Thinking of Joining

Thinking of Joining?

The Putnam Chorale is the major community choral group of Putnam County. Its members come from every town in Putnam County, as well as Southern Dutchess, Northern Westchester, and Fairfield Counties. Membership is open to all adults and young adults (high school age and older), who like to sing. Chorale members differ widely in their musical training. Some have considerable training and experience, some have experience singing in church choirs, some play instruments, and some cannot read music but learn by ear through repetition. In addition to weekly rehearsals, practice audio tapes of the major works of music are often available to help you spend additional time learning the music at home. The Chorale members are extremely supportive and helpful to each other. The bond that cements this group is the joy of singing together. You are more than welcome to attend a rehearsal and we invite you to come. Most people who give us a try, decide to join.

There are no auditions required to join the Chorale. The director may choose to re-voice sections of the chorale to get a better sound by placing individuals into the group where they will sound the best.

As a nonprofit organization, the group supports itself financially through concert ticket sales, advertising in concert programs, individual donations, Member dues, and grants funded by the New York State council on the Arts Decentralization Program administered in Putnam County by the Putnam Arts Council.

Here are some things you need to know upon joining:

Rehearsals:

Monday nights, from 7:15 PM to 9:30 PM, at the Guideposts Cafeteria dining room in Carmel. We do rehearse on holidays. Occasionally there will be a teaching session or sectional rehearsal beginning at 7 PM (before regular rehearsal begins). In the event of cataclysmic weather conditions you will receive a phone call or e-mail from your section leader concerning cancellation. It will be important to have your phone number, address, and e-mail address for chorale-related notifications. The Winter season runs from September through mid-December, and the Spring season runs from January through late April. No rehearsals during the summer except possibly for those in the Putnam Chorale Ensemble if they have special engagements.

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Concerts:

Four concert programs are produced each year. The two Fall-Winter concert programs consist of one weekend of two concerts (November or early December), plus one holiday concert (December). The other two concert programs are in the Spring and consist of one concert in March, and one weekend of two concerts in late April. During the week leading up to each concert weekend, there are dress rehearsals normally on Monday and Thursday nights. There is a mid-Winter break after the December holiday concert from mid-December to the first Monday of January. After the Spring concert, rehearsals stop for the Summer and resume the first Monday after Labor Day. Often there are summer events the chorale may host which are optional but you may be interested to participate in.

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Attendance:

The main purpose of the Chorale is to enjoy singing together with a group of friendly, like-minded people, but we do intensely prepare for six concerts per year. In order to ensure the highest level of excellence in our performance at these concerts, we strongly encourage full attendance. If you miss more than three rehearsals per season, please speak to the Director, who at his discretion, may require a demonstration of your knowledge of the music before permitting you to sing in the upcoming concerts.

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Concert Attire:

Women: Black ankle-length long skirts and long-sleeved black tops, or long-sleeved black dress.

Men: Tuxedo or black suit with black bow tie, white shirt. (Note: Women tenors may choose either attire.)

For All: Black shoes; black music folder; minimal jewelry; NO perfume, cologne or scented lotions at rehearsals or concerts since some people have allergies.

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Financial Obligations:

The Putnam Chorale has instituted Member dues in order to help meet its financial needs for the season. Dues are $80 per person, per season (Fall and Spring), payable by the third rehearsal night of the new season. Dues are non-refundable, but you are welcome to try two rehearsals before making a commitment to join. As part of your dues, you will receive 5 concert tickets, which you are welcome to sell to recoup your cost, or give away. In addition, you are required to pay for your music (which is yours to keep and write in). You may also have the option to purchase rehearsal CDs to rehearse with your music at home. The cost of music and rehearsal CDs run about $20 per season. (If this is a hardship for you, please speak to a board member to work out an alternate and confidential arrangement.) You may purchase or provide your own black music folder for use at concerts. You are also requested to help solicit paid advertising for concert programs and/or donations from private individuals.

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Pitching In:

The Chorale is a volunteer organization that runs on the hard work and good will of its members. There are many opportunities for lending a hand to make the work easier and all are appreciated. Some of these include: helping with the bi-annual mailing; taking a turn to provide refreshments at rehearsals, helping to set up or take down at concerts, distributing flyers, helping with program design, publicity, making phone calls, helping with fundraising projects, and performing with the Putnam Chorale Ensemble.

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