John Cleveland complimented Keri Muir and the Stage Crew for their outstanding work with a difficult set and the efforts they made to correct safety hazards on the set. He also expressed concern regarding the continuing problem with lack of proper space in the men?s dressing room for large productions. John reminded the committee that the AGMA-AOC Agreement requires that each chorister have a chair, mirror and a station furnished with a make-up kit.
Chorus Artistic Development WorkshopsThe AOC sponsored chorus workshop for this season will be the ?Era Blitz? period stage presence workshop instructed by JoAnn Yeoman. John Cleveland reported that JoAnn has concurred with the dates of Feb 10 & 17, 2007 on consecutive Saturdays in each city. John asked that locations, times and the order of the two city workshops be determined as soon as possible. John spoke with Carrie Kunz and requested that she attend the workshops and provide instruction on the wearing of and movement in period dresses. She has agreed to do this and provide period dresses for demonstration.
John reported on an AGMA-AZ independently sponsored workshop to assist all choristers (not just AGMA members) in preparing for their required biennial auditions, now planned for April 2007. 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.
Dan Kurek, Julian Reed and Ann Nagell have agreed to be on the panel.
AGMA-AZ will fund all costs and independently sponsor this workshop. John asked regarding the availability of Ashby Lohse Rehearsal Hall for the Tucson workshop. Tom Wright will look into the availability of the hall. The dates for the workshop will be March 10 and 17, 2007 on two consecutive Saturdays in each of the two cities. The Phoenix Boys Choir facility is being considered for the Phoenix location.
Chorus Biennial AuditionsJohn Cleveland requested information regarding the all chorus biennial auditions required every two years by the AOC-AGMA Agreement to evaluate artistic proficiency of incumbent choristers. Tom Wright and Julian Reed provided the following information:
John Cleveland requested an update on the dates for the small role auditions for the 2007-2008 season. Tom Wright and Joel Revzen are in New York City December 7-12, 2006 for auditions for roles in Arizona Opera productions for the 2007-2008 season. No dates have been set for local auditions for small roles for the next season.
Chorus Bit Roles - 2006-2007 SeasonJohn requested confirmation for all Schedule C chorus bit roles for the current season. Tom Wright confirmed that the following chorus bit roles for the remainder of the season would be cast:
Barry Stein made a recommendation that the first 90 minutes of the first chorus staging rehearsal for a given production be allotted to a music rehearsal with the conductor and chorus master. This would allow the chorus members from each city to sing through the music together as one chorus and receive notes from the conductor. Tom Wright agreed to this suggestion and will work with Keri Muir to have the time scheduled for the January 6th staging rehearsal for Butterfly.
Backstage at the OperaJohn provided an update to Tom Wright regarding current plans for Backstage at the Opera. The annual AGMA-AZ sponsored concert fundraisers for Arizona Opera will be held June 9 and 16, 2007 on two consecutive Saturdays in each of the two cities. AGMA-AZ has decided this year to do a traditional concert presentation and will not be using the Ashby-Lohse Rehearsal Hall in Tucson. Other venues in Tucson are currently being considered. Plans continue to use the Phoenix Boys Choir facility as the Phoenix venue.
Arizona Opera Dress Rehearsal TapesRenee Summers made a recommendation to make videotapes of Arizona Opera dress rehearsals available to choristers for feedback and instruction on movement and stage presence. Tom Wright agreed that the tapes could be a positive training resource for the chorus and will research the possibility of their availability and use.