Fall 2010           

Purpose statement:                                         
We, the members of the ONE HEART CHOIR, a ministry of the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa, serve our community by bringing Love, Joy and Harmony to the celebration through music for the purpose of raising consciousness.

The ONE HEART CHOIR is a singing community whose vocal sound is woven together by something more than the strength of individual talent. Members are encouraged to develop personal creativity and then blend this into the greater group experience of unity and service through music. The music of the ONE HEART CHOIR expresses the love, trust and authenticity that is developed in this process.

Membership Service:
It takes a village . . . members share their musical skills and also commit to selfless service (seva) directly associated with choir. Choir members are required to have completed or to be enrolled in either the Beyond Limits class or the Foundations class. Ask about choir discount price. It is strongly recommended that all prospective members attend the selfless service (seva) workshop and/or attend the Center Membership classes. Call Georgett at 546-4543 x110 for the date of these free classes.            

Time Commitment:
We rehearse every Thursday evening beginning September 16^th and continuing through May 5^th. Below is a listing of performance and rehearsal dates. We sing on designated Sundays at all three services: 8:30 am, 10:00 am and 11:30 am. On Choir Sundays, we meet on stage in the sanctuary at 7:20 a.m. to warm up and check sound. The final service ends at 12:30 pm.

FALL 2010 performance dates are:
·       Thursday, September 16, 6:30 - 9:00 in Room 10 - 1^st rehearsal of the Fall Season

Every Thursday after this date: 

Mandatory Sectionals meet between 6:30 – 7:25 in break out rooms;
Full choir meets between 7:30 – 9:00 in room 10

·       Sunday, October 17 ― Choir Sunday

·       Friday, October 22 (Tentative date) ― Rehearsal for Choir Talent Showcase

·       Saturday, October 23 ― Choir Talent Showcase

·       Tuesday, November 23 ― Rehearsal for Thanksgiving Eve Service

·       Wednesday, November 24 ― Choir sings for Thanksgiving Eve Service (Evening)

·       Sunday, December 19 ― Choir Sunday

WINTER BREAK – December 20, 2010 to January 9, 2011 ― NO REHEARSALS

Spring 2011

·       Thursday, January 13 ― 1^st rehearsal of the Spring Season

·       Sunday, February 20 ― Choir Sunday

·       Saturday, February 26 - all day retreat at Bishops Ranch, Healdsburg

·       Friday, April 1 ― Rehearsal for Music Department/Choir Concert
                              and there may be some additional rehearsals during this week T.B.A.

·       Saturday, April 2 ― Music Department/Choir Concert

·       Sunday, April 24 ―  Choir Sunday (EASTER)

·       Sunday, May 8 ― Choir Sunday

·       Thursday, May 12 – End-of-season celebration

On the Thursday evening before our performance Sunday, we have a full band rehearsal. We set up risers in the Sanctuary at 6:00 pm. On these evenings prepare to stay until 9:30 or 10:00 pm. 

Accountability / Absence Policy:
Please check in with Claire Victor, Choir Director, about all absences: rehearsals, performances or a request for an extended time away. Also, note the dates of any planned absences on the attendance sheet. In the event of an unplanned absence, call or email Claire AND your designated section leader before the start of a rehearsal if possible. Everyone is held responsible for the material covered during each rehearsal. Make sure you arrange to have a choir “buddy” take notes and/or record the session you miss. Frequent, unreported absences may result in dismissal.

Music Preparation:
Sheet Music: As a new member, you’ll be invited to join The ONE HEART CHOIR yahoo group. Sheet music is stored on this site under FILES > Fall 2010 Music:  PDF files (charts, sheet music, lyrics). The files will either be just lyrics, music with parts or just the melody line. You are responsible for printing your music.

Attend all rehearsals with sheet music, audio recorders and other support tools.

Computers are an ESSENTIAL part of choir. YOU NEED COMPUTER ACCESS TO JOIN CHOIR.  If you need computer training on how to use your computer to support your choir experience, please let us know as soon as possible so we can arrange that.

Homework:
Each member is required to devote individual time to learning his/her part between scheduled group rehearsals.  If any questions or concerns come up as you rehearse independently, contact a “buddy” or section leader(s).  Come to sectional prepared with your well-rehearsed part and clarifying questions. We are “off book” two weeks prior to a performance date. All music is to be memorized at that point.

Choir Email:
Choir email is essential. Check it weekly before rehearsal for announcements. Choir email is for currently enrolled choir members and staff only. Email assists with questions pertaining to choir music preparation, prayer requests and demonstrations. We also use it for community building and keeping each other informed of music-related announcements and personal inquiry. Please, NO chain letters or political mail. If your email is not directly related to choir music like a prayer request or a request for house rental leads make sure you indicate this in the subject line with the word, “(optional)”. If you have questions, contact Francesca whose email is: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Here are the e-mail addresses to post, subscribe or to unsubscribe from our group, and the website location:

Post message: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Subscribe:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Unsubscribe:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

List owner:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Group Website:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OneHeartChoir

Yahoo Groups has ALL of the ONE HEART CHOIR messages ever sent. You can look at them at any time.  To do this you have to:

1) Go to Yahoo.com;  

2) Find the Groups "button" and click it, so you'll be at http://groups.yahoo.com;  

3)  Find the Sign In! "button" and click it; 

4)  Sign in with your Yahoo ID and Password (you must already have one if you are in the group); 

5)  Click on "OneHeartChoir" in the 'My Groups' column; 

6)  Bookmark the page so you never have to go through this nonsense ever again; and

7)  Read any of the messages ever posted.

There are also FILES that you may find helpful regarding singing tips, how to burn a CD, dress code and so on. Check it out!

Dress Code:
We wear a certain style or color(s) for performances. You will be expected to either borrow or purchase some items if you do not already own them. We try to give 3 weeks advance notice of color schemes so you can plan your outfit.  

Treatment and Prayer:
Choir practitioners are available to you for prayer requests. We open each sectional with prayer. This is a great opportunity to practice praying out loud. You also might consider having a choir prayer partner.  

Vocal coaching:
Periodically, Claire and other members will offer “sectional classes” and/or other music skill development opportunities. They are designed to work group qualities including blending and tone. In addition you may want to consider private voice lessons as well as spiritual counseling for those beliefs that hold you back from expressing your full voice. Both are available at a discount to choir members.

Please feel free to contact Claire directly with questions.  
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Phone: (707) 484-3810

After you’ve read the choir membership requirements, checked your calendar for availability, auditioned & been accepted, you’ll be asked to sign the following.

Click here for a printable version. (Be sure to click on the word "Download" and not on the document title.)

ONE HEART CHOIR Commitment Agreement ― Fall 2010
Please print, sign and return a copy to Lea Sassone, Membership Liaison. Questions? 
Email Lea:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

In signing this agreement, I mindfully embrace certain commitments & responsibilities for the greater good of the choir community.  

The Agreement

I commit to attending both sectional and group choir rehearsals. 

I will arrive on time to rehearsals and performances. 

I will bring sheet music, audio recorders and other support tools to all rehearsals.   

I understand that leaving choir mid-season may require that I re-audition for the next season.

I understand that the Choir sings at all three services:  8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. 

I will adhere to the dress code for Choir Sundays. (SEE: “Rise and Shine” document for details; it’s posted on the Choir Yahoo site). 

I recognize that I will be expected to either borrow or purchase some clothing items if I do not currently own them.   

I will have a “buddy” relationship with someone from my section.

I will call or email Claire and my section leader prior to missed rehearsals.

I will inform the choir director about absences either from Choir Sunday,  band rehearsals or for planned extended absence.  

I will be responsible for any material missed by my absence.  

I understand that frequent, unreported absences may result in my dismissal from choir.

I own or have direct access to a computer and know how to use it. 

I will join the yahoo email group and stay up-to-date on weekly announcements.  

I understand that the yahoo group is for current active members only.

I have completed either the Foundations class or the Beyond Limits class. YES.   NO.   (Circle one.)                                                                                                            If YES, when?__________

I have not taken either class but plan to in the:    Fall    Spring      Summer      N/A     (Circle one.)  

I am a member of the CSLSR.    YES.    NO.   (Circle one.)

I have attended the SEVA workshop. YES.   NO.   (Circle one.) 

I have also taken and received credit for the following CSL class(es):

I agree to process my personal challenges in the following manner:  first, I’ll pray.  If it is not resolved, I’ll speak directly to the person involved. If needed, I’ll see a practitioner. If it’s still not resolved, I’ll speak to my section leader or the choir director.  I’ll then speak to the minister. I acknowledge that I am 100% responsible for my experience in choir. 

I acknowledge that there are many SEVA opportunities in choir. In addition to singing, I promise to contribute some other service(s) as well.

I acknowledge that participating in the Music Ministry at CSLSR is a spiritual practice and I am committed to giving and receiving the most joy possible in this practice.

_____________________________________________________

Name printed

_____________________________________________________

Signature and Date

For additional information about the  One Heart Choir
Please contact: Claire Victor, CSLSR Choir Director
                        Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
                        Phone:   (707) 528-2342