2024-2025 Singer Agreement
TO BE READ, DISCUSSED, AND SIGNED BY SINGERS & THEIR LEGAL GUARDIANS
Schedule
Rehearsals: All rehearsals are at University United Methodist Church (UUMC)—2409 Guadalupe St., Austin, 78705
WEEKLY REHEARSALS—TUESDAYS, 5:30-7:00PM: January 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11, 18, 25; March 3, 4, 11, 25;
April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6. (No Rehearsal on 3/18—Spring Break!)DRESS REHEARSAL—TUESDAY, MAY 6, 5:30-8:30 PM: Mandatory!
Performance: FRIDAY, MAY 9, 7:00 PM @ UUMC
**PANO YOUTH will have an additional performance with the main choir, either on the weekend of May 31-June1 or June 7-8. We are negotiating a potential high-profile performance, and will have more information prior to the start of rehearsals in January 2025. For now, please make down both of these dates, and talk to your director if you have a conflict.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
We have 15 rehearsals this season, each one building upon the last in order to ensure that every singer feels prepared to make their best performance on May 9. While we know you have busy lives, only two absences are excused for the season. This is truly for your benefit—nothing is more discouraging than being lost or behind at rehearsal or performances, and the best way to stay caught up is just being present each week!
After two absences, the Director will reach out to make a plan with you and your parent/guardian to create a “catch-up” plan. Every situation is different, some possible solutions may include:
Sending in a recording of you working on the music at home or with a private teacher.
Coming early or staying late at a future rehearsal to make sure you’re caught up.
Singers who do not adhere to the attendance policy—or do not make a serious effort to catch up—may not be allowed to perform. When you do need to miss rehearsal, please send an email to sophie@panoramicvoices.org and give us a heads up. This helps make sure that we use rehearsal time wisely.
Rehearsal Conduct
Rehearsals are just 1.5 hours each week—Let’s make the most of the time!
COME PREPARED: Singers must bring their music to rehearsal each week. Looking over a friend's shoulder, or using a phone or extra copy, means you are not making markings in your music that you will need at future rehearsals and performances. Singers are expected to:
Bring their music.
Bring a pencil, or borrow one at the start of rehearsal.
Bring water as necessary.
STAY ENGAGED: We have singers of all experience levels from beginner to advanced—some of will learn the music quickly, some might take more time, but everyone can stay plugged in to rehearsal. We’ll go over these strategies in rehearsal, staying engaged can look like:
Point and track: Use your finger or your pencil to trace the sheet music.
Physicalize the music: Use solfege hand signs, trace the melody through the air, or tap the beat or rhythm quietly.
Sit or stand: You are always welcome to stand! If you feel yourself disengaging, try standing up behind your chair or pacing behind your section.
Take a quick reset: Sometimes you just need to reset; As your Director for a break, walk to the water fountain, grab a drink, and come back in less than a minute.
If staying engaged is really difficult for you, ask for help! Mx. V and Ms. Sophie can help you brainstorm ways to be successful!
Singers may not use their phones during rehearsal for any purpose other than audio-recording rehearsal for reference during home practice. Parents/Guardians of singers who are asked to put their phone away more than once will be contacted by the director.
Concert Etiquette
We will perform memorized—this frees up our eyes to watch the conductor and engage with the audience, and frees up our bodies to be expressive. Your Director will have helpful tools and tricks for learning your music, but for some singers, memorization may require some practice at home. We may designate specific rehearsal dates to “test” memorization for the group as a whole.
WHILE ON STAGE
Keep your eyes on the Director.
Do not chat or disengage between songs.
Perform the way we’ve practiced—when you’re prepared, the concert is the victory lap! Focus on what you want to communicate to the audience in every song, and let yourself enjoy the performance.
Singers will remain in the performance space for the duration of the concert. During any songs they’re not performing, singers have the opportunity to be attentive audience members. Stay seated in your designated spots, and save all your supportive comments and cheering until the end of the song.
Please leave your phone in your bag before the concert. Bags will be locked in the choir room for safekeeping.
Singers will wear choir t-shirts for the performance. More information about Panoramic Youth Shirts will be shared prior to the start of rehearsals in January, 2025.
COMMUNICATION
Singers must provide an active email address, and must agree to check it regularly for important rehearsal and performance information. Parents/Guardians will also receive important information by email, but it is the singer’s responsibility to read messages from their Director and respond as necessary.
On some occasions, the Director may contact singers or parents/guardians directly by phone call or text message.
Transportation
Families are responsible for singer transportation to and from all rehearsals and performances.
Please include in your singer registration form all adults who are approved to pick up singers from rehearsal, including emergency contacts! Rehearsals will end at 7 PM. If no one has arrived to pick-up a singer by 7:15, we will start calling emergency contact numbers.
Please contact the Director if you are running late so that we can make a plan to keep our singers safe and supervised!
