Member Information Spring 2023

Welcome to new members and to all returning members. 

This is going to be a great spring.  For anyone just joining us, our music director is Kris Johnson, Chair of the Department of Music and 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

April 29th Sanborn Regional High School and April 30th Christ church in Exeter

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.

In this document, you will find some of the more frequently asked questions, guidelines and policies of the society. If you have any questions, please ask. 

Charlie Smith, President, Rockingham Choral Society

Artistic Staff

Kristofer T. Johnson - Music Director / Conductor

Jeannie Goodwin—Collaborative Artist/ Accompanist

Board of Directors;

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-Joe Stieglitz
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 $50.00 per semester per person due by the third rehearsal for returning members and by the 4th rehearsal for new members. They should be given to the section leader. 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 college students, music is not.
Music fees for this semester is 26.15. 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 committeesthroughout the season with the exception of students, who are not required to participate in 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. First rehearsal Tuesday January 3rd at the Exeter High School from 7 to 9PM. 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 cancelled. However, we may cancel a rehearsal even if the school was open during the day.

The tentative concert dates for this spring are April 29thand 30th with a dress rehearsal on April 28th (times will be announced later)

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

Women-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). Inconspicuous jewelry. No short dresses or skirts or sleeveless tops. You may be asked to return home and change or not be allowed to sing in the concert if the above dress requirements are not met. Should this pose a hardship, please speak with your section leader as soon as possible to make arrangements.
Men-Dark suit coat or blazer, Dark pants, white shirt, red issued tie for the winter concert, blue issued tie in the spring

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

Welcome to all new members. at the bottom of this page you will find a link to download and list the new member information book that you will find helpfull.

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! 

Let's share some singing tips and tricks or links to good articles on anything Choral related.

here's one on Tips for singing in a choral group;

 http://nmchoir.weebly.com/survival-tips-for-choral-singers.html 

Here is the link to the materials from Derek Meler's talk on SOVT

Here's what Alex was talking about using a straw to improve your breath for singing. link from ChoralNet

https://choralnet.org/2019/01/essential-breathing-exercises-for-your-choir/