Dear BCC Membership,
I hope you've had a restful summer and are ready to get back to making music! Registration for the new BCC season will be August 18 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the "glass room" at Briarwood Presbyterian Church on the second floor immediately to the right of the stairs. Please arrive early to register so rehearsal can begin at 7:00 p.m.
The BCC Board met August 4 and determined rising costs in maintaining the Chorale will require dues for the upcoming season to be raised to $80. Keep in mind that the director's salary has been raised and although we expect to obtain some funding from the ASO, we still have to cover our costs. You will have the option of paying the entire amount at registration or may elect to pay half ($40) that evening with the balance due by November 3.
We will be using online computers to facilitate registration this year, so you will only need to verify your information, purchase (if needed) a new Messiah score for $10, pick up your additional music (no charge) and pay your dues. In future seasons we hope members will be able to register online prior to the first rehearsal.
Please take a few moments and review our updated Member Handbook at this link on our website: www.concertchorale.org/addendum/handbook_6-08.PDF, also available on the Member Info page. Remember, when you are paying your dues you are agreeing to abide by the guidelines set forth in the Handbook and it's your responsibility to know them.
At our first rehearsal we will welcome our new director, Philip Copeland, and he will take a few minutes to discuss his exciting plans for the BCC. In the short time Philip has been our director, I have had several conversations with him and can tell you he has some wonderful ideas. For one, we want to minimize our use of paper in communications. Those of you that have recently visited www.concertchorale.org will note we now have a Chorale blog found on the Member Info page also accessible at http://concertchorale.blogspot.com/ . Philip intends to use the blog and a Google calendar to communicate on a regular basis with the membership. I know to some this may sound a little techie, but Philip will explain it all in detail and assist those who may have questions. It is an excellent way to keep us up-to-date and maximize rehearsal time for singing rather than lengthy announcements. The more familiar schedule format is still maintained and available 24/7 at the website in both web format and a printable PDF for those who like to keep a hard copy handy.
At our second rehearsal (August 25) we will have a social for our membership (food!) during an extended break. We are expecting 25-30 new members this season, and ask for "old-timers" to be sure and take time to welcome the newcomers. Make it a point to meet someone new every week... it's a great way to build the team!
We also have 3-4 positions coming open on the Chorale Board for the upcoming season. Details regarding serving on the Board are described in the Member Handbook. If you are interested in serving, please respond back to us via email at concertchorale@yahoo.com . We will have an election for new board members before the next board meeting (September 8), so please let us know of your interest as soon as possible.
Many exciting things are in the works with the BCC. Philip and your Board have some great ideas to strengthen and encourage our membership. For starters, keep an open mind regarding alternative concerts. We are now looking at a possible fall concert with UAB that would include a portion of Carmina Burana. We are also exploring a spring "thank you concert" for Briarwood Presbyterian Church. We need to show our appreciation to Briarwood for the use of their wonderful facilities year after year. Both of these will be added to our schedule if and when confirmed.
Our relationship with the ASO continues to improve. Those who attended the BCC director's audition noticed that both Justin Brown AND Christopher Confessore were present. I think that speaks very well of the ASO's interest in the BCC. Justin and the ASO simply want the BCC to be the best we can be. The ASO also has a new Executive Director, Curt Long. Curt was the Executive Director for the Dayton Symphony Orchestra for 14 years. Philip and I recently met with Curt and discussed how the ASO and BCC can work best together. Curt was very clear in his goals to improve the ASO for both the short and long term, as well as continuing to strengthen the ASO/BCC ties.
Please allow me to thank each member of the BCC for your hard work and dedication in the past. You are appreciated for faithfully attending rehearsals and performing well at our concerts. I think we are going to have a great season this year and one every member will enjoy.
Thanks for being a part of the BCC. See you August 18!
Dan Bell
Board President
Birmingham Concert Chorale
P.O. Box 26441
Birmingham, AL 35260-0441
