A Year in the Life of the Chapel Choir

September, 2006 to June, 2007

From the Senior Pastor:

I write this letter to you during the beautiful days of summer. It is my favorite season of the year. However, worship always feels like it is missing something. At 9:30, the something that is missing is the Chapel Choir. They bring a spirit and joy to worship that is infectious. Our congregation loves to watch them process; their faces break into smiles as the choir begins to sing its anthem. Our Chapel Choir is a blessing week after week in worship.

The music, their shared faith and long standing Chapel Choir traditions strengthen the thread that binds these members to each other. A stroll down the hallway leading to Chapel Hall highlights the history of the tours. The Choir has visited many churches and traveled to many cities, including: Denver, St. Simon’s Island, Pensacola, Toronto, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Hilton Head, New York City, Myrtle Beach, Disney World, New Orleans, Atlanta, Washington D.C. and Boston. Each trip continues the traditions of the previous trips….hence there unbroken thread binding them together.

In many ways, our youth serve as ambassadors for First Church each year when they go on Tour. They do so with deep faith; wonderful commitment and an infectious spirit. They make us proud.

The adult chaperones work very hard behind the scenes. They are present for each and every rehearsal on Wednesday nights. They organize the myriad of details necessary for the Choir to go on tour. They play, laugh and cry with the youth. The program could not function without them. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

We also have four staff who work very diligently with the Choir. Their Director, Belford Hernandez, is dynamic, talented and has an enthusiasm that is infectious. His wife, Vielza provides excellent accompaniment. Pastor Nick Nicholas provides a strong spiritual component for the youth. Andi Kinsella, our Music Coordinator, keeps them organized and efficient.

The Choir is a marvelous ministry which touches the lives of many people every week. I thank God for the members of Chapel Choir and the adults who work so hard in support of this ministry of music.

Debbie Fisher
Senior Pastor

Goals of the Chapel Choir

What is Chapel Choir all about? There are several things we want to accomplish this year.

1. Share our faith in Jesus Christ through our music and witness to our faith by our music and our actions.
2. Learn to participate in the leading of a Worship Service.
3. Grow in our music skills through our rehearsal and performance schedule.
4. Develop new relationships within our own group.
5. Deepen our fellowship and spirit and develop a faith that grows daily.
6. Learn to participate in and contribute to the group goals of a large, diversified group.

The Chapel Choir of First United Methodist Church is open to any high school youth who wishes to participate and agrees to follow the policies in this handbook. Signing of the Covenant form by both the youth and a parent is required for registration in the Chapel Choir.

Chapel Choir Covenant

A Covenant is a two-way promise in which each party has responsibility toward the other party. In the Bible, God makes a Covenant with the Israelites in which God agrees to be their God and to love and care for them. In return, the people agree to honor God in their words and actions.

We ask choir members and parents to Covenant with each other, with the Adult Leaders of the Choir, and with the Church, in order to build relationships that will benefit everyone involved.

Choir members are expected to accept responsibility for their own actions, to act responsibly, to think about consequences, to represent the group in a positive light, to respect fellow choir members and the adult leaders, to endeavor to treat fellow choir members and adult leaders as they would like to be treated. They also agree they have an obligation to their family and the church not to engage in any harmful or negative activity.

They promise not to use and or have in their possession any tobacco materials of any kind, alcoholic beverages, or illegal non-prescription drugs.

Violation of the Covenant may result in expulsion from Chapel Choir.

Parents will also be asked to sign the Covenant.

Communications

We want to provide current and ongoing communications about choir activities to youth and parents. This will be done both electronically by e-mail and through the mail. Youth and parents will be asked to keep Adult Leaders aware of any e-mail or address changes.

In addition, two special Chapel Choir phone extensions will be available through the regular church phone number 968-7120.

1. Call 968-7120, ext. 2017 to hear updated Information about choir events and activities. This will be extremely important in regard to the Christmas Concert and Tour.
2. Call the Attendance Line 968-7120 ext. 2027 to leave a Message for the Adult Leaders, especially if you are going to be late or absent from rehearsal or Sunday worship.

Rehearsal

A. Days and Time

Each Wednesday evening, commencing September 6, rehearsal begins and attendance is taken at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Rehearsal will be dismissed no later than 8:45 p.m. (depending on time required for joys and concerns) but may run later the few weeks prior to the Christmas Concert and Tour. Youth and parents will be notified of schedule changes.
Sunday morning warm-up begins at 9:00 a.m. to prepare for 9:30 worship. Sunday rehearsals continue directly after service until 12:30 p.m. with the exception of any special rehearsals.
Please do not leave the building between service and rehearsal; food will be provided.

B. Schedule Conflicts

All choir members and/or their parents are asked to communicate any conflicts they have with arriving on time by using the Chapel Choir message line (968-7120, ext. 2027), as soon as they are aware of the conflict.

C. Signing In/Out

If a youth needs to arrive late, it is his/her responsibility to check-in with the adults taking roll, so that he/she can be counted present. If, on occasion, a youth needs to leave early, we require him/her to sign-out and personally notify an adult leader. Parent(s) will be contacted if a youth is habitually arriving late or leaving early.

D. Behavior

Because our group is so large and rehearsal time is so limited, we ask for cooperation and respect from all youth during rehearsals. This will allow the choir director to maximize the use of time and help ensure rehearsals ends on time. We ask four (4) things of all choir members while in rehearsal:

1. Everyone is to sit within their voice section's part. The Director may move people as needed.
2. Everyone is expected to stay in rehearsal once he/she arrives.
3. Show respect to the director and adult leaders by paying attention and keeping unnecessary talking to a minimum.
4. There should be no gum or food during rehearsal. Water will be provided.

E. Rehearsal Discipline

We expect all youth to cooperate and hope that no dismissal discipline action will be necessary. After two disciplinary dismissals, any further action will be handled on an individual basis. Parents will be contacted by the Choir Director or Adult Leaders if any chronic discipline problems arise. Any parent concerns should be brought to one of the Adult Leaders.

F. Music Assignments

Each Chapel Choir member is assigned a folder and music slot. Each member is responsible for keeping music up to date and his/her folder neat.

G. To Parents

Please contact Belford Hernandez or an Adult Leader if you have any concerns about your son/daughter's Chapel Choir experience.

Sunday Morning Worship

A. Arrival Time

The Chapel Choir normally sings at the 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. Choir members are expected to be ready to warm-up no later than 9:00 a.m.

B. Dress

Ladies and gentlemen should wear dress shoes. Jeans or gym shoes, or flip flops are not acceptable. The dress code is as follows:
Ladies: skirts, sweaters, dresses or dress pants. Blouses or dresses that are backless, strapless, off-the-shoulder, or reveal navels, are not appropriate. Remember that this is a worship service. Be conscious of your skirt length and tight fitting slacks, blouses and sweaters.
Gentlemen: dress shirt, slacks and tie. Jackets are optional and sweaters are acceptable.

C Special Services

The Chapel Choir has a cooperative relationship with the Chancel Choir and will occasionally sing at both the 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Worship Services, or switch services, singing at the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service. These dates are chosen early in the year, but are subject to change. Choir members will be notified of changes either verbally, by mail or on the choir information line (968-7120, ext. 2017).

Christmas Concerts

The Christmas Concerts and Tour Home Concert are the two major Chapel Choir musical events held annually. The sale of admission tickets to the Christmas Concerts helps offset costs of the Tour. Participation in this concert is expected for all Chapel Choir members. This year, the concerts will be presented on Sunday, December 10 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Special rehearsals will be held most Sundays from 10:45 a.m. -12:30 p.m. beginning October 1. Refreshments will be provided and youth are requested not to leave the church following the 9:30 service. Check the calendar for tentative dates. If needed, a extra rehearsal may be added Friday, December 8 from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. A dress rehearsal will be held Saturday, December 9. Appropriate dress will be announced later this fall.

Spring Break Tour Preview

| 36th Annual Spring Break Tour |

A. General Attendance Rules

The Chapel Choir tour is designed to build fellowship, motivate and encourage commitment and "reward" those who have faithfully served our congregation during the year. Therefore, regular attendance at all rehearsals and Sunday worship services is expected for those planning to participate on the tour. Repeated absences may disqualify a youth from participating. If you are going to be late or absent, call 968-7120, ext. 2027 and leave a message prior to a rehearsal or worship service. If you have a regular activity that presents an ongoing conflict, please talk to an Adult Leader.
Attendance will be a factor in determining eligibility for tour and special singing and speaking parts.

B. Dates and Destination

The 2007 tour destination will be the Wilmington, NC. We will leave Saturday, March 24 and return Saturday, March 31.

C. Tour Kick-Off Party

A Tour Kick-off Party will be held on Sunday, January 14.

D. Tour Concerts

Before and after the tour, there are three (3) concerts: 1) a pre-tour concert and 2) two home concerts. All Choir members are urged to sing in these concerts, even those who may not be going on tour.

The 2007 pre-tour concert will be held Sunday, March 18. The home concerts will be at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 1.

E. Cost of Tour

The exact cost of tour will be finalized after the Tour Kick-off Party in January, when the number of youth planning to participate is determined.

F. Financial Support

It is our desire that NO ONE be excluded from the tour for financial reasons. Every year there are youth who go on tour with a "partial scholarships." An Application Form is available at the Church (obtain from Tour Director) for those needing financial assistance. Applications are confidential.

G. Fee Schedule

A non-refundable $100 tour deposit will be due at the January 14 Tour Kick-off party. This deposit will be refunded to any youth who is unable to participate in the tour for medical reasons or a family emergency. All tour fees will be due no later than Wednesday, March 6.

H. Commitment Deadline for Non-Refundable Deposit

We need a firm commitment from youth who intend to participate, preferably by the Tour Kick-off Party on January 14.

I. Tour Program

The 2007 Tour program will be produced after the first of the year.

J. Tour Booklet

Prior to leaving on tour, a booklet containing information on tour stops, emergency information, behavior guidelines and free day activities will be mailed to all parents and given to all youth.

K. Crews

Student groups play an important role in our tour travel and performance. Every choir member will be on a crew. Sign-up will take place at the Tour Kick-off party on January 14, except the furniture, tech, light and sound crews. They will be determined in the fall since members of those crews will be required for the Holiday Concerts and practices.

L. Auditions

Auditions for special speaking and singing parts in the tour program will be held by the Choir Director with assistance from the adult leaders.

M. Housing

Youth will sign-up for tour roommates beginning at the tour kick-off party on January 14.

Choir Banquet

An end-of-the-year Chapel Choir Banquet will be held on May 9. It will celebrate the activities and accomplishments of the year and recognize seniors. The cost of the banquet is included in the tour fee.

Fundraising

The Olduna Cow Works Party and Holiday Concerts are the two major annual events for tour fundraising. Participation in both these events is required for all youth going on tour.

A. Olduna Cow Works

This party provides adults an opportunity to enjoy great food and special entertainment and get to know other members and friends in a social setting. It will be held Saturday, September 23 at the home of Don & Caryl Safford. Nearly $30,000 has been raised in the previous nine years this event has been held. Chapel Choir youth are expected to help with set-up, clean-up, and writing of thank you notes. Parents are encouraged to attend and bring friends.

B. Holiday Concerts

Participation in the Holiday Concerts and their preparation are expected of all Chapel Choir members, whether or not they participate on Tour. All youth are required to sell tickets for the concerts, or donate to the Tour Fund the cost of the tickets. The total value of each ticket a choir member sells goes directly into their account.