Membership in Minneapolis Choir Collective

Membership in Minneapolis Choir Co-Op is based on participation and self-selection. After working with MCC for one cycle (ie Fall, Winter, or Spring), you can be considered a member of MCC.

As a participant, whether it’s your first cycle or your fifteenth, you are responsible for publicizing MCC’s concerts, paying dues, completing surveys sent out by MCC Leadership, and complying with the Musicianship Agreement and Attendance Policy. 

As a member (sang in 1+ cycles), you are eligible to meet to discuss and vote on organizational issues, join advisory committees, receive invitations to small ensembles, and more. Folks who have previously worked with MCC and not currently participating in a cycle may still be members and/or express interest in joining our Board of Directors.

Community Building in Minneapolis Choir Co-Op

We will have nametags for the first three rehearsals of each cycle so that folks can learn each other’s names. Names provided during cycle registration will be used. Please let Elinor know if you would like a different name on your nametag.

We will have a digital sign-up form for bringing snacks to rehearsal. Our break midway through rehearsal is 15-20 minutes long. 

Post-cycle parties will be planned by MCC Leadership and any interested members. Party details will be shared via email. 

MCC Musicianship Agreement 

MCC sings challenging repertoire, including premieres, and we are not an ensemble intended for beginning musicians. We ask that singers are comfortable learning music quickly. Most rehearsal time is spent on mastering interpretation and musicality versus learning notes. 

As a result, we trust that singers who join MCC have the self-knowledge that they are ready to meet our expectations. We recognize that folks may need more individual practice time than others, and expect that folks will meet their own learning needs. When sought out and requested, support is available from section leaders and the Artistic Director. 

If a singer does not rise to the group standard of musicianship, the Artistic Director will approach that singer and have a conversation regarding musicianship.

Examples of not meeting the group standard of musicianship include not being able to match pitch, not having an adequate internal sense of rhythm, or not learning music at the necessary pace. 

If it is determined that that singer is not a fit with MCC, they may be asked to leave the cycle partway through. The Artistic Director is happy to direct you to an ensemble that may be better for your current ability level. 

If a previously removed singer remains motivated to join MCC in the future, they will need to demonstrate an improved level of musicianship for the Artistic Director via an audition. 

Please note, auditions (outside of auditions for solos) are not standard operating procedure for MCC at this time. However, the Artistic Director reserves the right to require any and all singers to audition if needed.

Attendance Policy

Rehearsal Attendance: 

• At Minneapolis Choir Coop, we recognize that our choir participants are active community members with a variety of different commitments and schedules. 

• However, every voice is important at MCC and consistent attendance at rehearsals is essential to achieve a unified and polished sound. 

• Generally, choir participants are allowed 1-2 absences per concert cycle. This number of appropriate absences depends on the cycle, and will be articulated to participants during the sign-up process.

• Due to the time-restricted nature of some projects, MCC’s attendance policy may be adjusted on a Project-by-Project basis and will be communicated verbally and by email during the first week of the concert cycle. 

• Choir participants who miss rehearsals are expected to rehearse the material on their own and follow up with their section leader to obtain any rehearsal notes. 

• Extended absences due to illness or other extenuating circumstances will be handled on a case-by-case basis by MCC Leadership.  

• In the event of noncontagious illnesses or vocal fatigue, choir participants are encouraged to attend rehearsals as observers. 

• Choir participants who exceed the acceptable number of rehearsal absences in a concert cycle must connect with the Artistic Director in order to potentially participate in the concert. 

Tardiness: 

• Choir participants are expected to be ready to begin rehearsal promptly at 6:00pm.  

• Regular tardiness will prompt a conversation with MCC Leadership to discuss appropriate next steps.

Dress Rehearsals: 

• Dress Rehearsals immediately prior to a performance are mandatory. 

• In the case of unexpected illnesses or emergency situations, the MCC Leadership team will determine the best course of action on a case-by-case basis.

If you know that you will miss a rehearsal or will be tardy, please update the Attendance Sheet linked in weekly emails, and email minneapolischoircollective@gmail.com.

Sheet Music and Binders

All participants who need music will be provided with printed copies at the first rehearsal of a cycle. 

Digital copies are not always available due to licensing and music budget.

Folks are encouraged to have a .5’ to 1’ black binder for their hole-punched music. Classic black folders are also a good option. Please do not plan to use non-black binders/folders for concerts. If getting a black binder/folder is a barrier for you, please let Elinor (Operations Director) know. 

The cost of sheet music is covered in your dues. 

Please visit the MCC Code of Conduct for more information on group culture and the process through which to address concerns.

Communication in Minneapolis Choir Collective

Communications from Minneapolis Choir Collective will be on email via the email address minneapolischoircollective@gmail.com. 

Additional member-led social communication can be accessed on Discord.

Pre-cycle informational emails/cycle announcements will come from minneapolischoircollective@gmail.com, from Artistic Director Alex Rack or Operations Director Elinor Jones.

Weekly check-ins with rehearsal notes, snack reminders, and additional pertinent information will come from minneapolischoircollective@gmail.com, from Artistic Director Alex Rack or Operations Director Elinor Jones.

Notices about organizational meetings will come from minneapolischoircollective@gmail.com, from Executive Director Beth Trizna.

Dues for Minneapolis Choir Co-Op

For the first six years of MCC’s organizational life, dues were not implemented in an effort to keep participation casual and accessible. Costs, such as music, were covered by MCC Leadership personally. As a Co-Op, we recognize the importance of shared responsibility. Dues cover choir expenses which contribute to the collaborative music-making environment which we all benefit from - including access to professional conductors/collaborative musicians, sheet music, rehearsal space, and more.

We are committed to inclusivity, and therefore dues operate on a sliding scale. Per cycle, of which there are three in a season, participants are asked to pay dues. The suggested base dues will vary based on concert-associated costs and yearly budget. Base dues will be announced per-cycle. A pay-as-you’re-able option enables those who cannot pay base dues to contribute according to their budget, from $0. Pay-as-you’re-able also empowers those with more discretionary income to contribute more per cycle.

Each cycle, participants will indicate their preference for dues payment via this Google Form. Dues are paid most easily via Venmo (minneapolischoircoop). Checks may be collected at rehearsal. We prefer to not receive cash.

Participants are welcome to reach out to MCC Leadership with comments or questions about dues at any time via email - minneapolischooircoop@gmail.com. 

Time Commitment

MCC’s artistic and performance standards depend on a combination of in-person ensemble rehearsals and individual preparation.

Ensemble Work: 

• MCC rehearses weekly on Sundays from 6:00 to 8:30pm at Minnehaha United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. 

• Singers arrive a few minutes early for rehearsal so that warm-ups begin promptly at 6:00. 

• There is typically one additional mandatory dress rehearsal on the preceding Sunday’s rehearsal to run the concert set and practice in the concert venue space.
  

Individual Preparation: 

• When possible, the Artistic Director shares a rehearsal plan in advance and/or notes from the previous rehearsal. 

• Singers should be prepared to commit up to one hour per week to review the rehearsal plan and practice repertoire when individual preparation is needed.

• This individual practice should include learning/reviewing pitches, rhythms, text, dynamics, and any rehearsal notes from the Artistic Director. 

• It is important that this preparation takes place outside of rehearsal time so that the rehearsal can be focused primarily on ensemble work.

As an MCC participant, you commit your time to:

• Attend weekly rehearsals and dress rehearsals for each cycle you participate in.

• Commit up to one hour weekly to individual practice and preparation as needed.

Performance Attire

• To allow audiences to focus on the group’s sound, MCC members will be expected to follow a consistent set of concert dress guidelines when performing. During concerts, MCC members shall wear:

• Semi-formal/polished/comfortable-for-you garments, solid black, with a green accent piece not to comprise more than 20% of the overall outfit.

• Strong colognes or perfumes should not be worn during performances.
  In the rare event that an occasion calls for performance attire other than what has been outlined above, members will be notified at least three weeks in advance.

• Members who are not comfortable following a performance’s dress guidelines (for reasons such as financial constraints, gender presentation, or religious faith) are encouraged to discuss their situation with MCC Leadership as soon as they are able.