January 2010

Concert Matters:
Our next concert - Bernstein Chichester Psalms, Britten Rejoice in the Lamb and Rutter Gloria - will be on Saturday 8th May at 7.30pm in St. Mary the Virgin's Church, Charlbury.  There will be a rehearsal during the afternoon on the day of the concert (details will be advised nearer the day). 

Volunteers will be needed to help with setting up the church and clearing up afterwards - please see Toby or Sarah! 

Dress Code for all CNCS concerts (including the Music Festival) is black blouse (with or without black jacket), long black skirt or trousers and black tights for ladies; DJ (or black jacket and trousers), white shirt and black bow tie for gentleman; and black shoes for all! 

Tickets - the sale of concert tickets is an important part of our income and helps towards the cost of each concert - and it is much nicer to perform to a big audience!  We will issue 3 tickets to each member later in the term and would ask you to sell them if you possibly can, or return them for sale to others if you cannot.  Warn your friends!  


Other Important Dates:
Starting again: Rehearsals start again on Wednesday 6th January 2010. 

Half term: there will be no rehearsal on Wednesday 17th February for half term. 

Easter: there will be no rehearsals on Wednesday 7th April and Wednesday 14th April for the Easter break. 

Apart from that, we will rehearse every week on Wednesdays from 6th January to 5th May inclusive. 

In addition, we will of course support the Chipping Norton Music Festival and enter the Open Choirs class on the afternoon of Saturday 6th March - more details nearer the time!   


People:
Our Musical Director is Peter Hunt, and Assistant Musical Director is Bernard West. 

The Committee members are Toby Blundell (Vice Chairman and Concert Manager), Sarah Cobb (Chairman), Caroline Johnston (Publicity and Assistant Librarian), Graham Pike (Friends Secretary and local choirs liaison), Vicki Pike (Librarian), Jo Rigg (Publicity and Assistant Librarian), Beth Sinclair (Secretary),  Betsy Tyler-Bee (Subscriptions and Membership Secretary), Andrew Vaile (Tickets Secretary) and Denis Wynn (Treasurer). 

The Music Committee members are voice representatives Wendy Guest (soprano), Beth Sinclair (alto), Roger Stein (tenor) and Dennis Mowbray (bass); plus Peter, Bernard, Vicki, Caroline, Jo, Toby and Sarah.  Although we have much of our programme mapped out for a number of years, we are always keen to hear ideas – so please talk to your rep with any ideas you have for future concerts, or any member of the committee. 

Details of the Committee Members, the Music Committee Members and other committee matters can be found here.  Please ask any of us about any suggestions or questions you may have. 


Rehearsals and Scores:
Rehearsals are from 7.30 - 9.30 pm each Wednesday, with a break for notices and the raffle.  Please do arrive punctually.  There are Attendance Sheets for you to tick your name.  Can you please also indicate if you intend to sing in the concert. 

The Raffle, currently run by Becky Horton, takes place each week and raises money for Society funds.  Tickets are 20p each.  Please remember to bring a prize to add to the box and to tick your name when you do. 

Music scores are available for for sale (if you've ordered beforehand) or on hire from Vicki, Jo and Caroline.  Please make cheques payable to Chipping Norton Choral Society. 

Hire copies should be returned immediately after the concert; if you find you are unable to sing in the concert, please return them to one of the librarians straightaway.  Any marks on hire copies must be in pencil, and should be erased before returning. 


Money:
Subscriptions - please see Betsy, who will tell you when your subscription is due.  The annual rate is £60 (£50 concessions).  If you are a tax payer, please ask for a Gift Aid form so the society can reclaim tax at no cost to you. 


Anything else?!  Please ask! 
If you have any other questions or suggestions, please ask any committee member at a rehearsal.  In addition, Sarah Cobb (Chairman) can be contacted by email by clicking here; Toby Blundell (Vice Chairman and Concert Manager) can be contacted by email by clicking here. We hope you all enjoy this term!