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Foundation
The Fleischmann Choir was founded by its current conductor,
Dr Geoffrey Spratt (Director of the CIT Cork School of Music)
in November 1992.Rehearsals
The
Fleischmann Choir rehearses on Monday nights (7.45–10.15
p.m.) from September to May. The rehearsals are organised
into self-contained “blocks” – each block
containing and/or culminating in (a) public performance(s)
– usually three per year – with the final one
being relatively short and voluntary.Performances
The
Fleischmann Choir normally gives two major sets of performances
each season and regularly undertakes special projects (recordings,
tours, etc.).
Although the Fleischmann Choir exists to perform the large-scale
repertory for mixed-voice choir with accompaniment, this
does not mean that it never performs unaccompanied pieces
or small-scale works. Nevertheless, any singer whose primary
interest is in learning and performing unaccompanied repertory
and/or taking part in competitions is respectfully advised
that a significant number of choirs exist in and around
Cork whose aims and objectives serve these purposes.Educational
remit & constitution
The
Fleischmann Choir is a class of the CIT Cork School of Music
[CSM]. Each registered member of the Fleischmann Choir is,
ipso facto, a registered part-time student of CIT.
Because
the Fleischmann Choir is a class of the CSM, every member
who is not simultaneously a full-time BMus Degree student
of the CSM is required to pay a fee for each of the two
academic terms (September-January & February to June).
In
return for these fees, the costs of a venue for the weekly
rehearsals, a piano accompanist for the weekly rehearsals,
and the cost of all music copies and ancillary materials
are met by the CSM.
The fees are determined by the Department of Education &
Science, and the invoices are issued by the CSM. For the
2008-2009 academic year, the fee is €55 per term (2).
If any (potential) member cannot afford this fee, all that
is necessary is for the person to apply for it to be waived
by writing, in confidence, to The Director, CIT Cork School
of Music.
Performance and social activity costs
The
Fleischmann Choir is responsible for the financing of its
performances and other activities (e.g. its social programme)
– these are not underwritten by the CSM CIT. The choir’s
committee tries to make every performance self-financing,
and to this end every member is expected to do all they
can to sell tickets. The costs associated with certain performances
can sometimes be offset – at least in part –
against a third-party, and the profit on some performances
can subsidize losses on others. Nevertheless, the choir
cannot end up in debt, and it is a tribute to all concerned
that it never has. To underpin the cost of its performance
and social activities, each member of the Fleischmann Choir
contributes to the “Fleischmann Choir Fund”;
the contribution currently equates to €2 per rehearsal
(i.e. €25 for the period September-December 2008 and
€20 for the period January to March 2009). This fund
is the sole property of the members of the Fleischmann Choir;
none of it goes to CSM and/or CIT, and the choir’s
Treasurers account to the members of the choir for the Fleischmann
Choir Fund.
Responsibilities
Each
chorister’s responsibilities are, inter alia:
* to respect and uphold the aims and objectives of the choir
as set out in the Mission Statement
* to attend rehearsals regularly – and specifically
to inform their Line Leader/Assistant Line Leader, in advance,
of unavoidable absence
* to learn their individual line as quickly and effectively
as possible to facilitate efficient rehearsals – making
use of the line and/or performance CDs/cassette tapes supplied
as appropriate
* to attend all Dress Rehearsals and Performances
* to inform the conductor in advance of their intention
to opt out of a “block” and/or to leave the
choir
Attendance
policies
(i)
The aspiration is that no chorister will miss a rehearsal
unless exceptional circumstances prevail – but it
is both acknowledged and accepted that exceptional circumstances
do prevail from time to time for everybody.
(ii) If a chorister misses two consecutive rehearsals without
having notified their Line Leader/Assistant Line Leader,
a written request for an explanation will be issued.
(iii) Any chorister missing more than two rehearsals in
a “block” may be asked by the conductor to stand
down for the remainder of the “block” –
including any performance(s). It is the conductor’s
sole right to request a chorister to stand down (or not)
and his decisions in this regard are not subject to appeal.The
conductor seeks to ensure that the choir fulfils its mission
statement and is an effective class of the CIT Cork School
of Music. Although the conductor is responsible for musical
decisions, he not only solicits, but positively welcomes
repertory suggestions from members.
Every chorister should feel free to communicate their views
on repertory directly to him, or to channel them through
a member of the committee.
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