Membership information

The following is from a handout distributed to singers at the beginning of each season. See also the "How to Join" and "Calendar" buttons at left.

Members-only area of the web site

This web site has a members-only area. If you're a current member, click here to access this area (type member for the user name and then enter the password that was distributed earlier).

Mission Statement

Mount Desert Summer chorale (MDSC) is a community arts organization dedicated to the presentation of major works for chorus and orchestra and other masterworks for choirs. From June through August, the Chorale brings together volunteers from the year-round and summer communities in and around Mount Desert Island, Maine, to rehearse and perform concerts of the highest possible quality for the growth of the choir members and the enjoyment of Hancock County area audiences. We provide performance opportunities for skilled, non-auditioned, volunteer singers, choral arts education for young people and adults, and opportunities to work with professional musicians. We are committed to community outreach and to the principle that participation in the chorale and attendance at concerts will never be limited by the financial considerations of the participants.

Membership

MDSC is a non-auditioned community chorus made up of experienced singers from Mount Desert Island and the surrounding communities, as well as those from away. The Chorale welcomes high school students upon the recommendation of their music director.

Rehearsals

The rehearsal schedule is generally available by April and can be found on the MDSC website (mountdesertsummerchorale.org) and will also be communicated to singers by e-mail and surface mail at that time. Rehearsals are held at St. Saviour's Episcopal Church in Bar Harbor on Wednesday evenings starting with the last Wednesday in June. Wednesday rehearsals in July typically begin at 6:30 for sectional work; other rehearsals begin at 7 PM. All rehearsal times are specifically listed on the schedule. Additional rehearsals will be held on selected weekends and during concert week.

Rehearsal Reminders

Most rehearsal time is spent on musical goals and style. It is therefore your responsibility to ensure that notes and rhythms are secure. Difficult passages will be addressed during sectional rehearsals. If you discover passages that you feel require additional attention during rehearsal, please point them out to the accompanist or Music Director during the break or after rehearsal.

Please disable all noise-making devices such as cell phones, pagers and watches.

Please be in your seat, ready to rehearse, at the appointed time.

Please be sensitive to the flow of the rehearsal; be attentive, so that you do not need to ask for information to be repeated. Raise significant matters of confusion when they arise, but please do so in a way that respects everyone's concentration and focus.

Restrict all conversation to time periods before and after rehearsals and during the break.

Pay close attention when another section is rehearsing: how does your part fit in? Is there information that applies to your part? Stay engaged in the flow of the rehearsal so that you know where to begin when it is time for your section to sing.

Please ensure that your area is picked up and free of personal belongings and trash, etc. after each rehearsal. Take your folding chair to the storage room in the choir hall.

A refreshment break will take place halfway through the rehearsal. Please do your part by volunteering to provide drinks and/or snacks.

Be Mindful! Mindful performers rehearse wisely to develop expertise and to stay creative. Mindful rehearsing means that you are always looking for something new, always seeking a way to improve your performance.

Attendance

Since we usually have no more than nine rehearsals to prepare major works, regular attendance is a must. The musical quality of our performances, the development of ensemble artistry and the morale of the organization depend on regular and prompt attendance at all rehearsals and concerts. Each member will be permitted two absences (excluding concert week). Further absences must receive the approval of the Music Director.

A performance schedule will be distributed prior to the beginning of the season. Please reserve these dates on your calendar. You are an invaluable member of MDSC and we need to know that all members will be able to sing both performances and the concert week rehearsals in particular. Attendance at the first orchestra rehearsal and the dress rehearsal (usually the Wednesday and Friday preceding the concert) is mandatory. If you miss either or both of these rehearsals without the express permission of the Music Director, you will not be permitted to sing the concert.

Member Expenses

Each chorus member is expected to pay dues and to purchase their own music in the approved edition. Student members on scholarship from the Chorale have their dues and music costs covered. For other members for whom these expenses represent a hardship, please let the Music Director or a board member know and we will attempt to make appropriate arrangements.

Volunteer commitment

Ticket revenue and chorus dues cover about 30% of the cost of putting on the annual concerts of the MDSC. In addition to working on the music, each member of the Chorale is expected to help with the countless tasks that make a fine concert run smoothly, such as publicity (including putting up posters and flyers and recruiting audience members), soliciting donations and program advertising as well as rehearsal and concert setup and cleanup. Please also consider serving on the Board. Opportunities for volunteering in these and other ways will be communicated at rehearsals. Share your enthusiasm for this group with others and encourage them to join us as a singer or audience member.

Concert Dress

For women, the dress is white, long or ¾ length sleeve tops and a long black skirt or pants. Men wear white, long-sleeved shirts and dark pants. Please wear dark, comfortable shoes.

Concert Behavior

Plan rest room visits well before lining up to go on stage.

Disable all noise-making devices (phones, watches, pagers, etc.)

Please do not wear cologne, perfume or heavily scented deodorants.

Carry music in the hand that is upstage (away) from the audience.

Only music should be brought on stage. Other materials are inappropriate.

Paper clip music to next choral entrance. Do not follow the music during solos.

Turn pages quietly.

Tips for peak performance

Quiet the mind: focus only on the performance.

Perform with intent: know what you are trying to accomplish musically and emotionally at each moment.

Steady your breath and use it well.

Trust your instincts.

Be confident.

Stay in the moment: maintain a laser-like focus on the present, rather than reflecting on what has already happened or anticipating problems that are coming up.

Enjoy the moment—have fun!

Use these tips both in rehearsal and performance. Practice the way you intend to perform: this will help make rehearsals and performances more enjoyable!