Singers invited!
Open rehearsals for 2024–25:
Tuesdays, Sept. 3 & 10
Tuesdays, Jan. 7 & 14
Open rehearsals are free, no-commitment opportunities to check out MasterWorks Chorale and consider joining. Come give us a try!
WHEN: 7:00–9:15 p.m.
WHERE: Dobson Hall, First Presbyterian Church, Skaneateles [map]
WHO: You, if you'‘re high school age or older and are interested in singing with MasterWorks Chorale. You’ll hear, and begin practicing, some of the music we'll learn for upcoming concerts, and you’ll meet other new and returning singers.
WHAT: No auditions! You’ll be welcomed, asked for contact information, provided with a music packet and invited to sit in your preferred vocal section. There, you can listen and sing along as our upcoming music program is shared with the group. After rehearsal, new singers will gather for a few minutes at the piano with our director, to confirm placement by voice part.
REHEARSALS
We rehearse weekly on Tuesday evenings, 7:00–9:15 p.m., in Dobson Hall at First Presbyterian Church, Skaneateles, unless otherwise noted. Click here to VIEW, DOWNLOAD, OR PRINT OUR REHEARSAL & CONCERT CALENDAR.
A Saturday morning rehearsal is usually held the day before a Sunday concert.
Absences: If you must miss a rehearsal: for any reason, let the director know. To prepare for the next rehearsal, be sure to catch up on what you missed. The weekly email usually includes a link to an audio recording of the rehearsal. Listen through it, singing along and marking instructions in your music. The director will determine how many absences are permitted.
Public health awareness: You are responsible for assessing your health before every rehearsal or performance. If you feel ill or suspect exposure to contagion, let the director know you are unable to attend. Every singer is welcome to wear a mask whenever and wherever desired. Regarding any emerging risk of contagion, we will follow Onondaga and Cayuga County guidelines.
Weather and road conditions can vary widely across our area. If driving safety is a concern, please use your judgment in deciding whether to attend a rehearsal. Again, let the director know if you decide to stay home.
In case of a weather-related cancellation, we will make every effort to post a notice on this website and on our Facebook page, as well as contacting members by phone, at least an hour before the scheduled rehearsal.
MEMBERSHIP DUES
Membership dues are payable by the end of September. This contribution helps to cover our costs for music scores, concert chair rental, instrumentalist fees, and other operating expenses. Please see the director if dues pose a difficulty for your budget; we can help. The new season’s dues amount will be announced by September 3. Dues can be paid by cash, check or credit card. You can also use the “Pay Member Dues” button below to pay your dues securely online. Thank you!
JOINING MIDSEASON
We also invite new singers to consider joining MasterWorks Chorale midseason, with free open rehearsals at the beginning of January (for our March concert and Spring Gala) and in late March and/or early April (for the Spring Gala only). If you were inspired by our Messiah or holiday concert, or would like to warm up the winter months with vocal harmony and fellowship, give us a try!
For Messiah guest singers who continue as first-time Chorale members, dues are reduced to $50 for the remainder of the season. This option is at the director’s discretion, as rehearsals for the holiday concert begin in October, and sufficient learning time with the Chorale is needed.
For first-time members who join in January or April, dues are reduced to $40 for the remainder of the season.
NOTE: Midseason discounts are a one-time opportunity for new members only. Maintaining a regular membership is important for our quality and continuity as a choir, so discounted dues are only offered to first-timers joining mid-season. Membership dues are not reduced for participating in selective portions of a season.
Making music together – learning… polishing… creating the blend.
WEEKLY EMAILS TO MEMBERS
Mickeymails are generally sent weekly during the performance season to share news, reminders and helpful links with current members. Recent emails are archived here.
CONCERT ATTIRE
(unless otherwise specified)
FORMAL CONCERTS (October, November, December, March)
Men: black suit or tux with white shirt; necktie or bow tie as specified.
Women: black ankle-length skirt and top; or black ankle-length pants and top (wrist- or 3/4-length. Solid, not lace, shiny or sequined. A pearl necklace (real or simulated) may be worn, and small earrings.
Footwear: comfortable black shoes with black hosiery. Think safety and comfort, as we’ll be standing on risers.
Accessories: for certain concerts (TBA), a colorful scarf or vest may be planned.
ANNUAL GALA: Dressy attire is suited to the evening, and may range from cocktail to formal wear. A general theme or color scheme may be chosen by the planning committee.
ALL CONCERTS: no cologne or other scented products. Tobacco fumes from any source, including clothing, are prohibited.
LEARNING RESOURCES
YouTube often posts videos of choirs singing material we are working on. Type the title of a composition in the search bar at the top and press Enter, to see a list of available clips.
YouTube often posts rehearsal tracks of choral music: audio recordings for each voice part, with the score displayed onscreen. When available for a song we’re learning, links for rehearsal tracks will be shared in a member email.
To help you practice on your own, CyberBass.com offers downloadable audio tracks and mp3 files of individual parts. Start with the index of major works, alphabetized by composer. For our annual Messiah program, you can also go directly to Handel's Messiah.
Another helpful site is choralia.net. Choose from the mp3 catalog, featuring actual voices, or the Virtual Singer (VS) catalog, featuring synthesized voices, to practice at graduated levels: with metronome and/or organ only; emphasized among the other choir parts; and balanced with the other parts. Music is alphabetized by composer for listening or downloading.
ANNUAL SPRING GALA!
We wrap up our performance season with a sparkling evening of dinner, cash bar, entertainment, silent auction, raffle and more!
This festive annual fundraiser benefits the entire Chorale, helping us purchase music and hire instrumentalists for the following year.
All Chorale members are expected to participate! How? By singing, attending as a guest, bringing guests, and/or contributing items to our silent auction and raffle.
Learn all about this year’s Gala!
Request a donation from merchant or service provider!
Complete and hand in this form for each donation you bring in.
Send this thank-you letter for each donation you bring in.