I. Attendance

Choir is an artistic team and every voice matters. Attendance at all rehearsals/events by all members is necessary for the success of the ensemble. The sound is created by a collection of the individual members creating the whole team. When a voice is missing, the sound changes in your section and the whole ensemble. The following attendance policy has been agreed upon by the ensemble directors of the Lafayette College Department of Music.

Definitions:
1) Unexcused Absences: For play rehearsals, study time, sorority/fraternity events, athletic events, meetings with professors, club events, etc.

2) Excused Absences: For illness, family emergencies, housing lottery, or academic conflicts that are approved in the first two weeks of the semester.

3) Tardy: Defined as missing between five and twenty minutes of rehearsal at any point (beginning, end, middle). Two tardies are treated as one absence.

REQUIRED ATTENDANCE: See syllabus.

II. Concert Attire
During informal concerts, students wear gender neutral attire, designed tops provided by Lafayette Choral Activities (to keep), and their own black pants. During formal concerts, all students may choose between one of two options for formal concert attire, either tuxedo or gown. Tuxes and gowns are borrowed from Lafayette Choral Activities.
III. Grading

Choir grades are determined by a combination of the factors below.

1)Attendance (see above. Any additional absences will result in the lowering of your grade by one-third letter).

2)Improving Musicianship (getting better, from wherever one starts, will be rewarded)

3)Preparation (being prepared for each rehearsal)

IV. Student Leadership

Successful teams are successful because each player not only prepares his or her individual part but also inspires his or her teammates to continually prepare at levels higher than might otherwise be possible. This gives each team member a personal stake in the results. A positive and supportive attitude is essential.

The students who hold the following positions are tasked with leading the ensemble from within. These students need not be the best individual performers in the ensemble, but they should be able to lead by example, with regard to commitment and personal preparation.

1) Section Leaders (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass)

The section leaders’ main goal is to set a strong example for the other members of the chorus in musicianship and commitment to the ensemble. These students should be advanced performers, and have sung in the chorus for at least two semesters. Section leaders will be selected by the director during the audition process and will serve for the remainder of the concert season.
Responsibilities include:
a) writing all rehearsal markings
b) giving markings to students who have been absent
c) leading sectional rehearsals when the director is working with another section

2) Chorus Social Chair(s)

The Chorus Social Chair(s) develop social activities for the ensemble to get to know one another and bond as a group.

3) Student Assistant Conductor(s)

A student who has studied conducting with Dr. Kelly for at least two semesters may be selected by the ensemble directors to serve as an assistant conductor. The Assistant Conductor will prepare and perform at least one piece (including rehearsals) with the choir during their term. The position may be renewed.

4) Chorus Assistant/Librarian

This is a paid student worker position of approximately 8 hours per week:
a) logistical support (attendance, photocopying, concert attire, organizing volunteers for set-up/strike, library inventory, and music distribution)
b) coordinate student participation in choir events, such as concert promotion, recruitment of new members, etc.
c) coordinate occasional meetings with Section Leaders and Dr. Kelly