Stanford Symphonic Chorus - Member Information

This page is for current and future members of the Stanford Symphonic Chorus and Stanford Summer Chorus. The Stanford Symphonic Chorus is led by music director Stephen Sano.
Joining the Chorus Obtaining Music Rehearsal/Performance Schedule Fall '09 This Quarter's Program (Fall '09) 09/10 Season Registration Form - pdf (Fall '09) Registration Form - Word (Fall '09) Auditions (new members only) Rehearsals Concert Dress Concert aromas (short), (extensive) Covering Your Music Performances Expectations Tickets Summer Chorus

Last modified: Saturday, 19-Sep-2009 00:55:14 PDT

Joining the Chorus

The Stanford Symphonic Chorus is open to all students, faculty, staff and any other residents of the community interested in singing wonderful music, just like these folks.

Members who are not students or faculty pay a modest (currently $30) participation fee. This money helps to offset expenses, the largest of which is hiring orchestras.

Auditions

New members are accepted by audition at the beginning of each academic quarter. Auditions take place in Braun Music Center, room 120. Please contact the director, Steve Sano (650-723-1570, sano@stanford.edu), to schedule a specific audition time.

Auditions take about ten minutes, are very "user-friendly," and consist of:

Vocalizing (singing scale passages, or similar) with piano support to determine range.
Pitch memory exercises (we'll play three or four notes in sequence on the piano, and you sing them back).
Picking pitches out of a chord texture (we play three pitches simultaneously on the piano, and ask you to sing the top, middle, or bottom).
Simple sight singing
30 seconds to a minute of a prepared song. This can be anything that you enjoy singing: art song, aria, musical theatre number, jazz tune, hymn tune, children's song, or the ever popular choices of: first verse of "My country 'tis of thee", Amazing Grace, Edelweiss, etc.

Music

Obtaining Music

The music to be performed is always available at the first couple rehearsals. Often it can be purchased at the Stanford Bookstore on the Stanford Campus.

Current Progam

This quarter (Fall '09) we'll be doing Missa pro defunctis by Anton Reicha and selected choruses from Die heilige Weynacht BWV 248 (Weihnachts-Oratorium or Christmas Oratorio).

You may purchase the music at the first rehearsal.

09/10 Season

Fall '09

First rehearsal: Monday, Sept. 21
Repertoire: Reicha Missa pro defunctis and JS Bach, selected choruses from Die heilige Weynacht
Dress rehearsals: Tuesday, Nov. 17, and Thursday, Nov. 19
Concerts: 8 PM Friday, Nov. 20, and 1:30 Sunday, Nov. 22

Winter '10

First rehearsal: Monday, Jan. 4
Repertoire: Beethoven, Mass in C (also Beethoven Prometheus Overture, & Mozart, Violin Concerto No. 3)
Dress rehearsals: Tuesday, Feb. 23, and Thursday, Feb. 25
Concerts: 8 PM Friday, Feb. 26, and 8 PM Saturday, Feb. 27

Spring '10

First rehearsal: Monday
Repertoire: Berlioz, Grande Messe des morts (Requiem)
Dress rehearsals: Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 20
Concerts: 8 PM Friday, May 21, and 8 PM Saturday, May 22

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are held Monday evenings from 7:15 to 9:45 in Campbell Recital Hall in the Braun Music Building, but please be early for the first one, since it will take extra time to get everyone signed up and to distribute the music, which will be available at the rehearsal. Sign ups start at 6:30 PM.

In addition there are usually some optional sectional rehearsals on Wednesday afternoons. Just before the performance we typically have two "dress rehearsals", also mandatory, when we rehearse with the orchestra, usually in the hall in which we will be performing. Concert dress is not required or even recommended at these rehearsals. Other rehearsals are typically accompanied by piano only.

Members may miss up to two mandatory rehearsals during the quarter. Members who miss more than two mandatory rehearsals without prior arrangement with the director will not be allowed to participate in the performance. You must notify the director in advance if for any reason you must miss all or part of a rehearsal. For those participating for graded credit, every two unexcused absences may result in the lowering of the final grade by one letter.

Rehearsal/Performance Schedule

Day	Date	Location	Time	Description
Monday	09/21/09	CRH	Sign up 6:30-7:10 PM; rehearse 7:15 PM	Tutti
Monday	09/28/09	CRH	7:15 PM	Tutti
Wednesday	09/30/09	CRH	5:30 PM	Women's sectional
Monday	10/05/09	CRH	7:15 PM	Tutti
Wednesday	10/07/09	CRH	5:30 PM	Men's sectional (optional)
Monday	10/12/09	CRH	7:15 PM	Tutti
Wednesday	10/14/09	CRH	5:30 PM	Women's sectional (optional)
Monday	10/19//09	CRH	7:15 PM	Tutti
Wednesday	10/21/09	No sectional (Steve out of town)
Monday	10/26//09	No tutti rehearsal (Steve out of town)
Wednesday	10/28/09	CRH	5:30 PM	Men's sectional (optional)
Monday	11/02/09	CRH	7:15 PM	Tutti (Maestro Klein conduction Bach)
Monday	11/09/09	CRH	7:15 PM	Tutti
Monday	11/16/09	CRH	7:15 PM	Tutti
Tuesday	11/17/09	Mem Chu	7-10 PM	Dress Rehearsal
Thursday	11/19/09	Mem Chu	7-10 PM	Dress Rehearsal
Friday	11/20/09	Mem Chu	7 PM	Concert Call
Sunday	11/22/09	Mem Chu	12:30 PM	Concert Call
Friday	12/11/09	Mem Chu	7:30 PM	Messiah Sing (optional, and a whole lot of fun!)

Parking

Parking for rehearsals can usually be found in the large lot closest to Braun (and Tresidder). There is no parking enforcement after 4 p.m. on weekdays. You may park for free in any pay or permit slot (except for disabled slots) for rehearsal.

Performances

Friday, November 20th, at 8 PM
Sunday, November 22th, at 1:30 PM

Concert Dress

Men wear tuxedos or a tuxedo-like suits (i.e., black; not grey, brown or blue), black shoes and socks. Women are all in black: long dress, or long black skirt or slacks with long-sleeved (preferably) or short-sleeved black blouse, and black shoes. Please no sleeveless tops and no flashy jewelry.

Concert Aromas

Several people in the chorus are particularly sensitive to scented products such as perfume and hair spray; all of us have to sing in close quarters and benefit by having air to breathe which is as pure as possible. On all rehearsal days, and especially on dress rehearsal and performance days, we request you do not use any such products. For further information, including information on obtaining scent-free alternatives, see the extensive guidelines.

Covering Your Music

For performances music must be put in a black folder or notebook, or bound with a black cover. Don't wait until the last minute to find a cover which will be practical in performance!

Expectations

Each singer is expected to learn the music assigned for each rehearsal on his or her own. Beyond the first reading of a work, rehearsal time will be devoted to the development of ensemble sound, interpretation, and other musical matters. It is further expected that each singer will make a reasonable effort to develop his or her own vocal skills, and will make every effort to contribute in a positive manner to the work of the group.

Tickets

Tickets are usually offered for sale at rehearsals starting roughly a couple weeks before performancse. They are also available at the Stanford Ticket Office (650-725-2787), or at the door.

Return to Stanford Symphonic Chorus home page
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Last modified: Saturday, 19-Sep-2009 00:55:14 PDT
J. Bogart