How do I become a member of Open Voices?
There is NO audition for Open Voices – any voice is welcome — but the capacity to take in new members is assessed at the end of every concert season, after current members are offered the opportunity to register for the following concert year.
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) Form. If you are interested in joining the choir, you must complete and submit our online EOI Form. We will reach out to the those on the list in the summer if there is enough room to welcome new members in the upcoming concert year.
- Attend a New Member Orientation. Andy Rush, Artistic Director, and a Board Member will hold orientation sessions in the late summer for interested individuals. These sessions will be an opportunity to learn more about the choir, the upcoming concert season schedule, and what it’s like to be a member. If, after this session, you determine that you are still interested in being a member and can commit to participating in the OV concert season, you will have the opportunity to submit your name into the lottery.
- Wait for Results. After all orientation sessions are completed, the submitted names will be “put in a hat” and drawn at random, section by section. The Artistic Director also has the prerogative to select a few members specifically to balance or strengthen sections of the choir, and the Board has the prerogative to use affirmative action to help create diversity in the choir. You will be advised about the results of the lottery.
Do I need musical experience to be a member of Open Voices? No, Open Voices is a non-auditioned community choir and there is no voice check, required experience or musical training needed to join. The current membership ranges from people who are new to singing in a choir to those who are very experienced. Some members read music well, some do not. Print music, teaching recordings, optional beginning theory lessons and sectional rehearsals are provided to help members learn and have maximum fun.
What is expected of members regarding dues? Full Membership dues are currently $300.00 per year. However, the choir doesn’t want finances to be a barrier, so other amounts are acceptable, no questions asked. Our operating budget is planned around approximately 85% of members paying full dues.
More questions about OV membership? If we haven’t answered all your questions about joining the choir, please feel free to contact us at membership@openvoices.ca
Membership Commitment
Members of our choir make a big commitment to participate in and contribute to the learning and community culture of Open Voices. This commitment from all our members is essential to the success and awesomeness of Open Voices. What does this mean exactly?
- Members are committed to attending weekly rehearsals and sectionals, which are scheduled on Wednesday evenings. If a member must miss rehearsals through travel, other activities, family stuff, etc. they are committed to making that up by attending the extra practices that are offered. Members are committed to keeping their section leader informed if they miss practices.
- Members are committed to performing at dress rehearsals and concerts.
- All members are committed to participate in Open Voices for the full concert season, September (or the time they join) to June.
Your citizenship as an Open Voices Member goes a bit beyond weekly rehearsals:
- Members are committed to use the study practice resources that we provide – even a little bit of independent study of your music goes a long way to helping the choir and enhancing your learning and enjoyment.
- Members are committed to looking at ways they can support the choir through a bit (or a lot) of volunteer work.
- Members are committed to take a role in getting us big concert audiences by selling and promoting tickets – your friends and family are our core audience.
Joining Open Voices asks a lot – but it also gives a lot.
Page revised, March 23, 2024
