choir handbook

For the convenience of choir members, here is a copy of our choir handbook.

I. CHOIR MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Holy Trinity Choir is to serve our God and our congregational community through the joyous gift of music. By using the musical talents God has bestowed on us and by working to develop those talents to the best of our abilities, we strive to lead the congregation in sung worship each week, to provide inspiration through concerts and special events, and to help raise the hearts and voices of all in praise and thanksgiving.

We ask God to bless and inspire us, to fill us with the Holy Spirit, and to grant us the peace and joy of knowing we are doing His work. We ask all through Christ our Lord. Amen.

II. GENERAL PARTICIPATION EXPECTATIONS

Holy Trinity Choir is scheduled to sing at one Sunday morning Mass from mid-August through mid-June each year. The choir is also scheduled to sing at the annual Memorial Concert in November, Lessons and Carols in December, and other special performances during the year. Normal rehearsal time is Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., in the choir room.

On Sunday mornings, we meet in the choir room 45 minutes prior to Mass for preparation.

III. CHOIR RESPONSIBILITIES

Be on time for all rehearsals, Sunday Mass preparations, and any other scheduled services or concerts. “On Time” means in your seat and ready to begin warm-up.

Each week, a choir section will be responsible for leading the weekly prayer reflection. Please volunteer to your section leader to lead the weekly prayer and reflection at the end of the Wednesday rehearsal.

Sign out in the Sign-out book, located in the music bookcase, in the choir room, whenever you know you will be absent. If you forget to sign out or something comes up at the last minute, please inform your section leader.

Please inform your section leader if you need help with a piece of music.

If you have any concerns or issues regarding the Choir, please speak with your section leader, any choir council member, or the Director.

Assist the choir council in coordinating arrangements for choir gatherings. (See Choir Council member responsibilities.)

IV. CHOIR ETIQUETTE

In order to maintain a prayerful atmosphere during mass and to participate more fully in the liturgy:

Please observe “quiet time” 10 minutes prior to the start of Mass, for individual meditation and preparation. The overhead microphones are on, and noise from the choir loft is heard below.

Please remain seated, if possible, during instrumental preludes and postludes.

Please refrain from “socializing” during Mass. Other choir members may be trying to engage and participate in the Mass.

Please refrain from eating or drinking anything other than water in the choir loft. Water in bottles may be used.

V. CHOIR COUNCIL

The Choir Council assists the Director with the operational issues affecting Holy Trinity Choir. The Choir Council consists of:

President
Vice-President
Secretary
Four (4) Section Leaders
Sunshine Fund Coordinator
Director of Music

Council officers are elected for a one-year term, except for Vice President. The Vice President will be elected for a two year term, first year as Vice President, and the second year as President. All terms begin June and run through the following May. The nomination process begins mid-March, and elections are held around April 1. Current and newly elected council members will jointly attend the last council meeting of the choir year. The maximum individual office term shall not exceed two years.

In the event a Section Leader position becomes vacant during the choir year, an elected officer may represent their section until a new person is elected to the position. This provision will only apply to officers who are in the same choral section as the vacancy.

VI. CHOIR COUNCIL MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

All Members

Review and update the Choir Handbook, as needed.
Assist in coordinating arrangements for all choir gatherings, including:
fall and spring retreats
annual choir banquet
day clinics
days of recollection
group holiday celebrations
other gatherings

President

Arrange dates and times for the monthly council meetings.
Prepare the council agenda, with the Director’s input.
Preside at council meetings
Communicate council information/decisions/business to all choir members at the rehearsal following each monthly meeting.
In case of a tie vote on any issue, the president’s vote will be the tie breaker.
Approve the minutes before distribution to the membership.

Vice-President

Coordinate weekly prayer/reflection
Gather discussion topics for council agenda and provide them to the President.
Attend the monthly council meetings
Assume responsibilities in the President’s absence.

Secretary

Maintain current address/email/phone list for choir members, in coordination with Director. Distribute copies of list as needed.
Attend the monthly council meetings and take minutes (or designate alternate).
Distribute draft of minutes to council president for final approval. Distribute minutes to council members, email copy of minutes to choir members, and post copy of minutes on choir bulletin board in choir room.
Prepare all necessary choir council correspondence.
Maintain Choir handbook. Ensure each new choir member receives a copy of the handbook.

Section Leaders

Notify section members of pertinent dates and information. Check on absentees.
Arrange Sectionals as needed.
Attend monthly council meetings. Provide the president with suggested agenda items at least one week before the meeting.
Designate alternate to perform duties in your absence, including attendance at council meetings.

Sunshine Fund Coordinator

Maintain and update Sunshine Fund Guidelines as needed.
Collect money from choir members.
Attend monthly council meetings. Provide the president with suggested agenda items at least one week before the meeting.
Coordinate with council regarding group celebrations. Purchase cards, gifts, flowers, supplies, etc. for group celebrations, and ensure cards are signed and delivered. Cards shall be placed on table in choir room for signing. Cards shall not be passed around during rehearsals or Mass.
Maintain records of collections and disbursements.

APPENDIX A

Music Ministries at Holy Trinity Catholic Church:

Holy Trinity Choir

Membership is open to all parishioners who enjoy singing and wish to use their talents to enrich the spiritual life of Holy Trinity.

Schola Cantorum

A vocal group, whose repertoire emphasizes classical sacred music.

Coro

Provides musical leadership for the Sunday Spanish Mass, and other services celebrated in Spanish.

Handbell Choir

A group who enriches celebrations with solo hand bell selections, as well as anthem accompaniments.

Cantors

Provide leadership to the congregation during the Mass.

5pm Contemporary Choir (Happy Hour Choir)

Provides musical leadership for the 5 pm Sunday Mass.

APPENDIX B

Sunshine Fund Guidelines

The purpose of the Sunshine Fund is to provide funds to buy cards and flowers for group celebrations. It is funded by the Holy Trinity Choir members on a voluntary basis. Cards shall be placed on table in choir room for signing. Cards shall not be passed around during rehearsals or Mass.

A record of collections and disbursements will be kept by the Sunshine Fund Coordinator.

Qualifying events are as follows:

Cards

Choir member birthdays
Wedding, including anniversaries
Get-Well cards for choir members

Flowers/Memorial

Funeral of choir member
Funeral of immediate Family member
Hospitalization or extended illness of choir member
Extraordinary Circumstances, as determined by the Choir Council

APPENDIX C

Nomination Procedures

Council officers are elected for a one-year term, except for Vice President. The Vice President will be elected for a two-year term, first year as Vice President, and the second year as President.

The nomination process begins mid-March, and elections are held around April 1. The Vice President will run the nomination and election.

Each member of the choir is eligible to run for office. The vice president will develop the nomination form. Members will self nominate and provide the completed form to Vice President during the nomination period. Members may only run for one position on the council.

During the nomination period, the vice president will advise the choir of any vacant seats and encourage additional nominations.

Once the nominations are closed, the election ballots will be created and the election will be held.

Current and newly elected council members will jointly attend the last council meeting of the choir year. The maximum individual office term shall not exceed two years.

All terms begin June and run through the following May.