VERMONT CHORAL UNION
JEFFREY REHBACH, MUSIC DIRECTOR
Vermont Choral Union
Membership Guide
2013 - 2014
The Vermont Choral Union P.O. Box 5233 Essex Jct. Vermont 05453
info@vtchoralunion.org
www.vtchoralunion.org
GENERAL INFORMATION
About the Vermont Choral Union
The Vermont Choral Union is an auditioned group of 35 to 40 musicians, drawn from Burlington and surrounding
communities, renowned for its challenging repertoire and the high standards of its performances.
Mission
To provide a high quality musical environment for singers seeking a challenging and rewarding experience in
preparing and performing mostly a cappella music repertoire from Medieval times to the 21st Century, covering a
broad range of choral styles and languages. To provide audiences with exemplary performances which entertain,
delight and educate. History
The Vermont Choral Union was established in 1967. Originally known as the University of Vermont Choral Union,
the group was founded and directed by UVM Professor James G. Chapman until his retirement in 2004. It is the
area's longest-running choral group.
Over the past many years, the group has built an enviable reputation for its concerts throughout and beyond
Vermont. In addition, it has performed with the Craftsbury Chamber Players, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra,
the Vermont Mozart Festival, World Stage Concerts in Alice Tully Hall, New York City, and for the American Hospital
Association in Washington, DC.
The Choral Union completed a project of recordings featuring early Vermont composers who lived and worked in
Vermont during the years 1790-1810, including the works of Justin Morgan. This ten-year research project,
undertaken by Dr. James G. Chapman and Dr. Betty Bandel, resulted in four volumes of recordings with
companion music scores. These scores are still performed by choral groups wishing to sing authentic Early
American Music.
In 1983, in lieu of Christmas concerts, the Choral Union began to present Carol Dinners in the Southwick Ballroom
on the UVM campus. These costumed extravaganzas became very popular and were expanded to Rutland. The
success of the Dinners inspired three recordings: Music for a Carol Dinner, Vols. 1 and 2, and Welcome Yule.
These CD's are still available at Choral Union concerts presented during the holiday season. After twenty-one
sold-out years, the group decided to retire the Carol Dinners in 2003.
In June of 1995, the group toured England and France in conjunction with the commemoration of the 50th
Anniversary of the ending of WWII. An All-American memorized program was performed in such notable places as
Westminster Abbey, Covent Garden, Cambridge and Oxford Universities and Notre Dame Cathedral and Sacre
Coeur Basilica in Paris.
In 2005, the group, no longer associated with the University of Vermont, became the Vermont Choral Union. Mr.
Gary Moreau, noted music educator, soloist and former Choral Union member, became the group's second
director. He resigned in December 2010. Mrs. Carol Reichard. long time music director of St. James Episcopal
Church and the Colchester Community Chorus, served as guest conductor for the Spring 2011 session while the
selection process for a permanent music director was in progress.
Mr. Jeffrey Rehbach was selected by the Vermont Choral Union as Music Director in June 2011. Jeff, who has a
MA in musicology, has long been an active singer, conductor and worship musician in Vermont. Besides his
position with the Vermont Choral Union, he also conducts the Middlebury College Community Chorus, assists with
worship activities at Middlebury's Memorial Baptist Church and is well-known as the conductor of the annual
reading of Handel's Messiah at the Middlebury Congregational Church.
In the Fall of 2011, the Choral Union added a second, "out of town" performance to each semester's calendar. In
2012, the Choral Union received an Alfred Nash Patterson Grant from Choral Arts New England in support of the
Spring concert at Norwich University, Northfield, Vt. The Vermont Choral Union received a Vermont Arts Council
Grant for 2013-2014. This funding supported collaboration with Armand Messier, music teacher, BFA St. Albans
and his BFA chorus members. In addition to a master class with the students, conducted by Jeff Rehbach and
several VCU members, there was also a seasonal concert with the students at the BFA Performing Arts Center.
On September 22, 2013, the Vermont Choral Union performed in the Vermont Sings for Peace concert in
Montpelier, together with 4 other invited choirs.
In 2013, the Vermont Choral Union established the James G. Chapman Fund in honor of the late Professor James
G. Chapman, founder and long-time director of the Choral Union, who died on February 8, 2011. The purpose of
the fund is to support special projects and to underwrite the ongoing operations of the Vermont Choral Union, if
necessary. The VCU Board of Directors intends that the principal in the fund not be regularly applied to annual
expenditures.
The Vermont Choral Union continues in the tradition of excellence that Dr. Chapman instilled in its members. He
left a living legacy as the Choral Union, the group that he founded, conducted and composed for, approaches its
50th year.
REHEARSALS
Notes from the Director
It is an honor and a pleasure to work together studying and making incredible music together from across the
ages. We are a very special community music ensemble, since we principally focus on a cappella works. including
works of lesser known composers from the past and some of the newest writers of today.
We all lead busy, full lives and for a few short hours each week, those activities fade to the background as we
enjoy singing together. As we become comfortable with each other, it is good to share a bit of our lives so that we
can come to know and understand a bit about each other and appreciate all the more the wonder that comes
from making music together.
Most of us have some choral experience from other ensembles to draw upon. Our rehearsals at times may
resemble others you've been a part of, but frequently, offers a different approach. I hope that you come to
appreciate and understand choral music-making in ever new inspiring and intriguing ways.
The following information won't be new to the experienced singers who join the Vermont Choral Union, but we can
better build a community that shares the joy of music and singing if we start "on the same page" with some
common expectations.
Enhancing the Rehearsal Experience
• Check email regularly for announcements and updates throughout the week and just ahead of Rehearsal.
• Spend extra time on your own to learn texts and notes. Once a new piece is introduced, all notes should be
solid by the following week. A rehearsal CD will be provided to assist you. Other resources may be
recommended, such as YouTube videos or MIDI files. Few choristers can learn our challenging repertoire within
the time allotted for rehearsals. By learning the music outside, rehearsals can be devoted to shaping and
polishing the whole.
• Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated – and bring some to rehearsal
• Avoid wearing perfumes, colognes, or other scented products at rehearsals or performances; many people are
sensitive to fragrances.
• Arrive 5-10 minutes early, if possible, to
• Greet and catch up with each other.
• Help move tables and arrange chairs (and stay a few minutes afterward to help replace them.)
• Check whether there are any new scores to pick up.
• Make sure you have a pencil.
• Turn off cell phones and other devices.
• Look over music (the director will often alert us in advance as to which pieces we’ll focus on).
• Work out challenging sections with each other before rehearsal.
• Find your seat and be ready to sing by 7:00 p.m. or when the director starts warm ups. Think about how
warmups relate to the music we are learning.
• Basic courtesy applies ☺
• Give the director your full attention.
• Avoid disrupting rehearsal with private conversations or extraneous comments. However, it is OK, discreetly,
to point out and resolve discrepancies within your section.
• If you have questions or concerns during rehearsal, fell free to raise your hand – or see director before/after
rehearsal.
• Focus, even when your own section is not singing. Look over your part, study its text and notes and see how it
relates to other parts. Mark places you may need to focus on.
• Be supportive of one another. If you hear things that are amiss, never react negatively with facial expressions or
verbal exclamations. On the other hand, be ready to cheer success with a smile and a "good for you."
• Be patient with the music-shaping experience. At times, we may try things in a number of ways to see what
sounds best for our ensemble. Be prepared to sit/stand in different places at rehearsals and for performances.
Seating affects the group's sound and what choristers can hear.
• Practice reading ahead and looking up at the director as much as you can; trust yourself and your memory.
Although we seldom perform pieces from memory, the less you are “in” the music, the better we will sound
together.
• If you have difficulty with the music, do not hesitate to speak with the director and others in your section. You
may even suggest arranging a separate time for a sectional rehearsal.
• Let singing individually and collectively be all-encompassing of our minds, bodies, hearts, and souls!
__ Jeff Rehbach
Schedule
The Vermont Choral Union generally starts rehearsals for the Fall season in late summer or the Monday after Labor
Day at the latest, at the discretion of the Music Director. Rehearsals for the Spring season usually begin the
second Monday in January and continue until the concerts in April or May. Members can expect a dress rehearsal
before the concert. Additional rehearsals and workshops will be added at the discretion of the director.
Depending on performance obligations, rehearsals may be held over the holidays and in the early summer. Every
effort should be made by members to attend all rehearsals.
The Vermont Choral Union rehearses on Monday evenings from 7:00 - 9:15 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church in
Essex Junction. Rehearsals begin promptly at 7 p.m. A short break is usually taken during the rehearsal for a
chance to stretch, get water or for brief announcements.
Missed Rehearsals
Let Jeff Rehbach know well in advance when you know that you are going to miss a rehearsal due to an
unavoidable conflict.
In the case of illness or emergency, notify Jeff as early as possible and no later than 4PM on the day of rehearsal,
or by Thursday for any special weekend rehearsal that has been called. When you return to rehearsals, it is your
responsibility to ask a fellow section member for any new information regarding music markings or other changes
that you may have missed during your absence. If you have recovered somewhat from illness, but do not want to
use your voice, you are encouraged to attend the rehearsal, listen and take notes.
Dues
Dues are collected at the beginning of each concert season (September and January.) The 2013/14 dues are set
at $35.00 per person per season - $70.00 per year. Dues are subject to change from year to year. The money
collected through dues goes toward the operating expenses of the Choral Union.
Cancellation Policy
In the event of inclement weather requiring a cancellation of the rehearsal, every effort will be made to notify
members by 4PM.
Any time the weather makes safe driving questionable, please follow your own judgement about whether to attend
rehearsal or not , notifying Jeff by 4PM if possible.
PERFORMANCES
Schedule
The Vermont Choral Union performs at least two Burlington-area concerts a year, one in late November/early
December, the other in April or May. In addition, each prepared concert will usually also be performed at a venue
outside of Chittenden County. Other engagements may be add at the discretion of the group.
It has been a long-standing tradition for the Vermont Choral Union to Carol at Fletcher Allen Health Care on one of
the Monday evenings near Christmas. Participation in this activity is voluntary. (Scheduling conflicts necessitated
cancellation for the 2013-2014 season only.)
Concert Dress
Women
• Black ankle length skirt or dress, or black slacks
• Black top, 3/4 or full length sleeve, modest neckline
• Black hose
• Black closed toe shoes
• Simple jewelry, such as a gold or silver chain
• Seasonal accents, to be determined
Men
• Black tuxedo
• White shirt
• Black bow tie
• Black socks
• Black shoes
• Seasonal accents, to be determined
Scores
Arrange music in a black music folder or 3-ring binder. Practice turning pages quietly. Mark places where you
want to turn pages in advance. Minimize page-turn noise by clipping pages together, re-punching holes, or other
methods.
Use a soft pencil or erasable colored pencil to notate breath marks, dynamics, pronunciation, etc. All scores
(including photocopies) will be collected at the final concert of each semester. Please write your name on all
scores except those that are borrowed from other libraries. Do not erase your markings, unless it is a borrowed
score. Your name and your own markings will useful if/when the pieces are performed again.
Reception
The Vermont Choral Union hosts a reception following each of our Burlington area concerts. Members will be
asked to contribute baked goods or other finger foods to at least one of these receptions.
Performance Etiquette
• Do not wear perfumes, cologne or other scented products, as some people or sensitive to fragrances.
• Just prior to the concert, the group forms in concert order in the Green Room, as specified by the director.
• Turn pages quietly. Try to anticipate and to minimize potential page noise prior to the performance by clipping
pages together, trimming pages, re-punching the holes, and/or by other methods.
• Do not carry water bottles or other personal items on stage.
• If you, or someone else, has made a mistake, try not to grimace or react in any noticeable way.
• Smile!
EMERITUS MEMBERS
History
At the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Vermont Choral Union, by-law changes were approved to add Emeritus
Members as a new category of membership.
Definition
Emeritus Members are former Performing Members who have either:
• reached the age of sixty-five, been Performing Members for at least ten years, and have expressed interest in
continued affiliation with the Vermont Choral Union, or
• been Performing Members with at least fifteen years participation and have expressed interest in continued
affiliation with the Vermont Choral Union.
Rights and Privileges
Emeritus Members shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of membership in the Vermont Choral Union. They retain
the privilege of voting and may serve on committees and on the Board of Directors of the Vermont Choral Union.
Emeritus Members are not required to pay membership fees to the Choral Union.
Membership Guide
Compiled by:
Mary Dietrich
Martha Haskell
Ann Larson
Phil Woodburn
(Revised November 2013)