INTRODUCTION:

• Oberlin Choristers is a non-profit organization serving over 500 children from northern Ohio annually. Founded by Katherine Plank in 1990, Oberlin Choristers provides a community choral music experience for children in Kindergarten - 12th grades. Through rehearsals and performances young singers develop listening and reading skills, a sense of teamwork and community, and an appreciation for the voice as a musical instrument.
• Each choir performs in at least three major concerts each year. Every season brings opportunities for a variety of informal programs at schools, libraries, and social events. Repertoire encompasses secular and sacred works in classical, folk, and contemporary styles.

MISSION STATEMENT:

• The mission of the Oberlin Choristers is to provide the highest quality choral music education and performance opportunities to the culturally and economically diverse children and youth of Northern Ohio.
  

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:

• Membership in the Oberlin Choristers is open to any child meeting age and audition requirements, regardless of gender, race or creed.

CURRICULUM:

• Concepts about music (melody, rhythm, harmony, timbre, dynamics, form, style, and tempo) and musical skills (singing, theory, sight reading, partwork, memory, etc.) are taught through the rehearsal of excellent choral repertoire, using a variety of singing, listening, and movement activities. Performances provide the opportunity to develop skills in sensitive and confident artistic expression.

COMMITMENT:

• Enrollment in Oberlin Choristers is for the full choir season and each member is expected to remain active and committed to the program for the entire year. If an extremely unusual circumstance occurs which would prohibit a singer from honoring that commitment, a personal conference between the Director and parents will be required before submitting a letter of resignation. If a student resigns, the parent is still responsible for the entire tuition fee. Written requests for a waiver of this policy will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
  

REGISTRATION AND RE-ENROLLMENT:

• Current Choristers receive information about re-enrollment for the following season in the spring semester.
• Prospective new Choristers are recruited throughout the year and are sent specific audition or registration materials in April and May. Inquiries about joining Choristers are welcomed at any time during the year. Call the Choristers office at (440) 774-4079, or email: ochoristers@oberlin.net

REHEARSALS:

• Membership in the Oberlin Choristers is a commitment to consistent and punctual attendance. It is expected that rehearsals take a high priority in each child's life and each family's schedule. Each rehearsal includes the sequential presentation of important skills and song repertoire. Singers who miss rehearsals will rapidly fall behind and will not be prepared for performances.
• All singers are expected to arrive for rehearsal at least five minutes prior to the scheduled rehearsal start time. Rehearsals begin promptly at their start times, and frequent tardiness will be addressed.
• Do not arrive for rehearsals earlier than fifteen minutes before the start time for your choir.
• All singers must use the stairs, not the elevator.
• Do not run up or down the stairs.
• Singers and families should be respectful of other organizations making use of other spaces in the rehearsal building
  
• Hats may not be worn during rehearsals.
• Uniforms are not worn for regular or "dress" rehearsals, only for performances (unless otherwise directed.)
• No food or beverage (other than water) is permitted in the rehearsal room.
• Gum chewing is strictly forbidden.
• Singers are to check in with their Choir Coordinator before entering the rehearsal room.
• All forms, payments, etc. to be turned in are to be given to the Choir Coordinator at check-in time. Please do not hand these items to the Choir Director.
• We encourage observers and guests at most Choristers rehearsals, and parents are especially encouraged to observe their singer's rehearsal at least once or twice a semester.
• Please pick your children up promptly at the end of rehearsals.
• When a singer must miss a rehearsal because of illness or an unavoidable conflict, call the Choristers office or email the choir coordinator no later than one hour before rehearsal begins.
• Singers who miss 4 rehearsals in one semester may be asked to forfeit their position in the choir to a singer on the waiting list. Some choir directors may decide to schedule make-up rehearsals. Families will be notified of make-up rehearsals at the start of the choir season.

SCHOOL SNOW DAYS, IN-SERVICE DAYS, MISC. HOLIDAYS AND VACATIONS:

• Choristers rarely cancels a rehearsal due to weather conditions. You may assume that rehearsal will take place as usual.  An email will be sent to each choir family at a preassigned time if unplanned events make it necessary to cancel a rehearsal or concert. If in doubt, please call the Choristers office.
• In almost all cases, Choristers rehearsals occur even when your singer happens to have a day off from school due to a teacher in-service or conference day, holiday or vacation day.

DISCIPLINE POLICY:

• All singers and parents should understand that professional and respectful behavior is always expected of Choristers members whether in rehearsal, at a performance or when traveling. Because of the extremely wide age range of Choristers singers, discipline problems are dealt with on an age-appropriate, case-by-case basis by the singer's Choir Director and Choristers staff.

PERFORMANCES:

• Each singer's attendance is required at all performances in which their choir is scheduled to sing.
• Oberlin Choristers strives to present excellently prepared, professional concerts. Families should consider carefully if younger siblings are able to remain quiet and attentive throughout a concert before planning to bring them.
• No cameras or recording equipment of any kind is allowed at Choristers Concerts unless otherwise informed.
• A paid admission ticket is necessary for most Choristers concerts. Information about purchasing concert tickets is distributed well before the concert date.
• A singer who fails to dress in the proper uniform for a performance will not be allowed to participate. Each singer must follow the guidelines for his/her choir's uniforms, distributed each year to every Choristers family.
• Hair must be groomed away from face, with no visible hair ornaments.
• No visible jewelry is allowed (necklaces, bracelets, anklets, watches, etc.) No dangling earrings, studs only.

UNIFORMS:

• Detailed uniform information is distributed at parent meetings each Fall.
  
• Choristers-owned items: The uniform items loaned by Choristers (vests and ties) are handed out to the singers at a rehearsal during the fall semester. Each family is responsible for these Choristers-owned items for the entire season.
• They will be collected after the final performances in the spring. (There is a charge assessed for non-return of these items.)
• Formal Fashions: Uniform items from the Formal Fashions Company must be ordered in bulk by the Chorister office. Each singer's account is billed for the appropriate items, and all parts of the uniform belong to the singer.
• Schoolbelles: Uniform items from the Schoolbelles Company are ordered by and paid for directly by each singer's family. These items are owned by the singer.

MUSIC FOLDERS:

• Music folders are issued to singers (in Harmony Choir, Concert Choir, Touring Choir and Youth Chorale only) at the beginning of each semester and collected at the end of each semester.
• A $50.00 fee will be assessed for the non-return of a music folder.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Oberlin Choristers requires each member to pay certain fees based upon individual choir assignment.

• A non-refundable deposit is due when a singer registers. This deposit is subtracted from the total yearly tuition fee.
• A $10.00 sibling discount (for tuition) is available to families who have more than one child in Oberlin Choristers.
• You will receive a statement of your account in August. The statement will include unpaid charges for tuition and (in some cases) uniforms.
• All fees are due by September 30th of the registration year.
• You may set up a monthly payment plan, in which case all payments are due by December 31 of the registration year. There is a $3.00/month charge for any outstanding balances after Sept. 30th. You must call the office to set up such a plan.
• Registration is considered a commitment, and you are required to pay tuition for the entire year even if your child drops out of the program. Written requests for a waiver of this policy will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Non-payment of fees may jeopardize a member's place in the choir as well as their part on any tour.
• Please pay by check and make check payable to Oberlin Choristers. Place singer's name on every check and state the purpose of the payment.
• Choristers is charged a bank fee for each check returned to us due to insufficient funds. This fee will be assessed to the family.
• All unpaid balances must be paid in full before registration for another season.
• Financial aid is available. (Explanation follows)
• Other fees may be imposed throughout the year for such things as day trips and social events. You may also buy CD's and DVD's of concerts, concert tickets and fund-raisers through the Choristers Office.

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION:

• Oberlin Choristers is dedicated to promoting musical interest and participation in the youth population of northern Ohio. Knowing that this population is economically diverse, we are committed to providing adequate funding and equitable distribution of said funds to eligible families. All families receive a financial aid application with the registration materials. To apply for financial aid, please follow these guidelines:
• Completed financial aid applications should be returned to the Choristers office by June 30 of the registration year.
• Families are asked to honestly evaluate the amount of aid they are requesting, taking into account all Choristers fees.
• The non-refundable deposit cannot be covered by financial aid.
• A signed statement of financial position, copy of most recent tax return, copy of pay stubs or copy of most recent W-2 form must be submitted with the financial aid application.
• All requests will be treated with confidentiality by the Finance Committee.
• First priority will be given to families with greatest financial need, based upon Federal Poverty level guidelines as well as extenuating circumstances.
• Funds will be awarded for major choir expenses.
• Any financial aid available for tours will be awarded separately.

ITA's:

• Opportunities are available for families to participate in certain fund-raisers known as Individual Travel/Tuition Accounts (ITA's) which earn credits for their children's tuition or touring expenses.
• Detailed information about ITA opportunities is distributed yearly to every Choristers family.
• If you have an outstanding tuition or touring balance, ITA funds will be automatically credited to your child's account.
• ITA funds may only be used as credits for Choristers charges. They can never be used as cash.
• You may check on the status of your ITA account at any time by calling the office.
• ITA funds will be held for 18 months after your child's withdrawal from Choristers, after which ITA credits will be returned to the general fund.

VOLUNTEERISM:

• Parents are needed to serve in a wide variety of ways throughout the Choristers season: ushering at concerts, chaperoning singers, assisting with publicity distribution, office work, etc.
• Additionally, volunteer fund-raising provides needed operational funds and has enabled wonderful performance and travel opportunities for our children.
• Specific volunteer needs and other volunteer information is distributed yearly to every Choristers family.

FAMILY COMMUNICATION:

• Choristers uses email as the primary communications tool. Please call the office if your email changes
• Red folders are the secondary communications tool.
• Please look in your singer's red mail folder each week following their Choristers rehearsal.
• Paper announcements and reminders will come home in your child's red folder.
  
• Please call the Choristers office with any questions or concerns. Please leave messages on the phone answering service if no one is in the office when you call. We try to return calls as quickly as possible.
  
• The website is kept up to date and has a Google calendar with all events listed.
• Parent meetings are held at the beginning of each season.