chimay

Choir Rules

Thanet Festival Choir is a registered charity, its objectives being to rehearse and perform a wide variety of choral works.

Rehearsals are held weekly on Wednesday evenings at 7.45pm in the Holy Trinity Church Hall, Cliftonville. Cold drinks and biscuits are available in the interval at a cost of 20p. These refreshments are prepared by members on a rota basis.

The Choir year is divided into three sessions, roughly corresponding with the school terms. Concerts are normally given at the end of each session. Concert dress for ladies is a long-sleeved black blouse or top with a full length black skirt and black shoes, and for men dinner jacket and trousers, white shirt and black shoes. Members are also requires to purchase a black 'Thanet Festival Choir' music folder. These are available from the Librarian of the Music Director at a cost of £4.50.

The Music Director will normally audition new members on joining and all current members every four or five years. Membership is at his discretion.

The annual subscription is currently 2009 GBP66 and generally increases each year to take account of inflation. The subscription may be paid in two instalments, due in September and January. Membership is free to students in full time education and in cases of exceptional hardship a reduced subscription may be negotiated through the Treasurer. The Choirs financial year runs from 1st May to 30th April. Members who pay income tax can help Choir funds by signing a Gift Aid form so that basic rate income tax can be reclaimed.

Members are expected to attend rehearsals regularly and an attendance register is kept by the Treasurer. Please help her by reporting your presence each week. Members are asked to put their name in the Apologies Book which is kept on the table with the person taking the weekly attendance register, when they know in advance that they are going to miss a rehearsal. If this is not possible a telephone call to the Chairman, Secretary or Music Director would be appreciated.

The Choir is managed by a committee made up as follows: Music Director, Chairman, Deputy Chairman, General Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian, Ticket Secretary, Publicity Officer, Orchestra Secretary, plus at least two other Choir members. Officers are elected for two years and may stand for re-election for one further period of two years. There are also four Section Representatives, one for each voice part. Sections Representatives are not Committee Members but are a first point of contact and support for members of their respective sections.

Works to be performed are chosen by the Music Director. Music is normally available to hire from the Librarian at a small charge, or members may prefer to buy their own copies. This can also be arranged through the Librarian. The music Director may ask a members not to take part in a concert performance if he considers him or her to be under rehearsed. The Music Director may, at his discretion, bring in extra singers to reinforce the Choir if he feels that this is necessary in order to secure a good concert performance.

Suggestions and constructive criticism regarding the activities and management of the Choir are always welcome.

Last Updated: 08/01/2010