To maintain the musical standards of the Concert Choir, there are a number of policies for all our members. Those taking choir for credit can also expect these policies to be a factor in the grading of the class.
Attendance Policy
If you know you will miss a rehearsal, notify your section leader and Bill in advance. Bill, our director, is the only person who can excuse your absence for legitimate reasons (which can be taken into account for grading purposes).
If you decide to leave the choir, please notify your section leader and then return your music (scores) as soon as you are able.
If you miss three or more rehearsals (whether or not they are excused), you will need to re-audition with Bill so he can make sure you're learning the music to continue in choir. We will keep track of attendance and try to remind you if you have missed three or more rehearsals, but it is ultimately your responsibility to make sure you are re-auditioned so that you are fairly graded later.
Sectionals are mandatory, so that we can learn the notes before coming to rehearsal where we want to focus on making music, so talk with Bill to work something out if you have a conflict.
Service requirement
Each choir member must complete two hours of service for the successful operation of the choir. Typical ways choir members fulfill the requirement are:
- being an officer or section leader during the term
- regularly accompanying sectionals on piano
- bringing food to their section's social (see schedule here)
- putting up posters to advertise concerts
- helping to make and put up the drop poster for concerts
- manning the Lobby 10 ticket booth before concerts
- baking, buying, setting up, or cleaning up to help with the reception
- helping with other special tasks that come up during the term
Grading Policy
Students can register for 21M.401 to receive 6 units (0-4-2) of music performance credit for their participation in Concert Choir. This credit may be used to fulfill a HASS concentration, minor, or major in Music (21M). There are no prerequisites. Your grade in Concert Choir will be determined using the following criteria:
- Juries: 50%
- A = pitches and rhythms accurate, expressive markings observed, accurate diction
- B = pitches and rhythms accurate
- C = mistakes in pitches and/or rhythms
- D = did you come to rehearsals??
- Attendance (rehearsals and sectionals): 40%
- Regardless of whether you are taking the class for credit, three missed rehearsals or sectionals will warrant a re-audition with Bill (to make sure you are learning the material).
- For those taking the course for credit, each unexcused absence after the three will result in the lowering of your grade a letter name. Absences can be excused by Bill (preferably before the fact).
- Excused absences include: health (doctor's note required), family emergency, job interview.
- Attendance at dress rehearsals is mandatory. Missing a dress rehearsal will result in the drop of a letter in your grade.
- Service requirement: 10%
- Please see the description above.
Concert Dress
For those of you new to the choir (and as a reminder to the rest), concert dress is formal. In other words, start looking for something to wear. Information on what both women and men are expected to wear is below. If you have questions that are not answered by the information below, please ask our stage manager or conductor.
Do NOT wear:
- perfume
- cologne
- aftershave
- any scented personal care item
as some people are allergic to such items. Do, however, wear deodorant and anti-perspirant.
Women
Women are expected to wear:
- black shoes
- black nylons
- floor-length black skirt or black slacks
- black blouse with some sleeve (short or long, but not sleeveless) and without frills
- no jewelry please!
Some places close to MIT to buy dress skirts:
- Urban Outfitters
- Across Newbury Street from former Tower Records (now Virgin Megastore) at the corner of Mass. Ave. and Newbury St.
- The Gap, 201 Newbury Street, 267-4055
- The Gap, 100 Cambridgeside Plaza, 864-2255
- J. Crew, 100 Cambridgeside Plaza, 225-2739
- Ann Taylor, 100 Cambridgeside Plaza, 225-2779
In Boston (in roughly increasing order of price):
- Filene's Basement, 426 Washington St., 542-2011
- Marianne, 25 Winter St., 426-9407
- Contempo Casuals, 11 Winter St., 695-3590
- Images, 417 Washington St., 482-0058
- In the Corner Mall, second floor.
- The Limited Express, 333 Washington St., 227-8264
- Filene's, 426 Washington St., 357-2100
- Jordan Marsh, 450 Washington St., 357-3000
- The Gap, Market Place Center, 951-9300
- In the Corner Mall.
- Saks Fifth Avenue, Prudential Plaza, 262-8500
- Ann Taylor, 800 Boylston St., 421-9097
Men
Men are expected to wear:
- black dress shoes (not sneakers)
- black socks
- black tuxedo (pants and jacket without tails)
- black cummerbund
- black bowtie
- white tuxedo shirt
One convenient place you can go to purchase or rent a tuxedo is Keezer's, 140 River St., Cambridge (map).
Directions to Keezer's:
- Walk North up Massachusetts Avenue to the Central Square T Stop. Magazine St., River St., and Western Ave. will be on your left at the traffic light; Prospect St. will be on your right.
- Turn left onto River Street by walking past the bus-waiting area toward the red-brick church. You should keep the church just to your left as you walk past it.
- Keezer's will be on your left about 5 blocks past the church (just past a triangular patch of grass). If you pass a traffic light, you've gone too far.
This page is maintained by Yi-Hsin Lin <concert-choir-webmaster@mit.edu>.