Member Information Fall 24

Welcome to new members and to all returning members. 

The biggest new thing this year is the new Choir management software "ChoirGenius". All communication will be through that software. When you log on you can put in as much or as little information about yourself as you like , you can post events yourself you think others will be interested in, and have links to rehearsal music and recordings and more. if you have not yet been onto the site , please let me know right away. You should have received an email inviting you to log on and set your own password. New folks wishing to join should click here and fill out a pre-registration form so we can have music ready for you when you get to rehearsal. When you click the link above , put in your email address and click forgot passord or just click the link i sent in July inviting you to log on.

Here is a video you can watch to help you.

This is going to be a great semester.  For anyone just joining us, our music director is Kris Johnson,  Director of Choirs at Phillips Exeter Academy.  The purpose of the Rockingham Choral Society is to foster the performance and appreciation of choral music in the Seacoast Region of the State of New Hampshire. In keeping with this purpose, the Society annually presents concerts of choral works from all musical periods for the education and enjoyment of its members and its supporters in the communities of the Region.

For its members, the Society provides a unique opportunity to participate in an educational, cultural and social experience based on their shared love of music. Benefits of the experience include: study and performance of music of a wide variety of periods and styles; the improvement of the individual’s singing technique and the opportunity to perform as a soloist; and the fellowship that comes from creating music with others. Kris’s focus is on choral technique development which fosters growth both as a group and individually.  

Concert dates and locations;

December 7th and 8th both at 3PM and both at Christ Church. Tickets will go on sale 30 days prior and may or may not be available at the door.  Physical tickets may be available for purchase by you at rehearsals. Due to capacity considerations they will not be handed out for general distribution.

Artistic Staff

Kristofer T. Johnson - Music Director / Conductor

Jeannie Goodwin—Collaborative Artist/ Accompanist

Board of Directors 24-26;

Executive Board

Charlie Smith-President ~ Jack Maul - Vice President  

Treasurer - Liz Smardz ~ Secretary– Pam Schwotzer

Music Director Kris Johnson
Section Leaders
Soprano—Stephanie Cosgrove ~ Alto-Lynn Rockwell
Tenor– Clark Bourne ~ Bass-Jim Scamman
Member at large ~Claudia McQueen

Rehearsals 

~Exeter High School from 7-9PM Tuesday evenings with an occasional optional sectional rehearsal as/if needed and a dress rehearsal (s) usually the week before our concerts on Friday. During the course of the semester we will make every attempt to have a few social times at the end of rehearsal. 

Attendance~ it is expected that you will attend all rehearsals but if you need to miss one please let your section leader know the date (s) you will be absent. If you miss an excessive number (3) rehearsals your participation in the concert is at the discretion of the Music director. Attendance is kept by the section leaders.

Dues and Music Fees~ Dues for RCS are currently $50.00 per semester per person due by the third rehearsal for returning members and by the 4th rehearsal for new members. They can be paid online or by check given to the treasurer at rehearsal. 

 If this proves to be a hardship, please feel free to speak to your section leader who can make arrangements to reduce or waive the dues. Dues are  waived for high school and full time college students, music is not.
Music fees for this semester will be announced at the first few rehearsals but usually are about 25-30.00. You own your own music. You may only copy music you own a purchased version of.

General member expectations

Musicianship– Anyone over 16 is free to join and only needs to demonstrate basic musical ability to the director by matching pitches, having the ability to blend well, and sing scales to determine vocal placement. Previous choral experience and the ability to read music is helpful but NOT required. 

We are fortunate to have many different levels of ability in RCS which allows us to choose soloists from the group. We will provide links and recordings when possible to help you learn your music and will let you know each week what to practice for the next rehearsal and review the various choral techniques learned. Always bring a pencil to rehearsals!
The type of programs we can perform and the continued success of RCS depend on everyone’s participation in ticket sales and various fund raising programs and committees throughout the season with the exception of students, who are not required to participate in committee's or fund raising. 

Like us on Facebook! / Our website WWW.rockinghamchoral.org 

The first 2 rehearsals will be open rehearsals to welcome new and returning members. Auditions will be prior to and following the second rehearsal. The first rehearsal for the fall semester is the first Tuesday after labor day from 7 to 9PM.  The first rehearsal for the spring semester is the first Tuesday after new years day . Both may be changed by the board with notification to all members via email, Facebook and our website. Please be seated and ready to sing at 7

All subsequent rehearsals will be at 7 p.m. at Exeter High School unless otherwise notified.
In the event of inclement weather that will/may necessitate cancelation, please check the Facebook page and your email the afternoon of a rehearsal day. If school (Exeter high) has been cancelled due to the weather, rehearsal is automatically cancelled. However, we may cancel a rehearsal even if the school was open during the day.

If you are feeling ill in anyway, we ask that you let your section leader know you and do not attend rehearsal.

The tentative concert dates for this spring are December 7th and 8th  at 3PM (official times will be announced later)

Concert Dress code
(unless changed slightly based on the Concert requirements as decided by the Board)

Option 1

-Long (floor length) black dress with long sleeves or long skirt or long flowing pants with a long sleeved black blouse, black stockings, dark (black preferred) Black shoes. Inconspicuous jewelry. No short dresses or skirts or sleeveless tops.  Should this pose a hardship, please speak with your section leader as soon as possible to make arrangements.
Option 2-

Black suit coat or blazer, Black pants, white shirt, red issued tie for the winter concert, blue issued tie in the spring, Black socks, black shoes

Also, In consideration of other singers (some with allergies) and since we will all be in close proximity, please do not use perfume, hairspray or after shave at rehearsals or concerts.

FREE, web-based resources-most are free, some are not. most you have to search for the music yourself. On the official RCS Choir genius, we have pre-selected the versions of music that are closest to the ones we are actually performing to help you learn and get familiar with the pieces. That should be you first stop, go to the MUSIC LINK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE APPLICATION ONCE LOGGED IN.

RCS Choir Genius , on the Music page

Youtube

CHORALIA

CYBERBASS

JOHN FLETCHER MUSIC (paid site, not free)

Listen, or download files.

LEARN CHORAL MUSIC

Don't forget to check and share our Facebook and Instagram posts. Also , if you see a story in a paper , bring it to rehearsal!