Keep rehearsal times reserved for rehearsal — don't schedule outings, social events, make-up lessons or other organizations' rehearsals or meetings at that time. The girls must be able to count on each other in both the learning and the polishing processes. Our limited time must be used to full advantage. Please help your child to meet her commitment to the group. It is tremendously demoralizing to the girls to arrive at practice and find that others are routinely late or absent.
As in any performing organization, concert participation is required. Enter dates and times in your calendar when you get them, so that they don't come as a last-minute surprise. We try for 6 weeks' lead time on concerts to help you, and expect the same courtesy if you are faced with an unavoidable conflict. We can't cancel at the last minute.
If your daughter absolutely must miss rehearsal, please tell the director when you find out. Please do not expect the director to arrange for make-up coaching or to make practice tapes. Expected attendance greatly influences the director's rehearsal plan. Remember that parents must call if a girl must miss rehearsal — NOT the girl. The director needs to hear from parents by 1:00 p.m. that Sunday; earlier if at all possible. Otherwise, an unexcused mark will result. Girls will not be excused for social events.
Read handouts and newsletters carefully and respond to items by their deadlines! Ask your daughter if she has a handout for you — especially close to concerts.
During rehearsal . . . If you wish to attend rehearsal, please do not talk. Children in your care must be quiet, and should not wander the room or interfere with rehearsal. (You're welcome to chat outside the room!) Do ask the director's permission before inviting others to visit rehearsal. There are some times (such as those primarily spent learning new music) when we shouldn't be on display! The director, Austin Girls' Choir and the host institution will not be responsible for unsupervised minor visitors. No photographs without advance permission from the director. And do not interrupt rehearsal to talk to the director or to choristers. Once rehearsal starts, conversation should be only between director and choristers.
Boosters meetings are intended to be constructive information and planning sessions that are for your benefit as well as to help the organization. Make an effort to have one parent present for meetings. They are the most efficient means of communication we have. Attending allows you to ask questions, make suggestions and share ideas. Please realize that for each person who does not attend, another person must spend 30 minutes (average) of his/her time connecting with him to repeat the same information.
If you take on a responsibility for the choir and find you are unable to follow through, you must find a reliable, responsible replacement, and you must let the Committee Chair and the director know who that person is. Give as much lead time as possible, please.
Tired, hoarse choristers don't handle rehearsals or performances well, and affect the choir's output. A good night's sleep before a concert is invaluable. Likewise, gulping food before a concert can have disastrous results — girls should finish eating snacks or meals at least one hour before a performance.
We are guests at the Presbyterian Seminary, and must respect their rules: no food or drinks in the building, no use of rooms other than those reserved by the Choir, and no loud noise or running in the building. Neither the Seminary nor the Choir will be responsible for children dropped off early
Arrive on time to pick up choristers from rehearsals or performances. Parents' tardiness can frighten girls and inconveniences the adult who must wait for them. If a girl's ride has not appeared 20 minutes after the appointed pick-up time, the adult waiting with her may leave a note or phone message and take her along to his/her next location.
Telephone calls to the Artistic Director may be made between 9 a.m.-9 p.m. to 834-3694. Messages should include your name, telephone number, best times to reach you, and your question or information. (Please be sure that you have carefully read handouts and newsletter first!) Calls made or messages left at any other number will be ignored.
The Choir Directory is for the use of this organization only, and may not be shared with other organizations or individuals.
