Colla Voce "follow the voice"

MISSION STATEMENT
The Colla Voce Girl's Choir works with choir members, parents and professionals to develop musical and leadership skills in girls; and to provide educational and performance opportunities for young girls in the Staples Motley community.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors plan and implement the work of Colla Voce. The board will be made up of community members, health care professionals, music professionals, and parents of the choir members. The conductor and accompanist shall be ex-officio members of the Board of Directors (voice but no vote).

REHEARSALS
Rehearsals will be held on Mondays during the school year from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Staples Motley High School Choir Room in Staples, MN. A complete schedule will be given to choir members as soon as it is available. The schedule will be posted on the website.

In case of bad weather or school is closed early, rehearsals may be canceled. This decision will be made by 4:30 p.m. on the day of the rehearsal. Check your e-mail, listen to the radio and check the website! We will always send an e-mail if we have to cancel a rehearsal! Those without email addresses will be contacted by phone. If school is canceled, there will be no rehearsal.

Students are expected to be on time for rehearsal, and should be in their seats, ready to sing, when the rehearsal starts at 6:30 p.m. Attendance will be taken immediately at the beginning of the rehearsals. Please use the restroom before the rehearsal! Unless there is an emergency situation, no bathroom breaks will be granted during rehearsal times. Girls should always have a filled water bottle and always bring their music folder (provided) with a sharpened pencil to every rehearsal. Should tardiness or absenteeism become an issue, the director will meet with Colla Voce leadership to discuss the situation and decide a course of action. Excessive absences and tardiness may result in dismissal from the group.

Rehearsals will include physical and vocal warm-ups, vocal development, instruction time in music theory and solfege, and preparation of concert music. Considerable time over the year will also be spent on the body/mind/spirit curriculum. Choir members should watch the conductor at all times; actively participate; use good singing posture whether sitting or standing; breathe fully, using breathing techniques taught by directors; and pay attention to the directions at all times.

If you are not a member of the chorus and would like to attend a rehearsal, please contact the director in advance.

MUSIC
Selection of music is the responsibility of the Music Director. The music is selected for its quality, regardless of religious or ethnic considerations. Music ranges from classic to contemporary. Music will be provided to students, but will need to be returned at the end of the season. If choir members lose their folder and/or music, they will be responsible for the cost of the materials.

CONCERTS
Concerts are currently being planned for the first season of Colla Voce. A tentative schedule will be given out at the first rehearsal. This schedule is subject to change. When this happens, a new schedule will be posted on the website.

Participation at concerts and other performances is mandatory. Choir members may be asked to be at concerts 60-90 minutes before the performance time. This is necessary in order for the girls to rehearse and to become familiar with the acoustics and arrangement of the performance area.

When robes are available, under the robe, girls should wear a dress code appropriate t-shirt and shorts.

In the beginning, robes will not be available. Girls must wear: black ballet slippers, black skirts lower than the knees or black pants, black nylons, tights or socks. T-shirts will be provided for the girls to wear.

Students are strongly encouraged to be extremely conservative with hairstyles, hair coloring, nail polish, makeup and jewelry. Due to allergies, no perfume. Please remember, our performances are about the music we make, not our individual styles.

VOCAL HEALTH
The basic singing process requires good posture, efficient breathing and overall good physical health. Singers should not drink caffeinated beverages. Students should only drink water during rehearsals and prior to concerts. Caffeine, medications, dry conditions, fatigue and vocal abuse (screaming, whispering) are very taxing on the voice. The trials and tribulations of adolescence also affect the characteristics of the voice.

PRACTICING AT HOME
Choir members may be asked periodically to do homework. Homework assignments may include general music preparation, music theory practice, body/mind/voice lessons, etc. Students who wish to take music home for additional practice should check with the director. Students are expected to make the most out of their time in rehearsal.

COMMUNICATION
Communication is an important component of a successful organization. We will use the website and email as major modes of communication. We are going Colla Voce green (paperless when possible - PWP).

PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Parent participation will be expected at various times throughout the year. Parents may be asked to serve in the following ways: fundraising, chaperoning, driving, ushering, organizing, providing snacks, and any other events deemed necessary by the board. We ask that parents be on time to pick up their child because the Choir Director has another rehearsal immediately after this one. There will be no one to stay with your child after rehearsal.

CONCLUSION
This handbook is a tool to help with the success of Colla Voce. When read and understood, this handbook will help with communication and minimize conflicts. The choir depends on the enthusiastic and committed support of all of its members to make possible its many accomplishments. The choir is a community of singers, parents, and professionals who work together for a common purpose. There must always be a clear understanding that participation in the choir is a group activity. No one works alone. The development of a strong community of workers can accomplish great things - this is an important skill that is and can be fulfilled through the Colla Voce experience.

"If we are to raise kids who can think and act ethically,
we don't begin with the thinking or the acting.
We begin with caring."
Barbara Coloroso

Colla Voce
c/o Kevin Nelson
P.O. Box 294
Staples, MN 56479

Questions? Please contact:
Steve Hoemberg, artistic director
218 894-5411 school
e-mail shoemberg@isd2170.k12.mn.us