Membership Guide
Letter from the Conductor
Welcome!
The Plano Civic Chorus has a rich tradition of bringing high-quality choral music to audiences all over North Texas. Over the past few seasons we’ve reached many artistic goals, but we’ve only just begun! We will continue to find opportunities to be challenged artistically and move forward as a chorus.
I ask that you try to attend every rehearsal and commit yourself to singing every concert. Each voice is equally important and each contributes to the outcome. Your dedication to PCC is vital to our success!
PCC’s administrative functions are run by a hard-working board of directors and a dedicated group of volunteers. I encourage you to get involved and support their efforts. There will be many volunteer opportunities in many diverse areas, all of which contribute to PCC’s success. Donating your time and talents will greatly enrich both you and the chorus.
I look forward to an exciting season of making music together!
Sincerely,
Ralph Frederick Stannard
Artistic Director and Conductor
Plano Civic Chorus
The Plano Civic Chorus has a rich tradition of bringing high-quality choral music to audiences all over North Texas. Over the past few seasons we’ve reached many artistic goals, but we’ve only just begun! We will continue to find opportunities to be challenged artistically and move forward as a chorus.
I ask that you try to attend every rehearsal and commit yourself to singing every concert. Each voice is equally important and each contributes to the outcome. Your dedication to PCC is vital to our success!
PCC’s administrative functions are run by a hard-working board of directors and a dedicated group of volunteers. I encourage you to get involved and support their efforts. There will be many volunteer opportunities in many diverse areas, all of which contribute to PCC’s success. Donating your time and talents will greatly enrich both you and the chorus.
I look forward to an exciting season of making music together!
Sincerely,
Ralph Frederick Stannard
Artistic Director and Conductor
Plano Civic Chorus
Info
What you need to know
Annual Dues
Rehearsals
Weekly Rehearsals
Rehearsal Attendance
Concert Requirements
Concert Folders
Concert Attire
Men:
Women:
Chorus Music
Reauditions
Chorus Communication
Annual Dues
- $150 per season, payable at the first rehearsal of the season. (Prorated to $75.00 if you join in the second semester.)
- Cash or checks are preferred; Visa and MasterCard payments are also accepted but a processing fee will be added to your payment.
- If you have a financial need, please contact the treasurer to make special arrangements.
- PCC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and your annual dues are fully tax-deductible. A tax receipt will be issued at the time of payment.
Rehearsals
Weekly Rehearsals
- Mondays, 7:15 pm to 9:30 pm.
- Choir rehearsal room, Christ United Methodist Church Plano
- Bring a pencil. Bring a water bottle. (Water is the only drink allowed).
Rehearsal Attendance
- Regular attendance is expected, and attendance is taken at every rehearsal.
- Singers must attend 80% of rehearsals before each concert.
- If you miss more than 20% of rehearsals before a concert, you may be asked to sing a performance check. This is at the sole discretion of the artistic director.
- Dress rehearsals during Concert Week are mandatory. Concert attire is NOT required.
Concert Requirements
Concert Folders
- A black concert folder is required for all concerts.
- Choral folders and three-ring adapters are available at local music stores or online through many sites, including Amazon.com
Concert Attire
Men:
- Black tuxedo, black vest, black bow tie, plain white wing-tip tux shirt; approximate cost:
- Black dress shoes
- Red bow tie for holiday concert
Women:
- Black skirt and black top, which are purchased through the chorus:
- Off-white, single-strand 16” or 18” pearl necklace and pearl stud earrings, either clip or pierced; rhinestone/CZ stud earrings are required for some concerts
- Black stockings
- Black, close-toed shoes
Chorus Music
- Please return all music immediately following each concert. Music is often borrowed from other organizations and must be returned promptly.
- Mark your music in PENCIL only.
- Do not punch holes in original pieces of music.
Reauditions
- Every second year (i.e., in odd-numbered years), the artistic director holds reauditions for current chorus members after the concert season is finished.
- Requirements and sign-up times will be announced well in advance.
Chorus Communication
- Email: All communication is by email. Be on the lookout for regular “Message from the Maestro” emails and other emails with critical information. Please let Rodrick Wilkins know of any changes. [email protected].
Decorum
Concert Decorum
Please follow these guidelines to ensure the highest standards of professionalism during concerts:
Rehearsal Decorum
Please follow these guidelines to ensure the best use of rehearsal time:
Please follow these guidelines to ensure the highest standards of professionalism during concerts:
- AVOID wearing fragrance; many singers are allergic or sensitive to fragrances.
- In rehearsal/warm up room, REMAIN QUIET while entrance procedures are given.
- DO NOT take water bottles on stage.
- REMAIN QUIET as we proceed to the stage.
- Hold folder DOWN and on your LEFT side.
- Remain standing until cued to sit (unless instructed otherwise).
- If the orchestra stands when the maestro enters the stage, stand with them (unless instructed otherwise). Wait for the cue to sit.
- DO NOT applaud soloists or the maestro when they enter the stage.
- Watch the maestro for standing and sitting cues during the performance.
- DO NOT sing, hum or turn your music along with the soloists. Have your music marked and ready for the next choral entrance.
- REMAIN STILL at the end of each piece of music and at the end of the performance until the maestro lowers the baton.
- After the baton is lowered, immediately close your folder and hold it down on your LEFT side.
- Applaud ONLY when individual performers are acknowledged.
- DO NOT leave the stage until all curtain calls are finished and applause ends. Proceed out in reverse order.
Rehearsal Decorum
Please follow these guidelines to ensure the best use of rehearsal time:
- Avoid wearing fragrance; many singers are allergic or sensitive to fragrances.
- Please be in your seat promptly at 7:15.
- Please limit talking during rehearsal.
- If you have a question about the music, please fill out a blank note card and leave it with the director after rehearsal. Please do not interrupt rehearsals with individual questions.
- Water bottles are welcome during rehearsal.
- Wear your name badge. We want to get to know you!
Concerts and Dress Rehearsals for 2020-2021 Season
Schedule
None due to covid 19
Addition Info
Overview
The Plano Civic Chorus (PCC), Inc., chartered in 1972, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the choral arts in North Texas. Our mission is to enrich the North Texas community by performing great choral masterpieces and exceptional modern choral works. We are dedicated to offering fulfilling musical experiences for audiences and opportunities for singers to express and improve their artistry.
How PCC Operates
Board of Directors: PCC is governed by an elected Board of Directors. All board members are volunteers, nominated through a committee selection process and elected by majority chorus vote each spring. The board meets monthly, and all board meetings are open to chorus members.
Budget and Funding: The chorus has an annual operating budget of approximately $90,000. Funding comes from many different sources:
How PCC Operates
Board of Directors: PCC is governed by an elected Board of Directors. All board members are volunteers, nominated through a committee selection process and elected by majority chorus vote each spring. The board meets monthly, and all board meetings are open to chorus members.
Budget and Funding: The chorus has an annual operating budget of approximately $90,000. Funding comes from many different sources:
- Annual dues provide about 60% of the salaries for artistic director and accompanist.
- Concert ticket sales contribute about 40% of the projected seasonal income.
- Concert program ads provide vital funding for the production and printing of concert programs.
- Performance fees are earned through performances for community events and with organizations such as the Plano Symphony Orchestra.
- Public grants include the annual grant from the City of Plano, which is used primarily to hire musicians for concerts.
- Private grants include an Arts Create Grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts. If you have experience with or an interest in writing grant submissions, please let a board member know.
- Corporate sponsors include past sponsors Target and Legacy Bank of Texas.
- Fundraisers include a major biannual fundraising event and smaller events throughout the year.
- Merchant donations are made through various shopper loyalty programs and through the online shopping programs iGive and AmazonSmile. For more information, see the PCC Fundraising page.
- Individual donations.
- In-kind donations.
Bylaws
| pcc_by-laws.doc |
Fundraising
PCC Fundraising – How You Can Help!
- Spread the word about North Texas Giving Day, when donations of $25 or more earn bonus funds from the Communities Foundation of Texas. North Texas Giving Day is one day only, Thursday, September 17, 2015, beginning at 6 am. To donate, visit www.northtexasgivingday.org and enter Plano Civic Chorus as the organization.
- Shop online through the iGive or AmazonSmile programs: iGive (www.igive.com ) includes more than 1,000 popular online retailers, which generally donate between 0.8% and 5% of your purchases to PCC. Sign up at www.igive.com and select Plano Civic Chorus as your charitable organization. Better yet, install the iGive button (www.igive.com/button) and donations will automatically be made when you shop on participating sites. Shop through AmazonSmile (https://smile.amazon.com) to earn money for PCC with your Amazon.com purchases, and Amazon Prime members will still receive the shipping benefits. Visit https://org.amazon.com, click on Register Now and enter Plano Civic Chorus. You MUST start your Amazon shopping through https://smile.amazon.com for PCC to benefit.
- Link your Tom Thumb Reward Card to the Good Neighbor Program. Stop by any Tom Thumb Customer Service counter to fill out the Good Neighbor form and link your card to PCC’s number (8196).
- Link your Kroger Plus Card to Kroger’s Community Rewards. Visit www.kroger.com/communityrewards to create an online account and enroll your Plus Card. Then enter Plano Civic Chorus or our organization number (82895) to designate PCC as your nonprofit organization.
- Buy an ad in our concert programs. Or sell an ad to business owners you know or businesses you patronize.
- Make a tax-deductible donation. Plano Civic Chorus is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and your annual dues are tax deductible. Additional donations are always welcomed!
- Check with your employer on matching donations. If the company has a donation match program, you can double the impact of your donation to the chorus!