Ithaca Community Chorus & Chamber Singers

Fall 2024

Mozart’s Requiem

Chorus Music Director:  Gerald Wolfe

Founder and Director Emeritus: Paul E. Gibbons

2024-2025 Steering Committee Members: Charlotte Rosen, Brian Bauer, Julie Galambush, Jackie Magagnosc, Kathryn Miller, Joyce Morgenroth, Erin Murphy, Allison Myers, Allen Reed, Charlotte Rosen, Betsy Schermerhorn – send email to the steering committee at icccsboard@ACIthaca.org

OUR MISSION

The Ithaca Community Chorus and Chamber Singers fosters a community that

♦ is open to all;
♦ is dedicated to excellence;
♦ enriches Ithaca and the surrounding communities through the performance of great choral music.

Chorus rehearsals at a glance

When

·       First rehearsal: Wednesday, September 18 at 6:30 PM for registration
·       Weekly Rehearsals: Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30 PM
·       Chamber Singers:  8:30-9:30 PM (Gerald Wolfe will announce auditions, schedule, and repertory)

Where

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (downstairs dining room) Corner of Court and Aurora Streets, Ithaca

Things you’ll need

·       Scores for Mozart’s Requiem (see ICC&CS website for details at https://acithaca.org/groups/icccs/music/)
·       Pencils:  Please bring at least one to every rehearsal to mark your part as necessary.
·       Chorus e-newsletter:  Give us your e-mail address and you’ll receive this each week during the semester
·       Register online at https://acithaca.org/groups/icccs/join/. $75 registration fee this semester, students’ fee is $25.  Contact Charlotte Rosen to apply for a full or partial scholarship.

·       While we don’t take attendance, please check your schedules to make sure you won’t miss more than three rehearsals and either of the dress rehearsals (required attendance).

Masks are optional; please inform Charlotte Rosen if you test positive for COVID.

Some helpful people to know:

Charlotte Rosen, President, ICC&CS, iccpres@acithaca.org

Betsy Schermerhorn, ICC&CS Treasurer, icctreasurer@acithaca.org

Gerald Wolfe, Music Director, iccdirector@acithaca.org

Allison Myers, Newsletter, iccnews@acithaca.org

Ed Olmstead, Registrar, musicinfo@acithaca.org

Rehearsal Schedule

 September 18, 25
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
November 6, 13, 20 (no rehearsal Nov. 27)
December 4, 11, 18 (no rehearsal Dec. 25)
January 8 (no rehearsal Jan. 1)
Dress rehearsals:  Wednesday January 15 and Friday January 17
Concert:  Saturday January 18, 7:30 p.m.

OUR MISSION

The Ithaca Community Chorus and Chamber Singers fosters a community that

  • is open to all;
  • is dedicated to excellence;
  • enriches Ithaca and the surrounding communities through the performance of great choral music.

MEMBERSHIP & DUES

Who                Novice and experienced adult singers are welcome to join the Ithaca Community Chorus without audition. Auditions for the Chamber Singers are held each semester and are open to all members.

Restrictions    No new member may join after the third rehearsal of the semester without the prior permission of the music director, Gerald Wolfe. Please do not bring young children or pets to rehearsals.

Dues                The ICC&CS steering committee sets dues prior to the start of each semester. Membership dues must be paid in full at the start of each semester ($75 regular, $25 students).  Contact Charlotte Rosen to apply for full or partial scholarships.

Refunds          Registration can be withdrawn with a full refund by notifying one of the following before the fourth rehearsal: ICC&CS Registrar Ed Olmstead or President Charlotte Rosen (email addresses above).

Music              Singers will be expected to purchase their own scores (see website for details – https://acithaca.org/groups/icccs/music/).

 

ATTENDANCE

                  Chorus members are encouraged to attend all rehearsals.

Schedule         Rehearsals are at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 PM.  The Chamber Singers rehearse from 8:30 to 9:30 PM.  Members should arrive promptly; masks are optional (see Covid policy below).

Absences        Attendance will be based on the honor system with a maximum of three absences.  In addition, there are two dress rehearsals that are mandatory.

Cancellations  Unless the roads are closed by the Tompkins County Sheriff, rehearsals are not cancelled due to inclement weather.

 

CONCERT-WEEK REHEARSALS

Schedule         Each concert is typically preceded by two “dress rehearsals” (concert attire not required) with orchestra and soloists the week of the performance. Arrive early, warmed up, and ready to sing.

Attendance     To sing in the concert, members must attend all concert-week rehearsals. Exceptions will only be granted by music director Gerald Wolfe, in advance, under special circumstances.

 

CONCERTS

Schedule         Arrive by the required time, in concert dress.

Dress               Long-sleeved, plain, solid black blouse, dress shirt, or turtleneck; solid black dress pants/slacks, skirt, or dress; opaque black stockings or socks; black shoes.  Please, no jackets or ties.

COVID Information and Policy

Rehearsals are being held in the dining room at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.  St. Paul’s has updated the ventilation system for the dining room to improve the quality of the room environment and to allow the introduction of outside air.

The ACI choruses will follow current COVID mitigation guidance of the CDC, NYSDH, and Tompkins County Whole Health. Individual choruses may implement additional protective measures such as distancing, testing, or requiring masking as appropriate to their participants.  If chorus members test positive, they will notify the president of the chorus, and the chorus president will notify their membership.

Mask wearing is optional.  If you are interested in purchasing a Singer’s Mask, all we can suggest is that you Google “singing masks” and you will find many choices, some from reputable sources and some probably not so reputable.