Welcome to the Bismarck-Mandan Civic Chorus!Members are selected by audition, and invited to perform with the chorus based on the audition results and the current balance of voices in the ensemble. The chorus is an eighty-voice volunteer ensemble committed to the rehearsal and performance of high quality music in a variety of genres. The mission of the chorus is to foster and develop the art of choral music for its members and the communities it serves.We rehearse Monday evenings from the first week of September through the first week of May. Unless otherwise noted,rehearsals are in the Tom and Frances Leach Music Building at Bismarck State College. We perform a four-concert serieseach year. The schedule for 2009-10 is included on page two.Chorus members are strongly encouraged to attend all rehearsals. Rehearsals begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. and last until9:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Be sure to check your name on the attendance roster at the beginning of each rehearsal.Music is available at the first rehearsal each semester; your assigned folder will have all of your music in it.Members may miss up to four rehearsals (dress rehearsals count as two rehearsals) and still perform/maintain continuousmembership. After two years of continuous membership, members may request a semester leave of absence without lossof membership. You are not required to perform solos or small ensembles for An Evening at the Opera or An Evening onBroadway; you are encouraged to participate in the full chorus numbers at those concerts. Participation in the Christmasand Spring concerts is required to maintain membership (see attached by-laws, page 3).You are responsible for purchasing the chorus uniform. For women it is a specific choir gown, black hose, black shoes,and standard jewelry (necklace and earrings). Men wear a standard black tuxedo, black socks and shoes, white pleatedwing collar tuxedo shirt, and a specific vest and tie. Uniform information will be provided during the first weeks of rehearsal.Chorus members do not pay annual dues. Music and folders are provided but must be returned in good condition. Youare responsible for selling two general admission tickets to each BMCC concert, whether or not you are singing in that performance, or two season tickets. The requirement for ticket sales is waived during the first year of membership due tothe cost of uniforms.In October you will have the opportunity to sign up for solos/ensembles for An Evening on Broadway. Small groups andsolos are assigned by mid-November and groups meet on their own to rehearse music and choreography for the show.Contact Debi Rogers or Karen McBride if you have questions.There are many opportunities to be involved in the chorus, from ticket sales to concert set-up, membership on the Boardof Directors to distributing posters. This is our organization, and each of us plays a part in its success.If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Tom Porter at 471-0067 or tjporter@umary.edu or BoardPresident Brenda Quale at brq66@hotmail.com.

2009-10 Bismarck-Mandan Civic Chorus Schedule

Items in italics are not full chorus events.

Items in bold are dress rehearsals and performances.

Monday, Sept 7First rehearsal (yes, this is Labor Day) Evening at the OperaMonday rehearsals continue at BSC unless otherwise notedMonday, Sept 21Rehearsal at Belle MehusWednesday, Sept 23

Small ensemble (not full chorus) and soloist rehearsal at Belle

Thursday, Sept 24

Small ensemble (not full chorus) and soloist rehearsal at Belle

Friday, Sept 25

Opera education program at Belle (small ensemble/soloists only)

5:30 Dress rehearsal—full chorusSaturday, Sept 26

11:00 a.m. Small ensemble (not full chorus) rehearsal at Belle

7:30 p.m. EVENING AT THE OPERA

Monday, Sept 28No rehearsalMonday, Oct 5Rehearsals resume, Christmas/Carmina Burana

Monday, Dec 7Dress Rehearsal at Cathedral, 6:30-10:00 p.m.Saturday, Dec 12A CHRISTMAS KALAEIDESCOPE, 7:30 p.m.Sunday, Dec 13A CHRISTMAS KALAEIDESCOPE, 4:00 p.m.

Monday, Dec 14Full Chorus rehearsal, Evening on Broadway music and Carmina (Final rehearsal for fall)Monday, Jan 4Rehearsals resume at BSCSunday, Jan 17

Small groups rehearse on stage with lights/sound, schedule TBA

Monday, Jan 18Act I Dress Rehearsal, plus full chorus

Tuesday, Jan 19

Act II Dress Rehearsal (no full chorus)

Thursday, Jan 21Full Dress Rehearsal, plus full chorusFriday, Jan 22EVENING ON BROADWAY, 7:30 p.m.Saturday, Jan 23EVENING ON BROADWAY, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan 25No rehearsalMonday, Feb 1Rehearsals resume, Spring/CarminaTuesday, Mar 16Rehearse with BMSOWednesday, Mar 17Rehearse with BMSOFriday, Mar 19Rehearse with BMSO

Saturday, Mar 20CARMINA BURANA, 7:30 p.m., Mandan AuditoriumSunday, Mar 21CARMINA BURANA, afternoon, Mandan AuditoriumMonday, May 3Dress Rehearsal, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Belle MehusSaturday, May 8PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES, 7:30, Belle Mehus

Note: This concert date is a week later than usual due to the availability of the Belle