Performance and Staging Guidelines

These guidelines have been developed by Oratorio Society chorus members over the years. Suggestions are always welcome.

Preparation

No perfume, cologne, heavy hairspray, or after-shave. Some singers have serious allergies!!
No onion, garlic, cigarette, cigar, pipe, alcohol, or other strong odors on breath.
Turn off chimes and alarms on watches and beepers, or don't wear the watch or beeper. No phones, please.
Have sections of the music you are not singing clipped or bound together so you are not turning pages during passages of music being performed by soloists and/or the orchestra alone.

Carry music in left hand, down at side, going on and off stage.
Bring your music up when the conductor puts a foot on the podium.
Stand or sit quietly. Avoid talking or making direct eye contact with members of the audience while performing. Expressive movement during singing can enhance one's experience of the music; be aware, however, that too much movement may be distracting to all.
During any long periods of time when you are not singing, hold your music at “half-mast” — in position, but a little lower than when you're singing.
Put your music down to your left side when the conductor steps off the podium.
Please do not clap for anyone on-stage, since you are part of the performance. A relaxed stance and a smile are encouraged!
We will begin to exit the stage when the applause has died out. Leaders should begin to exit immediately at that point.