2016-2017 Board of Directors –

Robyn Dennis, President

John Pleasants, Past President

Mark Ostrander, President-Elect

Marianne Chalstrom, Secretary

Chris Johnson, Treasurer

Cynthia Marten, Marketing Director

Dan Sprengeler, Development Director

Board meetings are usually after first rehearsal of the month at Bethesda. All are welcome to attend.

 

Rehearsals 

A rehearsal/concert schedule will be sent out prior to each concert year. We rehearse Thursday’s at Bethesda Lutheran Church from 5:35 – 7:20. The Thursday prior to each concert, we will rehearse at our concert location. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes.  While we don’t have formal break times, singers are free to get up and take a short break whenever necessary.  The goal is to be ready to sing at 5:35, so please come early enough to allow a few minutes of conversation and catching up. Singers are responsible for appropriate individual preparation between rehearsals. Some music for our concerts may be memorized.  

Rehearsal Reminders 

No scents makes sense –Several of our singers have allergic reactions to scented products. Please keep talking during rehearsals to a minimum as a courtesy to our director and others.                  

Retreats

Two Saturday Retreats are scheduled for each concert. They are from 9:00 to noon at Bethesda. Two sections will be assigned to bring morning treat for our rehearsal break.

Attendance

 It is understood that all singers have agreed and committed to the rehearsal schedule ahead of time.  Singers are expected at every rehearsal.  Illness and unforeseen absences will happen, but please do your best not schedule conflicts. Attendance is taken at rehearsals. Please let Dave and Marianne know if you will be gone.  

Committees

For the group to be successful, everyone needs to pitch in.  Please be generous with your time and sign up for at least one committee.  Remember, the more folks we have dividing up a particular task, the easier it is for everyone involved. Committee sign-up will occur the first month of rehearsals.              

Marketing
 Helping with webpage, Facebook, creation of posters and tickets, news articles, and other promotional efforts.

House
Assists with all preparations for concerts including moving risers which are stored at Bethesda, sanctuary clean up and working with Barb Schendel who is in charge of tickets and ushers.

Development
Helping with program preparation for “Standing Ovations” and outreach programs, and fundraising efforts.

Reception, Retreats, Hospitality
 Organizing preparations for retreats, after-concert receptions and assigning jobs for all

(All singers bring the refreshments and help with clean up)

 

A special thank you to our long standing committee of two & Co-Librarians Jan and Brad Larson!

 

Concert Attire

LADIES – Uniform concert black dress and broach, black shoes, black hosiery and a 20-24” strand of pearls (faux is fine.)  The pearls should be no larger than ¼ inch in diameter.  Concert dress information is available from Jan Larson or Connie Hardy.  If you need to purchase a new dress, see them to find out if we have any in our inventory.  Remember, dresses have to be mailed to us and then shortened because dresses come unhemmed.  

MEN – Black tuxedo with black shoes and socks.  White shirt with appropriate bow tie.  See returning men singers if you have questions.   

Reminder: Please do not wear perfume or scented hair products as we want everyone to be able to sing at their best and some singers have strong allergies.

Dues

Dues for 2016-2017- $75.00 for the year. Dues are paid to the treasurer at the start of each concert year. If needed, dues can be paid $37.50 per semester.

 

Fundraising

In an effort to keep dues as low as possible we welcome additional tax-deductible contributions from singers, family and friends. Fundraising is an important part of our efforts!

Many ACA activities require financial support including purchase or rental of music, publicity, hiring musicians, concert hall rental and special projects.  We thank Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA) for a yearly grant. We also receive revenue from ticket sales, special grants and the generous contributions of others who support the arts.

 

2016-17 Special Dates to Remember

(Subject to change)

Fall

  • Thursday, Sept. 8 – First rehearsal
  • Saturday,  Oct. 15 – Fall Retreat 1 –  9 am-12pm
  • Sunday, Nov. 6 – Good Neighbor Concert (Warmup TBD, Concert 2 p.m., Collegiate Methodist)
  • Saturday, Nov. 19 – Fall Retreat 2 – 9 am-12 pm
  • Thursday, Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving) NO REHEARSAL
  • Sunday, Dec. 3 –  Outreach concert in Boone (TBD)
  • Saturday,  Dec. 10 – Holiday Concert 7:30 pm (Call time 6:30 pm)

Spring

  • Tuesday, Jan. 5 – First rehearsal
  • Saturday, Feb. 5 Spring Retreat 1 – 9am-12pm
  • Thursday April 13 (Maunday Thursday) – NO REHEARSAL
  •  Thursday, March 16 (Spring Break) NO REHEARSAL
  • Saturday,  April 22 –  Spring Retreat 2 – 9 am-12 pm
  • Saturday, May 13 – Spring Concert, 7:30 pm (6:30 call)