your exclusion from upcoming performances. As a general rule, singers may miss up to two rehearsals in preparation for any concert to be allowed to sing in that concert. Singers missing more than two rehearsals must receive a waiver of this rule from the respective section leader to sing in the concert.

Most rehearsal time is spent working on musical goals and style. Therefore it is the responsibility of each singer to be sure that notes and rhythms are secure. If you come to rehearsal without your music, you may borrow a folder of music to use for the evening if it is available. Borrowed folders must be returned at the end of rehearsal. Please do not ask to “look on” with someone. This makes it very difficult for both singers.

It cannot be emphasized enough that talking during rehearsal wastes time and distracts the rest of the group and the director. When a question is asked of the director, do not offer a response; allow the director to respond as needed. Refrain from shouting out comments or having “side-bar” conversations with your neighbors. Conversation should be limited to time before and after rehearsal and during any breaks. A friendly, professional positive attitude should be maintained at all rehearsals.

When the director is working with another section on its part, do not hum or sing along. Be perfectly quiet. The director is listening closely so as to achieve a desired effect or tone, and any other sound in the room distracts from that goal.

Singers are encouraged to make notations on the music provided when the director requests. Please use only a #2 pencil for any and all markings on the music. Music owned or rented by the Chorale must be returned at the end of the concert season. Please help the Chorale music librarian by using a #2 pencil, writing as lightly as possible, erasing markings, and returning music promptly.

A section leader is assigned to each vocal part in the Chorale. Section leaders perform a variety of jobs but act primarily as contact persons to keep their section up to date with the latest information. If you know you are going to miss a rehearsal, contact your section leader. After a missed rehearsal, contact your section leader for announcements, schedules, and musical notations. It is your responsibility to contact your section leader as soon as possible after a missed rehearsal. You can email your respective section leader using the addresses of:

• soprano@bvchorale.org
• alto@bvchorale.org
• tenor@bvchorale.org
• bass@bvchorale.org.

Chamber Singers

The Chamber Singers is a selected ensemble from within the Brazos Valley Chorale that performs during most concerts. Singers must audition every year to become a part of this group. Musical ability, blend, tone and commitment are all important to this group of singers. Rehearsal time for Chamber Singers is 9:00-9:30 p.m. on Monday evenings immediately following the Chorale rehearsals.

Solos

There are often opportunities for individual Chorale members to sing a solo during the concerts. The director will invite those interested to audition at specified times.

For other questions, you may reach out to any of the following:

• President: president@bvchorale.org
• Artistic Director: director@bvchorale.org
• Administrative Director: mail@bvchorale.org