Performance Guidelines
It is important for everyone in the choir to follow the same standard of behaviour so that we all look professional. Remember that you are representing Mississauga Festival Choir to other performers, the audience and the venue staff at all times. (A downloadable version of the guidelines is included below.)
Before the concert:
Concert:
While performing:
While others are performing:
DO NOT:
DO:
Before the concert:
- Make sure you are wearing the proper attire; members not properly dressed may be asked to sit out the concert.
- If you will require water during the concert, please make sure it is in a plastic bottle.
- Have a black folder or three ring binder to hold your music.
- Reminder: Please do not hole punch any music. Magazine holders can be used to hold music in a three ring binder without damaging it. These can be purchased from any office supply store.
- Use paper clips or (removable!) sticky notes so you can quickly flip past any sections of a piece where you are not singing.
- Make sure you have a printed copy of the concert order and arrange your music in the correct order. Be prepared for changes to the concert order right up until the performance.
- Arrive at the dress rehearsal on time and ready to sing.
- Be prepared to move during the dress rehearsal. The conductor may have to adjust seating to make sure he/she can see everyone.
- Remember who is sitting to your left and who is sitting to your right.
- Remember or make a note of the side of the stage from which you will be entering.
Concert:
- Be ready and waiting backstage 15 minutes before the concert is scheduled to begin
- Line up in the assigned order at least five to 10 minutes before curtain. It is important to line up in the same order as you were in for dress rehearsal to avoid affecting sight lines and / or causing unprofessional last-minute order switches in front of the audience.
- Carry your folder in the hand facing toward the audience.
- Avoid talking or making noise when the doors to the stage are open.
- Follow your row into the theatre once the stage manager has given the cue to enter.
- Stop at your designated seat and turn to face the audience. Remain standing with your folder in one hand until the conductor gives the signal to open your folder or sit down.
- When seated, keep your folder closed on your lap.
While performing:
- Open your music to the page where you start to sing and wait for the conductor's cue. Do not follow along with other sections, soloists or instrumental parts.
- Turn pages slowly, carefully and quietly. The audience can hear noisy page turns, especially during quiet pieces. If you know there is a page turn during a quiet section, turn the page before or after the quiet section.
- Try not to tap. Tapping could be picked up by the microphones.
- While singing, try to maintain eye contact with the conductor as much as possible.
- The conductor will signal that the piece is over by lowering his or her hands.
- Stay silent and motionless with your music open to the last page until the conductor has signalled that the piece is over.
- The conductor will signal the choir to sit down or stand up. Please do not sit down on your own unless you have a good reason (disabilities, medical emergencies, etc.).
- While sitting down or standing up, try to keep noise to a minimum.
- Don't talk while sitting on the stage. There are microphones are everywhere.
While others are performing:
- Remember that the audience can still see you. Be courteous to other performers by listening politely and engaging as though you were the most well behaved members of the audience.
- Don't talk or make noise (crinkling water bottles, unwrapping candies, etc.).
- Don't distract the audience.
- Don't fidget.
- At the end of performance:
- Wait for a signal from the conductor to close your folder. Carry your folder in the hand facing towards the audience as you exit (this may be different from the hand you were carrying it in as you entered).
- Wait for the conductor to leave the stage before starting to move out of your row
- Quietly follow your row to the exit of the stage, which should be the same as the entrance.
DO NOT:
- Chew gum - you can’t sing with gum!
- Wear perfume or other strong scents - perfumes can trigger other members' asthma or allergies.
- Wear flashy jewellery.
DO:
- Wear unscented deodorant.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Have fun!
mfc_performance_guidelines_oct_2014.pdf | |
File Size: | 52 kb |
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