Updated 8/25/15

Windward Choral Society Fall 2015 Welcome Packet

For the Joy of Music!

WHO WE ARE – We are the Windward Choral Society, a 100-member chorus of mixed voices (SATB), and encompassing singers of different backgrounds, ages, and vocal experience. The group performs ethnic, traditional, and master choral works, and its primary purpose and mission is to promote the joy, love, appreciation, and value of multi-cultural choral music with the public. This is a non-auditioned community based chorus. The wish is to keep the chorus dynamic and inclusive and to promote a choral community bonded through the universal language of music. WCS is a Hawai‘i nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) public charity status. FOUNDER/DIRECTOR – Susan McCreary Duprey was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘i and received her Master of Music degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. Ms. Duprey revived the music curriculum at Hawai‘i Pacific University and served as the founding director of the HPU International Chorale and Vocal Ensemble, two choirs specializing in international choral music. Susan keeps busy serving as Artistic Director of the Windward Choral Society (a chorus she founded in 2008), Artistic Director of the Kona Choral Society, and outrigger canoe paddling. She and her husband Bryan live in Kailua, O‘ahu. REPERTOIRE

- International (e.g. Japanese folksong, Sakura, Sakura) - Hawaiian (e.g. Kamehameha Waltz) - Standard sacred and secular American choral works (e.g. Shenandoah) - Patriotic (e.g. America, the Beautiful) - Standard sacred and secular European choral works (e.g. Schubert’s Ave Maria) - Choral Masterworks (e.g. Mozart’s Requiem)

REHEARSALS – Rehearsals will take place on Tuesdays from 7:00-9:00 PM in Holman Hall at Kailua United Methodist Church, 1110 Kailua Road, Kailua, HI, 96734 PERFORMANCES WCS typically has 5-8 performances annually, to include…

• Two major fall concerts • Two major spring concerts • Community events • Collaborative performances with guest ensembles

WCS also tours biannually to international or U.S. Mainland destinations

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MEMBERSHIP – For the fall 2015 season, open entry into WCS will take place through Tuesday, Oct. 6. After that date, singers may join depending on their past choral experience and vocal capability, at the discretion of the Director. EXPECTATIONS – Can you count to four? Can you match pitch? You’re in! From the shower stall singer to the professional, WCS has them all. We are a non-auditioned community chorus. If you love to sing and are willing to work hard (and vocalize on some pretty wacky warm ups), we’d love to have you. If a singer has difficulty matching pitch or if he/she is not sure of his/her voice part (soprano, alto, tenor, or bass), a vocal placement hearing will be required. A vocal placement hearing will consist of a 5-tone scale on a neutral syllable to check the vocal range and ability of a singer. The director may request a private vocal hearing to confirm a singer’s voice part and/or vocal ability. Specifics:

Music Reading Ability • If your music reading skills are a bit rusty or are non-existent, fear not! Although musical

terms will be used (forte, f#, crescendo, fermata, etc.), you are not expected to be a sight-reader.

• The important thing is to STICK WITH IT, even if you don’t quite understand. Try not to get discouraged or frustrated and remember to “use 'dem ears!” Most cultures do anyway. If you want, you may bring a recording device to rehearsals to help you. Depending on the repertoire, practice CDs may also be available. Be assured that we will have sectional rehearsals to help you learn the music as well.

Rehearsals • We’ll have fun and we’ll work hard! Be prepared for new and exciting ways to approach

choral singing. Some things might seem strange to you, but again, STICK WITH IT and you’ll find yourself enjoying yourself more and more.

• Bring water, your music, and a pencil to every rehearsal. Attendance

• Singers are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. If you want to sing in a performance, you need to know the music.

• Take the group seriously. The more we practice together, the better we’ll be. EACH voice is important to the whole! If you are sick, stay home. If you are tired, get to rehearsal!

• If you have missed several (more than three) rehearsals and want to sing in a performance, you may be asked to get together with the director and accompanist to go through the music. They will determine if you are ready to perform.

SCORES – In addition to purchasing our own WCS music, we may be borrowing scores from other sources. Please be mindful and take care of your music. The scores are not for you to keep. You may take your music home to study, but please do not make them a permanent part of your house. Scores will need to be returned at the end of the season. If you find a score in your home, you can place it in the “WCS Amnesty Box.” No pens or highlighters are to be used on the scores. Pencils only. Singers will be billed for unreturned scores.

• Continuing for Fall 2015: If you are interested, you may choose to purchase your own scores. Details will be announced at rehearsal.

UNIFORMS – Fall: aloha attire in holiday colors. Spring: aloha attire in shades of blue and green (details will be given as we get closer to concert time). WCS does not have formal group attire therefore there is no cost for a WCS uniform. WCS Logo wear is available for purchase on a voluntary basis.

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DUES – Singer Dues are the most important means of meeting our operating expenses each season. A sample of budget expenses for your average community chorus can be found below. Sample of Financial Needs:

- Purchase of music scores o On average, music scores for the season cost $20-30 per singer

- Guest instrumentalists and soloists - Director and accompanist stipend - Web design and maintenance - Rehearsal hall rental & storage - Liability insurance - Concert program printing & production - Advertising, printing and distribution of direct mail, inserts and flyers - Music technology equipment - Riser and chair rental - Other (office supplies, copying, lei, misc.)

• Dues are $100 ($50 for full-time students) each fall and spring season

o If this is a genuine hardship, you may share this confidentially with Susan Duprey or Rita Shuford. We have a need-based scholarship program. We don’t want to turn anyone away, but we do have to cover our fixed expenses.

o You may pay on-line on our “Chorus Connection” website. Details will be given at rehearsal. o Checks should be made out to: Windward Choral Society o Checks can be given at rehearsal or sent to: Windward Choral Society

202 Aiokoa Street Kailua, HI 96734

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: This is a terrific chorus! With the exception of our paid professional Artistic Director, Accompanist, and Admin Support Specialist, we are an entirely volunteer organization… and we do a great job at it! When opportunities present themselves, please consider volunteering to help enrich and develop this wonderful, wonderful group. We are unique and special to the community. Any bit of your time is deeply appreciated. WINDWARD CHORAL SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS Susan McCreary Duprey – Founder/Artistic Director Advisory Committee: Section Leaders: Rita Shuford – President Ka‘anohi Aipa S: Stephanie Pahia Jan Montgomery – Vice President /Acting Secretary Rick Klemm A: Nancy Kickertz Nathan Aipa – Treasurer Sue Slavish T: Dean Zane Briggs Christie Heather Strickland B: Mark Ethridge Mark Ethridge Accompanist: Bookkeeper: Cheri Higashihara Joanne Watanabe Mark Matsuura Lisa Leydon Admin Support: Pat Tom Karyn Castro Find Us Here: Webpage: www.thewindwardchoralsociety.org Email: WindwardChoral@icloud.com Phone: (808) 254-5717

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Windward Choral Society

2015 Fall Schedule Date Event

September Tuesday, Sept. 1: Open House; Newcomers @ 6:30pm, Returning @ 7:00pm Tuesday Rehearsals, 7-9pm: 8, 15, 22, 29 Sunday, Sept. 20, 5:00PM: Monthly Board Meeting Wed., Sept. 30: $200 Japan tour deposit due

October Tuesday Rehearsals, 7-9pm: 6, 13, 20, 27 Sunday, Oct. 18, 5:00PM: Monthly Board Meeting

November Tuesday Rehearsals, 7-9pm: 3, 10, 17, 24 Nov. 13-14 PacificAires Chorus from San Diego Collaboration (Fri/Sat. evening) Sunday, Nov. 15 Annual "Dr. Fan" Concert, 5PM Sunday, Nov. 22, 5:00PM: Monthly Board Meeting Mon., Nov. 30: $500 Japan tour deposit due

December Tuesday Rehearsals, 7-9pm: 1, 8 Friday, Dec. 11, 7:00PM: Annual Holiday Concert at Central Union Church More concerts to come – still firming up dates when this went to print No Monthly Board Meeting in December

On the Horizon… Tuesday, January 19, 6:30PM: Spring 2016 OPEN HOUSE No rehearsal March 22 1/15: $500 Japan tour deposit due 2/15: final payment for Japan Tour Japan Tour! June 20-28, 2016

blue=rehearsals/red=board/purple=concert/black=optional event

to join the Kona Choral Society and the

Windward Choral Society on our 2016

performance tour of Japan.Tokyo 2020

Olympic Games Countdown

TOKYO, JAPAN : JUNE 20-28, 2016For more info

Contact Sue Welter Sue@automatic-sf.com

YOU ARE INVITED