Mission Statement

The mission of the Bisbee Community Chorus, as musical ambassadors of Bisbee / Cochise County, is to provide vocal music in its various forms to this community and elsewhere for the musical joy, musical education, and edification of the singers and aficionados of this art.

Registration Fee

A registration fee of $40 per season is used to help defray the cost of purchasing new music and maintaining the music library. Depending on the repertoire, a chorister will have the use of $100-$150 worth of music during any given season. At $40 per season, the cost is just over $1 per week--- for 2+ hours of singing enjoyment!

Potential chorus members are welcome to check out the BCC for a rehearsal or two to see if belonging to the group will be an enjoyable and comfortable experience. After that point we ask that the registration fee be paid. If financial constraints make it a hardship to pay the entire amount at once, please speak with the treasurer, Barbara Hill, to arrange to make payments as your means allow. It is never the intent of the chorus to bar anyone from participation due to lack of funds. Registration fees are waived for high school choral students who join the BCC with the recommendation of their instructor.

Music

Choristers are not required to pay for their music when it is distributed. However, it is expected that good care will be taken to prevent the music from being damaged or lost, and that the music will be returned promptly when it is called in. Notations in music should be made ONLY IN PENCIL, and erased before the music is turned in. Please do not use hi-lighters. It is most annoying to try to use a music score that is permanently hi-lighted for another part. Please avoid using tabs or sticky attachments that tear the music when they are removed.

It is expected that members will pay for any lost or damaged music at replacement cost [Remember that if music is several years old, replacement cost can be double the original cost or higher] If a member drops out after he or she has been issued a packet of music, the music should be returned immediately to the librarian or section leader. Choristers provide their own black folder or notebook to hold music during performances.

Chorus Rehearsals

Regular rehearsal night is Thursday from 7-9 p.m. in the downstairs conference room of the Bisbee Convention left. The 6-7 p.m. period is used for sectionals or as otherwise determined by the artistic director. We make every effort to begin and end on time. Choristers are asked to arrive early enough to pick up any new music or other information being distributed, take care of any necessary business, and be ready to sing at 7 p.m. Please have a pencil handy to make notes in the music as given by the Artistic Director.

Please be considerate of your fellow choristers at all rehearsals and performances. Please plan to focus on the music, and save talking for before or after rehearsal, or during breaks. Please do not wear scented deodorants, hair spray, perfume, aftershave, etc. Allergies make breathing and singing difficult. Some allergies can be life threatening.

Attendance

The entire season has been scheduled, with nearly all rehearsals on Thursday, to permit choristers to plan ahead so that rehearsal nights are free. Every effort will be made to adhere to the schedule as planned, barring unforeseen circumstances.

While it is recognized that "life happens" and sometimes it is necessary to miss a rehearsal, choristers are reminded that a missed rehearsal by any one member negatively impacts the whole section. Please commit to attending every rehearsal. In the case of repeated missed rehearsals, the Artistic Director may ask a chorus member to demonstrate mastery of the music before taking part in a concert. Please advise your section leader if you will miss a rehearsal. If complications require you to opt out of a particular concert because you cannot attend rehearsals, please return your music and advise your section leader of your circumstances.

Concert Attire

Our concert attire is most often concert black tuxedos for the men, and uniform black tops and long black skirts or slacks (or tuxedos) for the women, with occasional accessories. Choristers are encouraged to order the standard concert attire. If this is not possible, alternate clothing may be worn if it is in keeping with the uniform, professional appearance that we strive for. Please be sure to pick up and review a copy of the concert attire guidelines.