Chorister Handbook 2025–2026
WELCOME to Island Voices Chamber Choir. It is an honour to be selected and participate in an ensemble with such a strong tradition and excellent reputation. Individual choristers are what allows the choir to fulfill its mission:
- to sing excellent music excellently,
- to make quality choral music accessible to a diverse range of people,
- to foster cooperation and collaboration in the music, artistic, and cultural communities,
- to support Canadian choral musicians, composers, arrangers, conductors, and choristers,
- to build supportive and caring community among its members.
An excellent choir attempts to balance the needs of the ensemble as a whole with the needs of individual choristers. Philosophical underpinnings guide basic policies and expectations.
1. Rehearsal and Attendance
An excellent choir is built on commitment to rehearsal and concert attendance. Rehearsals are designed for listening and developing together and regularly occur on Wednesdays from 6:30–8:45 at Black Creek United Mennonite Church (2277 Enns Rd.). Each chorister is counting on every other chorister to be present and prompt in order to fully listen and create an overall choral sound. Many choose to carpool.
Hence, missed rehearsals cannot be “made-up.” Absences are not “excused” or “unexcused”; they are just absences. There are, however, planned absences and unplanned absences. Life happens. Some examples of planned absences (since those are known in advance) include work or major travel that cannot be scheduled at another time. Some examples of unplanned absences include illness, travel interruptions, emergencies or other extenuating circumstances. Some examples of non-extenuating circumstances include birthdays, anniversaries, parties, social events, work fatigue, rain. Choristers are entrusted to make wise decisions to keep themselves safe and healthy, while maintaining their commitment to the rest of the choir. Planned absenteeism (especially performances and multiple rehearsals in a row) should be coordinated with the music director to see if it can be accommodated.
Notification of absence is professional, polite, and expected. An absence without notification is cause for genuine personal concern. (The reply to “Can you do so-and-so at a rehearsal/concert time?” is “I’m sorry I have a commitment that night”. Or alternatively, “I have to ask if I can get out of a commitment I’ve made.”) The choir’s ability to accommodate absenteeism varies from chorister to chorister. One should not expect that missing rehearsal is “no big deal” nor that it would not affect future involvement in the choir. “Don’t worry, I’ll practice on my own” is not applicable since it is expected anyway and does not replace rehearsal.
Choristers are generally expected to commit to the annual calendar, which includes dates, times, and places. It is set as far in advance as possible to allow for adequate planning. Since commitments that choristers made elsewhere are honoured as much as the commitments they make to the choir, any potential schedule additions are presented to the choir as optional. While choristers are encouraged to participate in such opportunities, they are never absolute requirements and can be declined for any reason. Invitations can be accepted if there is a reasonable commitment from individual choristers to form an ensemble that maintains the standard of the entire choir.
2. Practice
An excellent choir relies on advance preparation for rehearsal. Personal practice is expected to develop confidence, incorporating rehearsal notes into details printed in the score. Ad hoc sectionals provide the opportunity to solidify musical details as well as to confirm or make group decisions regarding particular elements not in the score (divisi, dynamics, phrasing, and the like). ‘Mixed sectionals’ or practice pods provide the opportunity to develop individual independence in part-singing, as well as tuning, alignment, balance and blend. Individuals who find support from practice tracks, recordings or other materials are responsible to secure them. Assistance for various modes of preparation are often available from others in the ensemble.
3. Materials
An excellent choir has choristers who take responsibility for what they need. Music scores are distributed by the choir librarian, which should not be hole-punched, highlighted, or marked in pen. Lost or mutilated music is chargeable. E-copies can be made available. Other materials are the responsibility of individual choristers, including pencils, water bottles, stools, cushions, music stands, snacks, notebooks, personal auxiliary instruments, or anything else needed. Performance attire, including a black folder, is the responsibility of each singer. A sleeved black top (covering underarms and midriff), pants or skirt (covering thighs), shoes and socks/hose are complimented with an accessory (wrap or tie) provided by the wardrobe manager. Scented products are not permitted in rehearsal or performance.
4. Finances
An excellent choir needs finances in order to operate. The choir fee, set by the board of directors is $410 for 2025–2026. It includes professionally led rehearsals, use of music, retreats, vocal coaching, workshops, formal voting membership in the society, as well as support for things like venue rental, insurance, advertising. While a choir fee is essential, it should never be a barrier. Various payment plans or bursary arrangements can be made with the treasurer. In a similar vein, those in a position to be financially supportive are encouraged to make a tax-deductible contribution.
5. Volunteerism
An excellent choir relies on a strong volunteer base in order to function. Choristers beyond their first year are expected to take on some formal or informal volunteer role in the choir and first-year choristers are encouraged to do so. Numerous volunteer opportunities, for choristers and others, outlined in the Volunteer Handbook facilitate the management of the organization, without which the choir would not exist.
6. Communication
An excellent choir maintains regular, informative, and necessary communication. Generally accomplished through e-mail, which should be checked regularly, and the “members” page on the website (www.islandvoiceschamberchoir.bc.ca). Other forms of communication are best saved for emergencies. Open, honest, and positive relationships are highly encouraged.
