TOCCATA

The Orchestra and Community Choral Artists of the Tahoe Area

Choral Code of Conduct – Revision 3

The following are guidelines for choral members. Questions or concerns may be directed
to the Choral Interface (CI) listed below.

CI: Eileen Angelucci

775-267-1720
coasters45@hotmail.com

Attendance
TOCCATA publishes its concert series several months in advance, with a tentative
schedule for each series. You will be polled at that time to see which series you are
interested in singing. (Soloists are encouraged to make their own arrangements with the
director.) You may opt to sing one or several concert series. Every attempt will be made
to get practice CDs and music to you for the series you select. Once you commit to a
series, we expect you to follow through and sing that series, unless you have extenuating
circumstances.

Singers (soloists excluded) will be expected to attend all but two rehearsals for each
series, including the read-through sessions held in their area; (i.e., Reno, Carson City,
Truckee, etc.). Anyone requiring more than two absences must ask permission of the
director as well as notifying the CI.

Singers are expected to sing all but one concert of a three or four concert series. There
will be times when one of the venues will be mandatory for all singers; (e.g., Messiah at
Squaw Creek Resort.). TOCCATA may, on occasion, ask a singer to change the concert
they plan to take off because of lack of coverage at a particular venue. The earlier you
can provide your planned concert schedule to the CI, the better.

Singers are expected to report promptly at the “call time”. If you have a “last minute”
emergency and you cannot be on time, call the director at 787-602-2121 to report your
problem. We realize that there is a considerable amount of “down” time for the chorus
members. The director is encouraged to minimize this time but since this is not always
possible, prepare accordingly by bringing reading material, etc.

Vocal parts
Although the chorus continues to grow, TOCCATA performs large works with a
relatively small chorus. For this reason, it is important that our singers are flexible and
willing to cover parts other than their preferred part for purposes of balance. The director
prefers all singers to double entrances in which they are not singing. For example, if you
are a baritone and are not singing when the tenors have an entrance, double their
entrance. However, singers are responsible for their own vocal health. Therefore, if you
have a limited range or it is a strain to sing that much, do not risk your own vocal health
to sing other entrances.

All alto’s that sing Sop.2 when there is a soprano split should be prepared to sing either
alto or soprano in the non-soprano split movements. This gives TOCCATA the ability to
better balance women’s voices in certain venues where the women are physically split;
(i.e., Trinity).

Attire
Unless otherwise stated, women (excluding soloists) wear all black attire with pearl
necklaces and pearl studs. We prefer no plunging necklines, skirts slit up high on the
thigh, or anything else that would detract from the performance. Soloists may make their
own arrangements regarding color and style of dress with the director.

Unless otherwise stated, men wear tuxedos, white shirts, black shoes, and black bow ties.

No perfume or aftershave should be worn as this causes serious allergic reactions for
some singers and orchestral players.

Folders
Unless otherwise stated, folders/covers should be black. Music scores can be spiral
bound with black covers very inexpensively at Kinko’s, Office Depot, etc.

Stage presence
When processing on and off the stage, folders should be down at the side facing away
from the audience. Stay standing until the designated leader seats you. Raise your folder
when motioned by the director (and if you don’t receive a cue for raising your folder, do
so as soon as the director raises his hand to begin the piece.) Folders should remain open
on your lap when you are seated and not singing.

If already seated, stand with the orchestra when the director walks out at the beginning
(or after intermission).

When on stage, sit quietly and do not talk. When you are not singing, do not follow
along in your music when others are singing/playing.

After the chorus is finished performing, close your folders and put them down to the side
that will be away from the audience if you were to process out.

If the chorus is standing when the applause begins at the end of the piece, the first bow
will be for the chorus. Keep your eyes on the director and when signaled to bow, bow
from the neck only, hold for three seconds, and return to an erect position.

2
If seated when the applause begins at the end of the piece, do not stand unless the director
asks you to rise. When the director signals, stand and bow once as above. Do not clap
and please – no “cat calls”.

If you cannot make it through a performance without water because of health reasons, use
an enclosed bottle that contains a straw that allows you to unobtrusively take a sip.

Rehearsal etiquette
As with a performance, you are expected to arrive by the call time, properly warmed up.
(TOCCATA is an adult/professional type chorus and therefore, there are no vocal warm-
ups. If enough singers arrive 10 minutes early and one of the choral directors is present,
you may ask that director to warm up the group that is already present.)

Do not talk when others are rehearsing or when the director is talking. Do not correct any
singers, soloists, pianists, or orchestral members unless you are designated as an assistant
director or section leader. If you have a question or suggestion about something in
rehearsal, raise your hand and wait to be called on by the director.

It is a good policy to mark measure numbers and rehearsal numbers in your music at the
very first rehearsal to facilitate starting/stopping during rehearsal and for asking questions
about certain passages.

TOCCATA prefers you not use any perfume or aftershave at rehearsals either but we
realize that this may be difficult if you are coming from work, a meeting, etc. If it is a
rehearsal day, try to refrain from using a fragrance.

Auditions
TOCCATA will occasionally hold auditions for the entire chorus to enable the director to
properly place singers within the chorus for balance, and to ensure that the quality of
TOCCATA is being maintained. This will be a short, non-sight-reading audition and
singers will receive plenty of notice about the audition schedule.

Miscellaneous
Valuables: Purses or any other valuables should be left in your car. Your belongings
should be left in an appropriate and inconspicuous place at the venue. TOCCATA is not
responsible for any lost articles at a venue.

Communication: The main way TOCCATA communicates with the chorus is through
emails. If you are singing a series, check your email frequently, especially on rehearsal
or performance days.

Publicity: As TOCCATA does not yet have an advertising budget, it is important that you
spread the word to all of your friends/associates about upcoming concerts and to post as
many concert posters in your area as is feasible for you.

3
Artist passes will be given out at a rehearsal shortly before each series. Each artist
receives one pass that is to be used in one of two ways only – to attend a concert that you
are not performing or for a significant other to come when you are performing.
TOCCATA asks choral singers not to canvas other singers to ask whether or not they are
using their pass, so as to collect several passes for their friends. TOCCATA is trying to
develop a paying audience. Our concerts and your ability as a singer should be valued
enough that your friends will be willing to pay to hear the concert.

Guest passes are available only to people who have expressed a strong interest in
becoming a donor. If you know someone who is a likely candidate to become a
TOCCATA donor, offer them guest passes to a concert as an incentive for them to join.

Corrections/additions
Any suggestions for improving this document may be sent to the CI as listed above.