AGMA-AZ Opera General Chorus Meeting

Arizona Opera Chorus General Meeting

September 23, 2006

Introduction & Welcome (John Cleveland)

Artistic Workshop Presentations

Sir Thomas Allen Master Class (Rachel Velarde)

Sponsors: U of A and AOC
Instructor: Sir Thomas Allen
Date: November 1, 2006 at 3:30pm
Location: Holsclaw Hall, University of Arizona, Tucson
Limited Invitation:
- U of A Students
- Arizona Opera Chorus Members
- AOC donors
Singers will be pre-selected by Joel Revzen
- Two singers from U of A
- Four singers from Arizona Opera Chorus

"Era Blitz" Stage Movement and Dance (Rachel Velarde)

Instructor: Jo Ann Yeoman (ASU)
Timing: March 2007
Location: Conducted in each City on two consecutive Saturdays
Content and Schedule:

Morning:

Relaxation
Connecting the physical to the emotional
Exercises that open up physical character choices
Exercises that offer ideas to physically complement your ensemble character
Use of "body language" in the theater etc.

Afternoon:

Manners, etiquette, props, and costumes of each era.
Specialized dance movements required of choristers, such as the Pavane in Eugene Onegin, or the Waltz in Fledermaus.
Exercises
Resource material
How to use the research on an individual basis

Backstage at the Opera (John Cleveland and Ray Funk)

Objective: Raise funds and provide publicity for Arizona Opera, and showcase the artistry of the Arizona Opera Chorus as an artistic resource that is invaluable to the contributions of Arizona Opera to the communities of Phoenix and Tucson. Provide individual choristers with performance opportunities.
Background: AGMA-AZ sponsored the first ever chorus fundraiser in April 2004. The event, "Backstage at the Opera", was held in Tucson at the staging hall where Arizona Opera conducts all of the staging rehearsals. Last season, two concerts were held in the cities of Phoenix and Tucson. Combined audiences totaled 160 people. Patrons were treated to an Italian buffet and operatic and Broadway favorites sung only by Arizona Opera Choristers. The event raised $3,200 after expenses. A check was presented to Joel Revzen at the Phoenix AOC offices in July 2006.
Format: This season, AGMA-AZ will again sponsor two concerts in each City. The program will be the same for both cities.
Timing: May 2007
Location: Our objective is to again use Ashby Lohse Rehearsal Studio (our staging rehearsal location) in Tucson and the Phoenix Boys Choir facility in Phoenix. These concert locations have not been finalized.
Singers: All Arizona Opera Choristers will be invited to perform. This opportunity is for all choristers, not just AGMA members.
Artistic Team: Dan Kurek has agreed to again be our Artistic Director. We hope to have Ann Nagell as our accompanist.
Material: Standard operatic repertoire and possibly some Broadway selections. All program options to include opera scenes, ensemble duets, trios, and individual arias will be considered.
Finances and Support: These concerts will be funded by AGMA-AZ. Arizona Opera will support with publicity and raffle prizes in the form of opera tickets, posters etc. Costs will be covered through event proceeds, contributions and AGMA-AZ member annual activity dues.
Planning Committee: Our planning committee is reviewing all options for these concerts to build on and increase the level of success experienced during the past two seasons. More volunteers are needed.

Mandatory Chorus Biennial Auditions (John Cleveland)

The AGMA - Arizona Opera Agreement requires all incumbent choristers to be auditioned every two years to evaluate choristers individual performance.
Auditions are planned for mid to late March 2007.
Auditions will be held during weekdays.
Locations in each City have not been determined.
Choristers will be required to prepare and perform operatic arias. Two years ago choristers prepared one aria.
Audition panel will be comprised of Joel Revzen and Julian Reed.

AGMA-AZ Audition Preparation Workshop(Barry Stein)

Objective: Conduct a workshop to assist all choristers (not just AGMA members) in preparing for their required biennial auditions, now planned for March 2007.
Format: Choristers will present their required aria selection before a mock audition panel. Arias will be evaluated by the panel of instructors and feedback/analysis provided to the choristers at the end of their audition.
Possible Instructors: Dan Kurek has agreed to be on the panel. We hope to also have Ann Nagell (accompanist) and Julian Reed.
Location: Phoenix and Tucson

Timing: February 10^th and 17^th - two consecutive Saturdays

Funding: AGMA-AZ will fund all costs and independently sponsor this workshop.

Chorus Newsletter (John Cleveland)

AGMA-AZ would like to publish a Chorus Newsletter electronically three times a season.
We have the software and the expert (Kathleen Cleveland) to publish our first newsletter in early December 2006.
This newsletter will contain plenty of information that you can use. Stories will range from AGMA-AZ activities, to company news, to news regarding your fellow choristers (e.g. recital and performance events).
Each issue will feature articles by and about choristers, helping you to better know your colleagues and your chorus family.
We need a volunteer to be the editor of the newsletter.
We will be conducting a contest to give a name to the newsletter.
Deadlines:

Ideas for a newsletter name to John by November 1^st.

Article submissions to John or our new editor by November 15^th.

Chorus Website (John Cleveland)

The chorus website is being renovated and reactivated.
The website will include:

Access to chorus contact information.
Important announcements.
Chorus Handbook and Chorister Absence Request Form
AGMA-AOC Agreement
Handouts from Chorus meetings.
Minutes from annual AGMA-AZ membership meetings.
Target for website activation is January 2007. Watch for details in our upcoming December edition of the Chorus Newsletter.

AGMA Commercial (John, Rachel and Jaime)

Testimonial: Jaime Flora
AGMA-AZ By-Laws: The AGMA-AZ By-Laws are twelve years old and in bad need of update and revision. We need AGMA chorus members to volunteer to serve on a committee that will produce By-Laws that are more comprehensive and useful as a guide to the conduct of AGMA-AZ business.
Overcoming the financial hurdles of Joining AGMA: The $500 initial membership fee to join AGMA is difficult for many choristers. AGMA National has agreed to tailor the payment of this fee to each Arizona Opera chorister?s financial needs. Choristers can pay down the $500 fee establishing their own payment amount and schedule with no deadline to complete payments. This is a special program for Arizona Opera choristers arranged by AGMA-AZ. See John Cleveland for details.
Annual AGMA-AZ Activity Fee ($25)

Chorus Survey (Renee Summers)

Last chorus survey was conducted during the 2003-2004 season.
A new survey will be sent to all choristers in early 2007.
We need feedback and ideas to improve the working and artistic environment for all choristers.
Survey responses will be presented at the Susannah Chorus Dinner Meeting.
Results will be used to prepare for the AGMA-AOC Agreement negotiation preparations during the 2007-2008 season.