The following information and expectations were developed by the members, and are intended to provide an enriching experience for all.

Membership

Membership means commitment to the entire season's schedule. Please mark your calendars accordingly. Schedule changes are sometimes necessary; these are announced at rehearsals. Members are expected to continue their musical development and may be asked to reaudition periodically.

Music

Members must purchase their own music for one or more work(s) each season — usually an oratorio, mass, etc. The cost is generally less than $15, and the music will be available at rehearsal in the fall. Some music may be either borrowed or purchased; bring a check or cash to the first rehearsal if you wish to purchase your music. Please make checks payable to “Oratorio Society of Minnesota.”

Borrowed music needs to be returned immediately following each concert to the music librarian. If you borrow music, and then cannot sing in the concert, please return your music as soon as possible, prior to the concert.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are held each Monday evening from 7:15–9:45 p.m. at Macalester Plymouth United Church, 1658 Lincoln Ave., St. Paul, MN.

Rehearsals are the core of our experience in the Oratorio Society—they provide the precious time to prepare the wonderful and often challenging choral works. Rehearsals begin promptly at the time specified (usually 7:15 p.m.), which means that members must be in their seats, warmed up, and ready to sing at that time.

Plan to be at the rehearsal location at least 15 minutes ahead of time — to find a parking spot, get inside, take off your coat, pick up handouts, visit, and so forth. It really makes life a lot easier to just build in that extra 15 minutes!

Always have a pencil with you at rehearsal to mark your music.

Please have the courtesy to listen attentively and refrain from unnecessary talking during rehearsal and announcement time.

During rehearsals, please turn off your cell phone or turn on “manners mode.”

Members who attend a rehearsal but are not able to fully participate because of illness usually sit apart (to prevent germs spreading), but listen and take notes attentively.

We do have social times as well, but because there is so little time available for this at rehearsals, we usually plan “parties” for before or after a rehearsal. Voice sections take turns in providing the goodies.

Attendance

You may miss up to two rehearsals and still expect to sing in the concert. If you have more than two absences, you might, at the director’s discretion, be asked to demonstrate your knowledge of the music to be performed.

Practice at Home

Members are expected to work on music between rehearsals — fixing notes, difficult spots, texts, phrasing, rhythm, dynamics, articulation, etc. Should you miss a rehearsal, please ask someone in your section for markings you may have missed. Despite busy schedules, dedicated members spend at least a couple of hours per week on this, in addition to regular vocalizing.

Announcements

There is a short time during each rehearsal for important announcements; other items of information are communicated in a newsletter or handout. If you have an announcement, please give it to the announcement person before rehearsal begins. Questions, suggestions, and comments are very much encouraged; however, please communicate these either directly to a Board member or officer, or write them down and put them in the suggestion bag or box.

Concert Attire

Black Folders. Members provide their own black (matte finish) folder for music, and must bring it to dress rehearsals and concerts. Folders can be purchased through the Society if you wish.

Men wear black tuxedos, white dress shirt with white studs or buttons, black bow tie, and black socks and black shoes.

Women wear a long black dress or black skirt and blouse, black hose, and low, black shoes. Women may wear attire of their choice within the following guidelines. Please remember: Our goal is to keep the concert-goers’ attention on the music and our faces, not the dress or shoes!

Women may choose to wear an ankle-length dress or skirt and blouse.

Fabric: Black, matte-finish fabric, please. Generally, this rules out shiny satin or silk, as well as velvet and lace. Sheer fabric must be lined.

Neckline: Any simple-shaped neckline is acceptable. Collars are acceptable, but please no turtlenecks or mock turtlenecks. Please no cleavage! The lowest point of the neckline should be no more than three fingers’ width (fingers placed horizontally) below the collarbone in front and the same distance from the base of the neck in back. Shoulders must be covered. Black simple long-sleeved jacket is allowed.

Sleeves: Long sleeves are required; no sheer, lace, or balloon-shaped sleeves. Wrist finish may be elastic, plain-hemmed, buttoned, or cuffed.

Skirt: Skirt may be full or narrow.

Length: Dress/skirt should be ankle length. If the top of your ankle shows, the skirt should be lengthened. Skirt should just brush the top of your foot. **Be sure to wear your concert shoes when setting the length of your dress. Dress length is the single most obvious component, and the most commented on by the audience. A uniform length is very important. Be sure dress is not so long that it threatens to trip you on stairs, etc. Experiment with concert shoes on. Back slit is allowable, no higher than back of knee.

Waist: Waist may be gathered, loose, belted, etc. A belt is optional. Guidelines for belt: black matte, not metallic or sequined. A shiny black buckle is acceptable.

Shoes & Hose: Black matte or patent low-heeled shoes (2 inches or lower), please. No boots or ballet slippers, please. Be sure you test your shoe height while wearing your dress to attain the proper dress length. Remember to choose shoes that provide support, room, and comfort.

Jewelry: Jewelry is optional. If you choose to wear jewelry, please follow the guidelines below:

Earrings: Small earrings, gold or silver. If wearing hoop or dangle earrings, please keep them one-half inch or less in length.

Necklace: Plain gold or silver chain necklace without pendant. Please keep width of chain to one-quarter inch or less.

Rings: Please leave your large, sparkly costume rings at home!

Thanks for making our group look professional and consistently beautiful!

Ticket Sales

Each member must sell nine tickets per season, and is encouraged to sell more, as the Society depends heavily on this source of revenue. The minimum sales requirement can be met by the sale of three season tickets, nine individual tickets, or any combination.

Members buy tickets from their section's “ticket captain” (a member who has volunteered for the job). Members must pay for the tickets when they get them from their ticket captains, and there are no refunds — we need to keep track of exactly how many tickets are sold. Checks should be made payable to “Oratorio Society of Minnesota.” Ticket captains keep track of how many tickets each member has sold.

Members receive special pricing on tickets; see your ticket captain for details.

Tickets are available to the public from members and from Ticket Works.

All tickets purchased from Ticket Works (by phone, mail, fax, or online) are full price. Members will receive credit for tickets sold through Ticket Works only if the purchaser mentions the member’s name.

Timing of sales: All member purchases must be made by the end of the final rehearsal before the concert (usually the Saturday rehearsal). All tickets sold after that must be purchased at full price from Ticket Works or at the door.

“Will Call” tickets must be turned in to the ticket captains before the end of the final rehearsal. Please don’t ask for exceptions, as this puts a great strain on those who sell tickets at the door.