The Great Neck Choral Society

# on leave

SOPRANOS

Marcia Belgorod, Lynne Chrapliwy, Karen Drake, Maria Rua Felix, Diane Garcia, Deborah Greene, Mitzi Jonas, Nancy Leavitt, Michele Morrison, Evelyn Oberstein, Ellen Rosen, Kathy Siff, Mary Lou Solliday, Eva Winsberg.
 

ALTOS

Lilah Alexander, Beatrice Aubrey, Marjorie Bartels, Ann Behrendt, Nancy Braman, Judith Brook, Giovanna Denaro, Ingrid Elefant, Sylvia Ettinger, Irene Feinberg, Ren?e Altman Fleischer, Germaine Fontaine, Joan Gartner, Fran Gordon, Gilda Hecht, Shirley Horowitz, Carolyn Minionis, Joan Schussheim, Emily Stern, Barbara Taffet, Alma Whitney.
 

TENORS

Joan Baum, Charles Boehme, Michael Leavitt, Richard Levin, Edward Moulin, Hermine Plotnick, Lawrence Schwartz, James L. Shepherd, Sam Shohen, Seth Winsberg.
 

BASSES

David Aubrey, Simmy Bank, #Roy C. Bennett, Paul Drake, Robert D. Goldman, Lawrence Levin, Robert Macus, Lawrence Merson, William L. Nash, Herman Soifer, Claude Springer, Jack L. Stark, Richard A. Whitney, Thomas Wood.
 

Section Contacts

In each section of the chorus there is a member who has been appointed to serve as a central contact for his or her section. Phone that person if you must miss, or be late for, a rehearsal--or to get answers to any questions of procedure. The section contacts are:

• Sopranos--Eva Winsberg
• Altos--Shirley Horowitz
• Tenors--Joan Baum
• Basses--Jack Stark

Our Accompanist and Organist

Guy Brewer

Guy Brewer has been organist and choirmaster of Zion Episcopal Church in Douglaston, Queens for the past ten years. Possessed of a beautiful tenor voice, he has also sung in, and directed, the Russian Chamber Chorus of New York, located in Manhattan. Mr. Brewer, a native New Yorker, majored in music theory at Juilliard School of Music, and studied organ, composition and conducting at Yale University. He formerly directed the Georgia Folk Group, an American group specializing in the music of that former Soviet republic. For his study and performance of Georgian folk music he was awarded a state prize and a laureateship. Mr. Brewer lives in Bayside Queens. Guy Brewer Blvd. in southern Queens is named after his grandfather.

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Responsibilities

It takes discipline and money to prepare and give a satisfying choral performance. A member who misses rehearsals, is obviously inattentive or disruptive, or who for other reasons becomes a "drag" on his or her section may be asked to leave the chorus. As to money, the only obligation of a member is to pay the annual dues. However, as indicated below, a successful performance requires that many members go beyond the minimum.

Rehearsals

Regular attendance at rehearsals is essential. We recognize that personal conflicts--including, sometimes, a well-earned vacation--can arise. But the Conductor is empowered to dismiss anyone who misses an excessive number of rehearsals. It is particularly important to mark on the calendar the dates of the extra, or "dress," rehearsals that may be scheduled immediately prior to a performance.

On-time arrival at rehearsals is also important. Normal rehearsals start at 7:30 pm, with a 10-minute vocal warmup. This is important to prevent vocal straining--and poor sound--during the rehearsal. A member who has difficulty being "on the dot" because of inflexible work or train schedules should explain his or her problem to the President to avoid misunderstanding of his or her level of commitment.

During rehearsal it is imporant be be attentive to the comments and instructions of the Conductor, and to avoid chatter that may cause those comments and instructions to be unheard. It is also important to mark in the score the dynamics that reflect the Conductor's interpretation of the music.

Home Study

Those who are excellent "readers" may never have to pick up a score between rehearsals. But for the majority--merely adequate or even poor readers--it is essential to study key portions of the score at least once between rehearsals. Otherwise, the Conductor has to spend an inordinate amount of time getting the notes right, with little time left for imparting dynamics and other elements of interpretation.

It is also desirable to obtain a recording of the piece (or pieces) to be sung if one is available. Where different recordings are available, the Conductor may express a preference for a particular one, but any recording is better than none. From a recording it is possible to see how the voices fit together and how they work with the orchestra. A recording can also help in learning the notes. For some pieces it is possible to obtain a special tape or CD on which a particular part, say the alto part, is emphasized--a great help in the note-learning process.

Concerts

The "look" of a chorus is important. The Great Neck Choral Society has standardized its concert attire as follows.

• For women: black blouse, black skirt, black shoes.
• For men: black tuxedo (or suit), white shirt, black bow tie, black shoes.

Because of the tight quarters in a concert, and because some members may have severe allergies, It is important not to wear perfume or after-shave lotion.

Cooperation is needed in setting up for, and "breaking down" after, a concert. Volunteers will usually be solicited to set up chairs or help make other physical arrangements at the concert venue and to restore the premises to pre-concert order. Such work often is needed also at the site of a dress rehearsal.

Volunteers--typically drawn from members' families--will also be sought to sell and take tickets at the door.

Financial Support

Every member is required to pay annual dues, collectible in September. The amount currently is $175. There are discounted dues of $250 for a couple and $50 for a student.

Each member is also expected to sell tickets. This obviously is important to the financial health of the group. But equally important is having a decent-sized audience to appreciate the results of our hard work.

Members can also help by recruiting financial supporters at various contribution levels, by selling ads for the concert program, and by participating in miscellaneous fund-raising activities. One way to contribute is to buy gift supermarket cards from the group. We get these from retailers at a 5% discount, which means that we can clear $50 for each $1,000 you spend at the supermarket.

Recruitment

One of the most important things you can do for the Great Neck Choral Society is to bring in a new member. Persuade him or her to attend a concert, then turn on the charm.

Past Music Directors

Past Presidents

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