Member Handbook
2011 ~ 2012
Member Handbook
2011 ~ 2012
Welcome to the Alamo City MenÕs Chorale
We are delighted to have
you with us for this our 25th anniversary season. We are excited
about this milestone year and we deeply appreciate your contribution of time
and talent to the Chorale. To our
new members, we extend a special welcome to our proud musical family. We trust that your association with the
Alamo City MenÕs Chorale will be a long, memorable, and enjoyable experience.
The mission of the Alamo
City MenÕs Chorale is to promote an inclusive and diverse musical environment
through its repertoire, membership, and audience. The activities of the Alamo City MenÕs
Chorale are governed by by-laws and a Policies and Procedures Manual which will
be provided to members upon request and are available at the ACMC website: www.acmc-texas.org or within the LINKS section
of the ACMC Yahoo Groups.
Membership Levels
As a community chorus, ACMC
membership is open to all men age 18 or older who pass a simple vocal placement
hearing, pay dues and attend rehearsals and performances regularly. There are currently three categories of
membership in ACMC as listed in the By-laws.
Singing Members: These are performing members
(excluding paid staff members) who keep membership dues current, attend regular
rehearsals and performances, and comply with current By-laws and Policies and
Procedures. Singing members have all the rights of membership set forth in the
By-laws.
Associate Members: These are dues paying members who,
due to extenuating circumstances, do not perform with the chorale. Singing
members who have paid dues, but take a leave of absence automatically become
Associate Members. Associates have all the rights of membership set forth in
the By-laws.
Lifetime Members: These are members, either singing or
associate, who have ceased active participation in AMC, but, due to their
length of membership and their overall contributions, (time, money, hard work,
participation, community involvement, etc.) are granted lifetime membership by
a majority vote of the membership at the annual business meeting.
Membership dues help provide some of the
operational funding for the Chorale. Membership dues are $100 annually ($50 per
semester.) These dues are to be paid by:
– The last rehearsal in
September – if paying annually.
– The last rehearsals in
September and January - if paying semi-annually. Installment payments can be arranged
with the Vice-President on an individual basis. Payment of dues is required to
participate in Chorale performances.
If you are in need of financial
assistance to pay your dues, please see the Chorale Vice President for
alternative arrangements. The
inability to pay dues should not be an obstacle to participation. Special arrangements can be made with
the Board of Directors through the Vice-President for financial
assistance. Financial inability to
pay dues does not exclude anyone from joining the Chorale; however payment of
dues does entitle our members to perform and to vote at general membership
meetings that determine the future of our organization.
The ACES (Alamo City Ensemble
Singers) is a group (12-16) of ACMC singing members. They have a dual purpose of representing
the ACMC in the community and raising additional funds for the Chorale. They are available for hire for weddings
or other private services, parties, celebrations, and other events throughout
our area. They also volunteer to
sing at community events, and fund raisers at which participation by the full
chorale is impossible due to venue, schedule conflicts, etc. Membership is open
to all singing members. Interested members must contact the Artistic Director or
its board liaison in the chorale and be auditioned. The group rehearses every Sunday evening
from 5-8:00 pm and must commit to more frequent performances as the needs
arise.
Participation in the Chorale provides
a rewarding opportunity to meet and socialize with fellow singers, but we ask
that this socializing be enjoyed before and after rehearsals and during breaks.
Because our concert schedule is full, our goal is to learn our music early in
the rehearsal period prior to each performance. This requires the complete and
undivided attention of every member. Although the Artistic Director may elect
to perform some pieces with music in hand, most music will be performed from
memory.
ACMC rehearses every Tuesday from
7:00 – 10:00 pm at the Radius Building. Rehearsals begin promptly at 7:00
pm. There is a 10-15 minute break during the rehearsal for refreshments and
socializing. You must have a pencil
at every rehearsal and be prepared to make markings on your music denoting
breathing, releases, tempi, and other items as given by the Artistic Director. Do not mark music with anything other
than a pencil! To help in learning music and memorization, ACMC will provide
assistance in the form of sectional rehearsals and audio CDs.
The Chorale librarian will issue the
music for a concert to each singing member. This music is on loan and members
may be asked to sign for it.
Members are responsible for each piece of music that has been issued and
are asked to maintain the music in good condition. Each member is responsible
for his own music. Members are
encouraged to make appropriate markings or instructions in their music but must
not mark music with anything other than a pencil! Please do not make any markings in INK
and DO NOT USE HIGHIGHTERS. Each
member is asked to provide a black three-ring binder to keep music in order and
good condition. The binder may be used for some concert performances at the
Artistic DirectorÕs discretion.
Members who decide to leave the Chorale for any reason must notify their
Section Leader or the Vice-President and promptly return all music to the
Chorale Librarian.
Each section provides refreshments
for breaks. Each member is
encouraged to contribute during their sectionÕs assigned weeks. Section leaders will remind members and coordinate
when necessary. Sections provide
refreshments on the following rotating schedule:
First
Tuesday — First Tenors
Second
Tuesday — Second Tenors
Third
Tuesday — Baritones
Fourth
Tuesday — Basses
Fifth
Tuesday — Board of Directors
It has been our experience that even
one voice makes a difference in the sound we make as a Chorale. Therefore, we
require regular and consistent attendance and request your adherence to the
following attendance policies.
When, for any reason, a member must be absent for more than three
rehearsals during the preparation period for any concert or needs to be absent
for any rehearsal during the week prior to a concert, he must contact the
Artistic Director, by phone, email, or by other written communication. The Artistic
Director will determine whether or not the member will be able to perform in
the concert and will advise the member and the vice president of his
decision. The Artistic Director, in
consultation with the Vice-President, can make exceptions to the above policies
if a member must be absent under extenuating circumstances. The Artistic Director, in consultation
with the Vice-President, may dismiss from a concert any member who has not
attended a sufficient number of rehearsals prior to a concert. Attendance is taken by
the section leaders. If you encounter any conflicts with the rehearsal
schedule, please contact the Artistic Director or Vice-President. They will try
to work with your schedule as much as possible.
Standard Dress: Dress for most concerts is a
traditional, black tuxedo with a white tuxedo shirt, black tie, black socks,
and black dress shoes with minimal jewelry. Small earrings, rings, and watches
may be worn. ACMC owns black, red, and Texas flag bow ties and cummerbunds,
which may be loaned to members as needed just prior to each concert.
Special Concerts: Dress for special community
appearances varies and will be announced prior to the event.
Recommended Purchases: It is highly recommended that each
member purchase his own tuxedo. They will be used an average of 5 times a
year. Purchasing one will prove
less costly than renting. Suggested sources are tuxedo rental locations, second
hand stores or retailers such as Barry Manufacturing, Burlington Coat Factory
and others. However, if you cannot afford a tuxedo, please contact the Vice
President/President for assistance in obtaining one through the Board of
Directors. This should not be reason for leaving the Chorale.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Each member is asked to have a pair
of khaki pants, a pair of black dress slacks, and a black belt. Each member is
required to purchase an official Chorale Polo shirt, which is available at any
rehearsal.
PLEASE REFRAIN from wearing cologne
or other fragrances to rehearsals and particularly to performances. The
combination of various fragrances can be overwhelming to some members and may
trigger allergies.
TEXT TEXT TEXT (Dec, March, June) – two performances / dress
rehearsalÉ
Communicating with One Another
E-mail addresses that are acquired
through the Membership Directory are to be used only for official Chorale
business only, unless you have the memberÕs approval to communicate with them
privately. E-mail is an acceptable
form of communication for meeting notices, committee reports, weekly rehearsal
information, concert information and Chorale recreational activities. Concerns may be communicated in the form
of e-mail, but should be addressed directly to the Board Chair or President
ONLY, not to the general membership. The e-mailÕs purpose is for resolution of
a concern. All e-mails will be addressed at the next regularly scheduled Board
Meeting. If you do not have e-mail
service at home, it can be arranged through your local library. Check with your
employer to see if you may use your business account for ACMC communications.
http://acmc-texas.org
TEXT, TEXT, TEXT
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alamo-City-Mens-Chorale/114091891937325
(Pubic Group)
http://www.facebook.com/groups/Acmcmembership/
(Private Group)
TEXT, TEXT, TEXT
http://yahoo.groups/acmcmembership
There is a Yahoo Group set up for all
members of ACMC. The purpose is to aid in communication about all Chorale
events and information. Sections
include:
Messages
– A place to send messages to
the group as a whole. Please keep
these related to Chorale business as much as possible. Messaging is on an
approval basis to prevent spammers from entering the site.
Calendar
– Handles all events and
meetings. It automatically notifies you of any event or change in an event two
times prior to the event. You can log on and see whatÕs coming up and what you
might need to prepare for.
Photos – This section allows us to
post pictures of each other for reference but also of events that have taken
place. ItÕs a great place to exchange memories of the fun times with the
Chorale.
Files – If a document needs to be
posted for the Chorale youÕll find it here. This might include our By-laws,
this handout, membership rosters, and other Chorale related documents. So if
you ever lose one or need to refer back they are always here.
Links – Connections we make in our
community and around the San Antonio area. A great place to
place a link for everyone to know about. You have to join Yahoo to become a
member but thereÕs nothing to it and itÕs free. You will never even have to use
the Yahoo bio if you donÕt want. After joining go to the link below and join
the group! ItÕs that simple. Then, take a tour and explore the inner workings
of ACMC.
On June 22, 1987, the
founders of the Alamo City MenÕs Chorale (ACMC) had their first meeting in the
dining room of Papa BearÕs Tavern. The ChoraleÕs first rehearsal occurred on
August 24 in the Arden Grove Party House with an original 31 men joining the
newly formed organization. Since then, the Chorale has moved through many
cycles of growth and change. What
has not changed is the ChoraleÕs commitment to providing its audiences with
quality music in a wide variety of styles and genres and being a positive
expression of the GLBT community to the San Antonio community-at-large. The ChoraleÕs performance season
typically runs from the beginning of September through the end of June and
includes three major concerts as well as numerous other appearances throughout
the community.
ACMC is a proud member of
the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA). In 1996, the Chorale
performed at the quadrennial international festival of GALA Choruses in Tampa,
Florida and on July 28, 2000, gave a stunning performance at GALA Choruses
Festival 2000 in San Jose, California. ACMCÕs program, which included four
songs that are included on its first CD, evoked five standing ovations from
singers representing more than 130 choral groups from Europe and North America.
The chorale also attended the 7th GALA Festival in
Montreal, Canada in July 2004 where it performed brilliantly in a varied
program to an audience of over 2000 international singers and conductors from
throughout the world.
The Alamo City MenÕs
Chorale is funded (in part) by a grant from the City of San Antonio Department
of Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Texas Commission on the Arts. The rest of
its operating expenses are covered by ticket sales, ad sales, fund raising
events, and individual contributions from our members and supporters. To
sustain the organization each member is asked to help with fund raising events
since this benefits the Chorale as well as the individual members. Without each
personÕs individual contribution of time the Choral could not exist.
In June 2001, the Chorale recorded
its first official CD, titled Alamo City MenÕs Chorale. It was publicly
released in December 2001 to an excellent response. Then, in the fall of 2006 a
new Holiday CD, Jingle, Jangle, Jazz, was recorded under the direction
of Dr. Joey Martin. Both are on sale in our office and at all performances of
the Chorale. Recordings and video DVDs of all concerts are made for sale to the
Chorale members.
In the last few years, ACMC has won
the following local awards:
1996
Heart of the Community Award, Hispanic AIDS Committee
1996 Outstanding Service to the
Lesbian and Gay Community, SA Black Tie Dinner
2002 Trustees Award of Appreciation,
Alamo Area Resource Center
2003 Best GLBT Organization, Texas
Triangle Roundup Awards
2003 SIZZLE Best Fundraiser, Texas
Triangle Roundup Awards
2004 Best GLBT Organization, Texas
Triangle Roundup Awards
2004 SIZZLE Best Fundraiser, Texas
Triangle Roundup Awards
2004 First Place Float, San Antonio
Gay Pride Parade
2007 HRC Community Award
Key Policies & Procedures of the Organization
The Alamo City MenÕs Chorale is
governed by a Board of Directors made up of six singing members and five
non-singing members elected by the general membership at the annual membership
meeting held in June. The members serve alternating 2 year
terms, so approximately half of the board membersÕ terms end each July. The
President, Vice President, and Secretary are singing members on the board and
the Treasurer is a non-singing member.
These four officers along with the Board Chair comprise an executive
committee with limited powers for decision-making between regular board
meetings. Board meetings are held
on the first Thursday of each month at the Radius Building or other location that
will be announced in advance. A
30-minute period near the beginning of the meeting is set aside for comments
from members or other interested parties. Any member may address the board for
five minutes with concerns, suggestions, or general comments. These comments may be discussed by the
board immediately or be taken up at a later meeting. All board meetings are
open to the public.
It is the policy of ACMC to provide
an environment free from all forms of harassment, whether based on sex, race,
color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship status, age,
or disability. For the purposes of this policy, the term harassment includes,
but is not limited to, unwelcome slurs, jokes, comments, and other verbal,
graphic or physical conduct relating to another individual. Sexual harassment may be defined as any
unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and/or other verbal or
physical conduct of a sexual nature to another individual.