Touring Choir Handbook 2014-2015

This HANDBOOK contains a great deal of very

important information. It is the responsibility of each BCBC Touring Choir member,

and his parents/guardians, to read it in its entirety,

and be familiar with the contents.

Touring Choir Member Handbook 2014–15 As of August 2014

OUR GOAL

To give each boy a lifelong

love of music

w w w . b c b o y s c h o i r. o r g [email protected] | Toll-free1-888-909-8282

Table of Contents

1. British Columbia Boys Choir 3History

BCBC Society

Our Artistic Team

BCBC Administration

2. Expectation for Singers 5Basic BCBC Rules

Guidelines sfor Singers

Attendance at Rehearsals and Concerts

School & Community Conflicts with Choir Events

Rehearsal Etiquette

3. Music 7The BCBC Red Book

4. Communication 7

5. Administration 8The BCBC Administrative Offices

Administration & Production

Music Instruction & Singing

Rehearsal Schedule 2014–15 Season

6. 2014–15 Performances 8Community Concerts & Events

School Concerts

Secondary School Credit

On Concert Days

7. General Info on Touring 9Questions?

Chaperones

Passports & Visas

Medical Insurance

Activities on the Bus

Accommdation on Tour

Contact with Home

Healthy Food & Rest

Hosting Other Choirs

8. Uniforms — new this year! 11Touring Choir Uniform

Items Purchased by Touring Choir Members

Loss of Uniform

Specifications for Uniforms

Appearance

9. Photographic Permission Form 12

10. Spread the News! 13CD Recordings

Priceless Memories

11. Money matters 14BCBC Financial Policies

BCBC Fundraising Policy

Financial Commitment for 2014–15

Sponsorship Opportunities

Service Clubs

BCBC Bursary Fund

12. Volunteer Responsibility 14

BCBC 2014–15 Touring Choir Handbook | 3

1. British Columbia Boys ChoirHISTORY Founded in 1968 by Donald Forbes, the British Columbia Boys Choir has developed a long tradi-tion of teaching boys in British Columbia to sing and per-

form. The Choir has won international acclaim throughout Canada, the Netherlands, the United States, Europe, the Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, China, and Costa Rica. The British Columbia Boys Choir currently has four

Choirs: an International Touring Choir, the Senior

Island Choir (Nanaimo) and two Town Choirs with members ranging in age from

7–24 years and residing across the Greater Vancouver area and

Vancouver Island. The Touring Choir is a four-part, non-liturgical

boys choir, one of the few in North America. Over its 45-year history, the BCBC has trained over 900 boys who have represented Canada on 35 international tours, performing a demanding repertoire spanning centuries, from Grego-rian chant to contemporary works. Programmes frequently include sacred and secular works, selections from musicals and opera, folk songs from around the world, and an assort-ment of Canadian works; many specifically composed for the Choir. In addition to frequent radio and television appear-ances, the Choir has made over 20 recordings, and a one-hour documentary film, “Summer Song,” was produced by the CBC, profiling the Choir’s 10th tour to The Netherlands. The Choir currently has recorded three CDs: Spirit, Home and If My Voice had Wings, and in May 2014 a book entitled A Song to Remember was published in celebration of the Choir’s 45th Anniversary. BCBC SOCIETY The British Columbia Boys Choir is a registered non-profit organization that is governed by a Board of Directors composed of parents, alumni and mem-bers of the community. An Annual General Meeting is held each fall. BCBC Charitable #: 0435982-22.

Annual General Meeting: Wednesday October 29, 2014 6:45 p.m. at Deer Lake United Church, Burnaby.

The Board of Directors of the British Columbia Boys Choir is a “Working Board” that meets every two months and makes decisions on policies of the organization, and ensures the financial well being of the organization. The Artistic and Executive Directors sit as Ex-Officio members of the Board. Any parent interested in being a Board member is wel-come to put their name forward. ***It is recommended that parents interested in being a Board Member be involved with the British Columbia Boys Choir for at least one year, so that they are familiar with how the Choir operates. Board members are elected to one-year terms that are renewable at the Annual General Meeting. Board President, Lynn MacKinnon: [email protected]

OUR ARTISTIC TEAM Tony AraujoARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Tony Araujo’s career as conductor and master teacher links the standards of professional performance with the goals of music education. Celebrated for his spirited and moving concerts,

Araujo’s commitment to choral music is recognized in his innovative programming, teaching initiatives, conducting appearances, and award-winning ensembles that have per-formed throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

Araujo has held the position of Artistic Director of the British Columbia Boys since his appointment in 2003. He has conducted the Touring Choir on international tours through-out China, Australia, Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Costa Rica. The Touring Choir has garnished international acclaim for performing demand-ing repertoire spanning centuries, from Gregorian chant to contemporary commissioned works.

Araujo’s seminal work fostered the award winning choral music program at St. Patrick Regional Secondary in Vancouver, BC where nearly half the school population each year has been enrolled since 1995. St. Patrick Regional Secondary’s non-auditioned concert choir and its auditioned chamber choir repeatedly garnished gold rankings at festi-vals throughout North America, including the United States Festival of Gold concert series, to which the school received an invitation in 1999 as the first Canadian choir to partici-

4 | BCBC 2014–15 Touring Choir Handbook

pate. Journalist Rosemary Phillips described Araujo’s Spirit Alive choral concert series initiative as “compassion, caring, wisdom and passionate vision for educating young artists with hope and gratitude”.

As founder and Artistic Director of Corpus Christi Col-lege Chamber Choir, Araujo has enjoyed a long association with the Catholic Liberal Arts College and the Archdiocese of Vancouver. Araujo is invited to conduct at diocesan events, perform community concerts and participate in outreach initiatives each year. He has sat on parish and archdiocesan boards as well as non-profit outreach initiatives such as the Enspire Foundation and Kids Sing. Araujo moderates retreat programs for groups of all ages in areas of Christian disciple-ship, personal growth and in choral music education.

Araujo’s sole musical training began with organ lessons at the age of five. Araujo continues to study conducting through his association with esteemed colleagues and mentors, including Doreen Rao, Rodney Eichenberger and Weston Noble. Araujo holds undergraduate degrees in English Literature, Education and graduate studies in Pas-toral Studies and Depth Psychology. Araujo’s post-doctoral research and interest in the vocational and transferential aspects of the choral music experience applies new theories and practices of depth psychology to cultural transformation and healing. Weston Noble, conductor and Professor Emeri-tus of Luther College, describes Araujo’s teaching initiatives and vision of the choral music experience as “powerful spir-it-making that touches our souls, bridges diversity, creates community and enables personal individuation”.

Tony Araujo continues to guest conduct, lecture and teach throughout the Pacific Northwest. He has been invited as guest conductor of the American Choral Directors Asso-ciation Honor Choir and has enjoyed choral residences with festival and concert associations throughout Canada and the United States. Araujo was inducted as a lifetime Honorary

Member of the Golden Key International Honor Society by the University of British Columbia for scholastic achievement, leadership and community service.

In 2012, Araujo received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contribution to and achievements in the areas of Arts and Culture and Educa-

tion. Araujo is the recipient of the Canadian Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

Edette GagnéASSOCIATE CONDUC TOR

A charismatic and dynamic conductor, Edette Gagné has built a reputation for excellence in musical performance in her work.

Her passion for music is fueled by intense musicianship and attention to detail, and Edette’s performances reflect both careful adherence to performance practice and the high standards she sets for both herself and her ensembles.

Edette holds a Master of Music degree in conducting from the University of Calgary, Bachelor degrees in arts and education from the University of Alberta, as well as Associate Performance Diplomas in piano and voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She has studied conduct-ing with Helmut Rilling, Toshi Shimada, Paula Holcombe, Allan McMurray, Frank Klassen, Kenneth Woods, David Hoose and Christopher Zimmerman.

Her conducting experiences have now circumnavigated the globe, with shows conducted across Canada, Sydney Australia, Los Angeles and New York City. She is in great demand as a guest conductor, adjudicator, vocal coach and lyric soprano. A strong proponent of new and rarely per-formed works, Edette has conducted several world, North American and Canadian premières.

Presently, the Canadian West Coast is her home, where she is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Coast Sym-phony Orchestra, the Associate Conductor of the BCBC, and the Music Director for the North Shore Light Opera Society.

Patricia PlumleyASSOCIATE CONDUC TOR AND

ACCOMPANIST

Patricia is the Conductor of the Vancou-ver Island Choirs and our accompanist on tour. In addition to her work with the BC Boys Choir, Patricia is currently

on faculty at the School of Music at Vancouver Community College (VCC) for over 20 years. Patricia has taught class piano, piano pedagogy, keyboard literature, voice and piano lessons, chamber collaboration, vocal coaching and yoga. Outside of the Vancouver Community College, Patricia enjoys the commitment to her work with private students


of all ages in voice, piano and rudiments in both Vancouver and Nanoose Bay. Patricia conducts the Willan Community Choir in Vancouver and is the Conductor of the Vancouver Island Symphony’s Symphonic Choir and Grade 5 Honour Choir. Patricia has also combined yoga and dance with music studies in her workshop Body Awareness for Musicians that she has presented at VCC, Douglas College and Beethoven Studios in Hong Kong.

BCBC ADMINISTRATION Margot HolmesEXECUTIVE DIREC TOR

Margot Holmes has been working with the British Columbia Boys Choir for the past two decades, marking her 21st year this season. Margot works in the field of arts management and

is the owner of Caline Artists International where she has developed the careers of professional artists and works with community based non-profit arts organizations. She is also the Executive Director of the Vancouver Island Symphony in Nanaimo in addition to her work with the Boys Choir. Margot has an extensive list of artistic contacts across North America and around the globe. In 2008, Caline Artists International was awarded Agent of the Year Award from the BC Touring Council and in 2007 Margot was awarded the Centre for the Arts Nanaimo’s Arts & Culture Advocate Award. Margot stud-ied Oboe Performance and Choral Conducting at the Univer-sity of Western Ontario, London. She has a keen interest in youth and is interested in their development as performers as well as people. Margot is an experienced tour manager and has guided the choir on over 55 local and international tours. She is currently a Board Member of CAPACOA—Can-ada’s national performing arts network—and sits on the Tourism Leadership Committee, as the arts representative for the City of Nanaimo.

2. Expectation for Singers The British Columbia Boys Choir, a professional level choral ensemble with high expectations and an audition process for joining the Touring Choir, endeavours to be as inclusive as possible. We acknowledge that there are many differences between our members and do our best to accommodate this. However there is a minimum standard of behaviour we must see demonstrated to ensure the safety, security and enjoyment of the membership.

If you commit to membership in the International Touring Choir, it is expected that you will finish the

year as you have made a commitment for the complete year to the Choir and to your peers.

Each member is expected to be in ‘instructional control’ at all times; they must understand and respond appropri-ately to all instructions.

If any member has a medical diagnosis which may pres-ent choir staff, chaperones, or other members of the choir with behaviours or actions which they would not normally expect to encounter this must be identified on the member’s medical form. The parent must also engage the Executive Director in a discussion specific to their child to see if it is possible for the choir to accommodate their needs.

Members are required to adhere to the following expec-tation checklist. If a BCBC member disrupts rehearsal, he will be asked to change seats, sit out of the choir, or be dismissed from the rehearsal. If behavioral problems continue to occur, the membership of that boy will be re-assessed.

✓ Take responsibility for your own development as a musician.

✓ Every time you sing, make it a quality experience. ✓ Practice with your MP3 learning materials. ✓ Work to master basic musical skills. ✓ Come to rehearsal prepared to work, learn and enjoy music.

✓ Listen carefully as you and others sing: critical listening improves the quality of our choir.

✓ Choir is a “group” effort, and every individual counts: working together is the key.

✓ Practice concert etiquette at all times, especially during rehearsals.

✓ Make a positive contribution to your section and the choir. ✓ DO NOT TALK during rehearsal—it wastes time! ✓ Be on TIME. ✓ Above all, enjoy experiencing and creating great music!


BASIC BCBC RULES

1. Every member is equal, everyone contributes, and everyone is special.

2. Members are responsible for knowing everything that is going on: this includes rehearsal changes, what to bring, to eat, fundraising, etc. It is NOT ONLY your parent’s responsibility.

3. The BCBC Update is the LAW. If there are changes to it, you will be notified by telephone or email. The Update comes via email to each member as required.

4. If you are asked to return forms, Please DO SO — ON TIME.

5. Use of illegal drugs is not permitted by BCBC members. Use of alcohol by underage members on BCBC tours or at BCBC functions is not permitted.

6. The BCBC has a right to dismiss a member if he is not fulfilling the commitments outlined by the organization.

GUIDELINES FOR SINGERS The goal of the British Columbia Boys Choir is to give each member a solid music education that can lead to a professional music career and to develop life skills through membership in an excellent performing ensemble. Each Choir member is responsible for every aspect of his participation. This includes knowing when and where he is to be, what he needs to wear and bring, and what he is to sing. The following guidelines must be followed in order for the Choir to function professionally and safely.

ATTENDANCE AT REHEARSALS AND CONCERTS To be very clear from day one: Members are required to be at all Choir rehearsals and perfor-

mances. Each BCBC member must attend ALL rehearsals and concerts at the designated place and time as per his section. Exceptions to this rule are made for illness: members or their parents are requested to call the office by NOON on the day of rehearsal to inform us of any absences due to illness.

Generally, it is expected that a member who was able to attend school would be able to attend rehearsal on that day. Please report any other conflicts with the schedule (school or family functions) to the BCBC office, well ahead of time.

**Please do not report absences via other members: call the office before noon on the day of rehearsal.

SCHOOL & COMMUNITY CONFLICTS WITH CHOIR EVENTS Each year we ask members to take the time to look at the timetable for the year and advise their school music teachers, team coaches, and other perfor-mance-oriented instructors about the BCBC timetable for the year. This means actually giving them dates of perfor-mances and tours.

**All schedule conflicts should be communicated in writ-ing to the BCBC office by September 30.

REHEARSAL ETIQUETTE We are very fortunate to have use of the Shadbolt Centre for the Performing Arts, churches and private schools for rehearsals. Please remember that we are guests at these locations and need to behave as such. The Choir pays to use these facilities; they are not ours. Please respect the space. Also please be aware that we have to change locations for rehearsal when space is simply not available. We try to do this as little as possible.

The following rules must be observed upon entering the rehearsal locations:

• Enter the rehearsal venue via designated entrances and go directly to the rehearsal location.

• Remove hats when entering any building. • There is no swearing or bad language allowed at Boys

Choir rehearsals, concerts, tours or events. • Remove coats etc. and take your seat at least 5 minutes

prior to starting time. • All other areas except designated hallways, washrooms

and rehearsal sites are strictly out of bounds: please help us maintain our excellent relations with our hosts.

• There is NO texting OR telephone use during rehearsals and concerts.


3. MusicEach member is given a binder at the beginning of the year. Music is put into folders as required. A sharpened pencil must be in the folder at all rehearsals. Please mark any con-ductor’s suggestions or instructions in pencil in the music; however, no other notes or drawings are to be made. Members are required to bring their music to every

rehearsal and performance. If you lose your music binder, the cost to replace it is $40–$50, which represents the minimum cost of the music in each binder. Please see conductors for music.

THE BCBC RED BOOK Each member is expected to know the music that is listed in the Red Book at all times. Therefore if a member’s voice changes, he must relearn the music in the RED BOOK for his voice part. MP3s are pro-vided to the Choir members to learn this music. It is up to the member to learn this music before the first rehearsal in September each year. Why a RED BOOK? So the Choir can go out and perform at anytime a couple of songs if asked to perform at a special event.

4. Communication Communication between members, their parents and the BCBC is crucial. Our most effective tools are our website, our new BCBC APP and our BCBC UPDATE that is sent via email. Please note that the APP will have the most up to date information for the membership.

• EMAIL will be used 99% of the time to relay important information to the membership. Members need to check their email regularly. We are assuming that you are getting the email messages when we send them to you.

• TEXT You can text Margot at 250-729-5951. • APP Access to BC Boys Choir APP: password is music.

You can download the app for free from your smart-phone’s app service.

• IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEMBER TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS MISSED.


5. AdministrationTHE BCBC ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES are located in the Centre for the Arts in Nanaimo.

• Tollfree phone is 1-888-909-8282. Tollfree fax is 1-877-728-4042 and goes to Margot’s office.

• email: [email protected] www.bcboyschoir.org • Mailing Address: Box 321 Nanaimo, BC V9R 5L3. • Margot’s cell: 250-729-5951. You can call or text but

please call 1-888-909-8282 during office hours, Monday to Friday.

Areas of responsibility of each staff member are listed below. Please do not hesitate to call if you have questions,

concerns or problems.

ADMINISTRATION & PRODUCTION Questions on everything except the music should be directed to Exec-utive Director Margot Holmes. A large part of the role of Executive Director is the work outside rehearsals; therefore Margot will attend rehearsals as needed. She is in the office five days a week and accessible for conversations at any time. Please call the BCBC Office, her cell or email her. The Exec-utive Director’s area of responsibility includes overall manage-ment of the organization, planning, community development, fundraising, tours and concert production. Margot will be present at performances and on tour with the Choir.

Anntonette Keogh is our dedicated Rehearsal Assis-tant at the Shadbolt Centre for the Performing Arts in Burn-aby. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to speak with her. All paperwork can be given to Anntonette. Thank you.

MUSIC INSTRUCTION & SINGING-related questions should be directed to Tony Araujo, Artistic Director at 604-788-6208.

Please DO NOT tell Tony or Edette about timetable conflicts—they must be reported to BCBC office at

[email protected].

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE 2014–15 SEASONWEDNESDAYS and some MONDAYS: Touring Choir Sopranos & Altos at 6:30– 8:30 p.m. Tenors & Basses at 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Location Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby and Deer Lake United Church, Burnaby.

6. 2014–15 PerformancesA detailed timetable is attached in the registration package. Additional dates will be added as they are requested.

COMMUNITY CONCERTS & EVENTS It is import-ant for the British Columbia Boys Choir to perform at community functions and special events throughout the community. The Concert Season is divided into two terms and we have limited the number of Community Concerts that we do: up to 5 concerts each term for Touring Choir members. The BCBC will prepare a letter that will be given to each member concerning the reason for the member missing school.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.bcboyschoir.org

mailto:[email protected]


SCHOOL CONCERTS The Touring Choir presents Edu-cation Concerts for elementary school students each year. The Choir goes out to schools to present these concerts and performs at up to four schools each day.

SECONDARY SCHOOL CREDIT Touring Choir, Grade 10 or 11 Fine Arts Credit: Over the years, members who have been in the Touring Choir (usually for at least two years) have received the equivalent to a Grade 10 Fine Arts Credit. To apply for this credit, you must provide the BCBC office with the name and address of your school, the Principal’s name, and the number of years you have been in the Choir. The Choir then writes a letter that you will take to your school. It is at the discretion of the Principal whether the credit is awarded. Suggested timeframe: by January 30 each year.

ON CONCERT DAYS Please note that members are to consume NO JUNK food on a performance day. This includes pop, chips, candy, etc. Only good healthy food should be consumed. In addition, no milk products are allowed on a performance day because they coat the throat, which is bad for singing. Members DO need to EAT before every performance or else they will not make it through the show.

***Electronic Devices on CONCERT DAYS: NO elec-tronic games or devices are allowed 60 minutes prior to a concert and during a performance. Electronic books are acceptable. Members are required to focus on the perfor-mance and spend some quiet time doing an activity like reading or drawing. Members are allowed to use electronic devices at other times while with the Choir.

7. General Info on TouringThe Choir receives invitations to tour internationally as well as in Canada. Members are accepted into the International Touring Choir based on their talent and musical abilities. The Choir cannot tour with only half its membership—this leads to a substandard artistic product, and not what the concert presenter expects to hear, based on the Choir’s reputation. In addition, missing members create a great deal of stress for the artistic team and other choir members.

Therefore it is expected that if a boy has joined the International Touring Choir, he wants to tour and is able to leave home without his parents. All boys are required to tour.

2014–15 SEASON TOUR The Choir will tour in British Columbia this season. There is no additonal cost to the membership for this tour.

QUESTIONS? Please do not hesitate to ask ques-tions about touring. We know that we are asking you to trust the Choir with your son so it is important that you feel comfortable. Please speak with Margot at any time.

CHAPERONES are chosen based on their desire to tour and on their experience working with youth. The BCBC always tries to have both more and less experienced chaper-ones on each tour. There is no set number of chaperones for each year—we decide how many will be needed based on time away and activities planned. For example, an overnight tour where members are billeted in homes would require fewer chaperones than if members were staying in hotels. For a weeklong tour, we would take more chaperones than


an overnight concert. On longer tours, we have someone with First Aid training with us. ***Please note that the Choir has a policy that parents cannot chaperone if it is their sons’ first tour. We need to be able to see that he can function without his parents. Chaperones are working and therefore pay only for their incidental meals while on tour.

PASSPORTS & VISAS All Touring Choir members must have a current passport. This is required for engage-ments where the Choir travels to the United States as well as abroad. If a member is not travelling on a Canadian passport and a travel visa is required, it is the member’s responsibility to obtain the travel visa. The BCBC Administration Team will assist the member with this.

MEDICAL INSURANCE All members are to provide the Choir with their Extended Medical Insurance coverage policy number for travel into the United States. Please note that we do not want to carry the complete policy, only the policy number and the emergency contact number for the company.

Special Note: In 2014-15 we are not planning on touring outside Canada so passports and Extended Medical Insurance are not required.

If a member is going to get sick, chances are greater away from home than at home. There is a lot of excitement, different food, the bed is strange and we are travelling long distances on some days. This is stressful for some, and affects others not at all. We never know until we are on tour. We ask you to be prepared by completing the following:

• Medical Forms: please complete your son’s medical form. It is his medical history in an emergency. Make sure we have all the information required in order to assist your son in an emergency. You do not need to complete a new Medical Form if anything has changed with your medical history; you only need to update it. ***Please make sure that the contact num-bers you list on your Medical Form are CURRENT. Will your secondary contacts be home?

• If your son has a recurring ailment make sure he has his medication with him.

• If your son has allergies, send the medication. Please make sure that ALL ALLERGIES are listed on the Medical Form.

• Vitamin Note: all members will be given a Vitamin C and a multi-vitamin each day while on tour. Our preference is that they take the vitamins we hand out at lunch as

opposed to their own, so that we know that they are being taken. This applies to longer trips only.

• We carry a medical bag with us on tour.

ACTIVITIES ON THE BUS Homework is a required activity on school days while we are on tour (December 2014). Members MUST bring things to do on the bus… a BOOK is required, and MP3 players, games etc. are welcome, but make sure every item is labeled with the member’s name. We also watch a variety of movies on the bus. Because of the age range of members, all movies shown must be appropri-ate to all ages. Members are asked to bring a movie that they would like to see, if they have one!

ACCOMMODATION ON TOUR The Choir has two types of accommodation while on tour: homestays/billets where boys stay in people’s homes, and hotels/conference centres. On longer tours, we mix these two types of accom-modation.

• Billets: younger or less experienced touring members are billeted with an older or more experienced member. Margot does this matching at the beginning of the year for smaller tours. For longer tours, members can decide


with whom they would like to share a room. Pairs are not announced until we are at the concert location. Mem-bers are always in groups of two or more. A member under the age of 18 will never go to a home alone. The families where members stay are associated with the organization that is presenting the concert. Members are given contact information for staff and chaperones so that they can reach us at anytime during the night. Staff always stay in hotels or at a B&B so that they can be easily reached, and the bus driver is avail-able to go if there is a problem. Members 18 years of age or older are billeted together.

• Hotels: Members decide whom they would like to room with when we stay in hotels. There are four boys to a room.

Parents are asked to make sure that they have spoken to their sons about what is appropriate behaviour on their son’s part and on the part of other Choir members, as well as anyone their son may come in contact with while on tour. If at anytime a member is not comfortable with someone else’s behaviour, he should speak with an adult (Choir staff or Chaperone).

CONTACT WITH HOME The Choir has a rule that has worked extremely well over the last 19 years: members do not call home for a week when we leave on tour. If the tour is less than a week, they do not call home. This rule has been enacted to allow members to adjust to the tour and life away from home. Members may send emails. This also allows staff to see how a member does when they are away from home and if they are ready for a longer tour. The Choir also under-stands that with today’s technology, contact by text, cell and email is an everyday activity.

HEALTHY FOOD & REST On all tours, members are required to eat “green healthy food” and a balanced diet. In addition, the Choir will continue to take naps before con-certs, which makes a huge difference in their performance.

***All members are required to participate in naptime. This happens on the bus.

• Food on tour: when we ask for a snack and a lunch, please provide these items. These are very important when we have been on the road and there is nowhere to stop for food and members have to go directly from the bus to a performance… the snacks and lunch save the day. The Choir also has snacks available for longer trips. Meals are covered on tours unless we advise

differently. • Water Bottles are required and they MUST BE FILLED

at all times by the member. In the last six years, we have had much less sickness (sore throats and colds) on tour and we believe this is in part due to proper hydration.

HOSTING OTHER CHOIRS The British Columbia Boys Choir has been hosted many times while on tour and this saves the BCBC money and allows the members to stay and socialize with a family from a different province or country. If a Choir asks us to host them and we know that we are touring in their area, we say yes! We get many, many requests that we decline because we know how much work is involved for you, the member families.

When the BCBC travels between Nanaimo and Greater Vancouver with the BCBC Choirs, we will ask members on both sides of the water to host other BCBC members.

8. Uniforms – new this year! If you have questions related to uniforms, please speak to Anntonette Keogh. Please note that all returning mem-bers are required to return uniforms that no longer fit, on Wednesday, September 24—THESE MUST BE DRY-CLEANED. Thank you. Uniform fittings will take place on October 1. It is the responsibility of the member to use a pro-fessional seamstress or tailor if alterations are needed for their


uniform to fit properly. It is critical for the entire membership to look great for each performance. If you were in the Choir last year and need a new uniform, a reminder that you are required to dry-clean the uniform and bring it back at the first rehearsal.

Please note that if a member’s uniform has not been properly altered (arms, legs, waist etc.), they will NOT be able to perform with the BCBC. It is the family’s respon-sibility to have the adjustments made for their son. The audience sees every detail of the Choir while on stage so all members need to make sure their uniform has been adjusted. Because the members keep growing, uniforms should be checked before each performance.

Thank you for looking your best when you are repre-senting the British Columbia Boys Choir.

TOURING CHOIR UNIFORM ITEMS PROVIDED BY CHOIR Choir Item On Loan Replacement ValueBlue Jacket $200 Must be dry-cleaned onlyBlack Jacket $200 Must be dry-cleaned onlyRed Tie $25 Must be dry-cleaned onlyBlack Bow Tie $25Green Bow Tie $25

Parents agree to pay the cost as listed above if a member loses or damages the BCBC Uniform on loan

to him. ITEMS PURCHASED BY TOURING CHOIR MEMBERS

• Short-sleeved white dress shirt (NO button-down col-lars). Please note that this shirt MUST BE PLAIN with no design.

• White long sleeved (wing tip) tuxedo shirts that look like all other member’s shirts, purchased at Black & Lee. Each member should purchase their own shirt. Black dress pants as specified by the Choir. All black fabric is not the same under stage lights so please buy the pants specified. ***The bottom of the pants should

just sit on top of shoes. ***Please make sure the member has belt on waist (not hips) and is wearing shoes when taking measurements. The Choir is currently waiting for the pant numbers from Sears and The Bay.

• Black dress shoes (make sure they are comfortable and shined for each concert).

• Black dress socks. • Black Stormtech BCBC jacket to be worn for outdoor

shows and to performances. The Choir stocks these jackets and they cost $67.

• All jacket alterations are the responsibility of the member.

LOSS OF UNIFORM If a member loses any item of the uniform, he will be required to pay for its replacement as per the cost listed above.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR UNIFORMS Blue Jackets & Tux Jackets: Members are responsible for getting their own alterations done. HOWEVER, under NO circum-stances are the jackets to be cut. They are to be hemmed with large hems and never cut. Thank you.

APPEARANCE It is important that all members look their best for all concerts.

• All hair must be off your face, above your eyebrows, and off your collar.

• No extreme hair creations (colour, style, cut) will be accepted during performances or at Boys Choir activities. We wear uniforms so that we blend together as a group, allowing the audience to enjoy the music without being distracted by individual members.

• No jewellery on stage: necklaces, bracelets, earrings etc. • No visible tattoos.

9. Photographic Permission FormIn your Registration Package, BCBC parents are asked to sign a Photographic Permission Form. This allows the Choir to use photos and video for publicity and marketing purposes, and allows your son to be photographed or filmed by news media during the year. These photos and videos will be used for promotion beyond the current year.


10. Spread the News! One of the biggest challenges our organization faces is let-ting Lower Mainland residents know that the British Colum-bia Boys Choir Music Education Program is available to serve their sons. One of the most effective ways this can be done is through our own members. If you know of any families who might be interested in our program, please call them on our behalf, or pass on their names and phone numbers to our

staff. Continued strong membership guarantees a quality experience for all our members.

• Town Choir is open to boys ages 7–12 with unchanged voices who love to sing. This program runs September 20134–May 2015 in Burnaby, Vancouver and Nanaimo.

• Choir in Nanaimo If you have friends or family inter-ested in Choir in Nanaimo region. Open to ages 7+.

• The BCBC will run three SongWave Programs for six weeks in Vancouver, Burnaby and Nanaimo.

• Music Teachers are our best resource Please make sure that the Music Teacher at your son’s school knows about the Boys Choir. Educator Packages available. Thanks for your help!

CD RECORDINGS are available for purchase at $15 of HOME and SPIRIT. Our newest CD, If My Voice Had Wings, was released December 2012 and is available for $20. These make great gifts.

PRICELESS MEMORIES Also available: A Song to Remember: 45th Anniversary Memoirs. $32 per copy, avail-able online at www.bcboyschoir.org or by calling the BCBC office 1-888-909-8282.


11. Money mattersBCBC FINANCIAL POLICIES The BCBC is a non-profit arts organization whose activities are covered through membership tuition, concert revenues, tax-deductible dona-tions from individuals, corporations and private foundations and fundraising activities. The BCBC also receives BC Gaming Funds and a grant from the City of Nanaimo each year.

The BCBC Board of Directors asks the BCBC membership for feedback every few years that relates to the value of the Choir programs based on cost. Feedback from the member-ship has been that they receive great value for the cost of the Choir programs. Compared to a high-level sports team, the Choir is a bargain during non-touring years and compa-rable in fees during a larger touring year. Members receive valuable lessons and musical skills that can be compared to other music lessons. Weekly music lessons throughout the academic year would cost more than the tuition that BCBC members pay per year.

• If singing and travelling is the activity that your son LOVES – it is excellent value for the cost.

BCBC FUNDRAISING POLICY The BCBC Board of Directors developed a Fundraising Policy in 1995, to create

“an equal share of work for reward”. Please note that the Choir needs to raise additional

funds to operate and offer our high quality music education programs.

FINANCIAL COMMITMENT FOR 2014–15 NEW: Fees and financial commitment have not increased for the coming year, however we have gone to a monthly payment system where tuition, fundraising (Walk-A-Song, Raffle etc) are all included together. We have observed over the last two years that the majority of families just pay for everything —they DO NOT ask others for funds (fundraising) and so it is easier if we just list financial commitment and it is divided monthly.

The other new system is that we ask that you pay this through www.chimp.net. By doing this you can set up a full payment or a monthly payment that will come to the BC Boys Choir. Chimp also sends you a tax receipt and this saves time and money for the Choir by eliminating the need for staff to take on this very time consuming task. We started to use Chimp for our Walk-A-Song event last May and it went very well. Each family will need to set up an account on www.chimp.net.

FINANCIAL COMMITMENT for 12 months for the International Touring Choir is $140 a month.

This year this also includes the December 2014 Tour with Tenor Ken Lavigne.

The only additional expense to families is for tickets to the performances in which your son performs, and uniform expense.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES The British Columbia Boys Choir has sponsorship opportunities for businesses in the community to partner with the Choir. To receive a package, please contact Margot.

SERVICE CLUBS If you or a family member or a good friend belongs to a service club, we hope that you will con-sider putting the British Columbia Boys Choir’s name forward for funding. A package is available to take to your Club. Please speak to Margot.

BCBC BURSARY FUND The Choir offers a limited number of partial bursaries based on financial need. These are made possible through donations from service clubs and individuals. An application is available by contact-ing the office and must be returned by September 30 each year. Please send confidential application to Margot Holmes.

12. Volunteer Responsibility Each family will be asked to assist the Choir throughout the year at concerts and with various activities. The more you assist us, the more we grow as an organization.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Touring Choir Handbook 2014-2015

Documents

Transcript of Touring Choir Handbook 2014-2015