Chiltern Chamber Choir Rules & Regulations

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I. Overview

a. Chiltern Chamber Choir, CCC, is a choir of enthusiastic singers, and is a registered

charity governed by its constitution, which can be found on CCC’s website. CCC is

composed of:

i. CCC members;

ii. the CCC committee composed of the trustees of the charity, and any other co-opted

members. The committee includes the following positions:

 Choir Manager or Chair;

 Secretary;

 Treasurer;

 Librarian.

iii. The Director of Music who is not a CCC Committee member.

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II. Membership admission and termination rules

a. There are two forms of membership, performing members, and honorary members. All

membership requires the approval of the CCC committee.

b. Performing members are those members who have satisfied the Musical Director that

they have sufficient musical ability to perform with CCC. Performing members can

expect to be reassessed on a regular basis.

c. Honorary members are appointed by the CCC committee to recognise those who have

provided CCC with exceptional support over a significant number of years.

d. Membership is at the discretion of the CCC committee and may be withdrawn by the

committee in accordance with the Constitution, Section 4. The decision of the

committee is final.

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III. Subscription fees

a. Performing members are expected to pay an annual fee for membership of CCC. The

amount of the fee is set by the CCC committee, and approved by the members at the

agm.

b. The annual fee payment becomes due by the end of September, and should be paid

within two months of that date. Members who have failed to pay by that date will be

contacted by the Treasurer. Members who have failed to pay or come to an agreement

with the Treasurer or Choir Manager, shall be excluded from singing in concerts.

Continuing failure to pay by performing members will be reviewed by the CCC

committee, and may result in suspension or termination of membership.

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c. Members who have difficulty meeting the subscription fee requirement are encouraged

to discuss this with the Choir Manager or Treasurer, with a view to agreeing an

alternative arrangement.

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IV. What members can expect

a. Performing members can expect the committee to arrange multiple concerts throughout

the year, with significant choral content. These concerts will normally be conducted by

the Musical Director, and accompanied by appropriate competent musicians and soloists.

b. Performing members are responsible for providing their own music. The CCC librarian

will normally investigate bulk buying and hiring possibilities for the music required.

c. Prior to each concert performing members can expect the CCC committee to arrange a

set of rehearsals normally conducted by the Musical Director. The rehearsals will

broadly follow school terms, and be arranged on a weekly basis in an appropriate

rehearsal facility.

d. Performing members can expect appropriate publicity to be arranged by the CCC

committee prior to concerts.

e. Performing members can expect the choir’s website to be maintained and kept up to

date.

f. Members who have a complaint, can communicate that complaint to the Choir Manager

via the email address given in Section XI below. Member can expect such complaints to

be reviewed by the committee in a timely manner.

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V. What is expected of members

a. Performing members are expected to attend at least 75% of the rehearsals organised

for a concert plus the orchestral rehearsal for the concert. Failure to meet this

requirement will lead to the Musical Director reviewing whether the performing

member should perform in the concert. The decision of the Musical Director is final.

b. Performing members are expected to attend rehearsals on time.

c. Performing members are expected to come to rehearsals having prepared the music for

their part. Rehearsals will concentrate on performing style, technique and ensemble.

d. Performing members who are ill, especially those with respiratory infections, should not

attend rehearsals and inform the choir manager of their condition. Performing members

who are unable to attend rehearsals for any other reason should inform the choir

manager of their intended absence.

e. The continuing success of the choir depends on well attended concerts. Members are

expected to assist the committee in promoting concerts by advertising and selling of

tickets where they have the opportunity.

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f. Where members have hired scores they must be returned to the librarian promptly in

a good condition. If members are unable to sing in the concert, they should return

the music to the librarian as soon as this situation arises.

g. If a member is unable to return a hired score or it is returned in poor condition the

member will become liable for paying the replacement cost and any further

additional costs imposed by the lender.

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VI. Code of conduct

a. Members should at all times behave courteously towards others present.

b. Members should remain quiet and attentive during the rehearsal and whilst notices are

being presented.

VII. Director of Music

a. The Director of Music is responsible for recommending to the CCC committee the

music to be performed, and for coaching and training CCC to perform to a high

standard.

b. The Director of Music is appointed by the CCC committee. CCC members will

normally be consulted on the appointment of a new Director of Music, but the

decision of the CCC committee is final. The Director of Music’s appointment may

be terminated by the CCC committee if they are consistently failing to meet their

responsibilities.

c. The Director of Music is not a member of the committee, and their fee is subject to

approval by the CCC committee. The Director of Music may be invited to CCC

committee meetings to discuss musical issues, but has no vote on the CCC

committee.

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VIII. Choir expenditure

a. The choir income is principally used to meet rehearsal and concert expenses.

b. The amount used for the hire of premises, and musicians fees are subject to agreement

by the CCC committee.

IX. CCC committee election rules

a. The CCC committee form the Trustees of the charity. The appointment of the Trustees is

Governed by the Constitution Sections 7 and 8.

b. The Annual General Meeting and election of Trustees is governed by the Constitution,

Section 14.

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X. CCC committee communication methods

a. The CCC committee will use the following means to communicate committee decisions,

choir events, and other choir news:

i. emailing of membership;

ii. notices at rehearsals;

iii. choir website.

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XI. Communicating with the committee

a. CCC has set up a number of email addresses which members should use when

communicating with the committee. These are:

i. choirmanager@chilternchamberchoir.org ;

ii. concertmanager@chilternchamberchoir.org ;

iii. secretary@chilternchamberchoir.org ;

iv. treasurer@chilternchamberchoir.org ;

v. librarian@chilternchamberchoir.org.

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XII. Safeguarding & health and safety

a. The CCC committee aims to provide a safe environment in which the choir can rehearse

and perform. Any member who has a safety or safeguarding concern should raise this

with the Choir Manager or any other committee member preferably using the email

addresses given in Section XI above.

b. The choir has a member who can provide first aid. In the case of an incident please

contact any committee member who will organise the required assistance.

c. Any member with specific safeguarding or health and safety needs should communicate

them to the Choir Manager. Where practicable the CCC committee will try and satisfy

these requirements.

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XIII. Management of this document

a. This Rules & Regulations document will be maintained by the Choir Manager, and

the latest version posted on the choir website.

b. The Rules & Regulations will be reviewed annually by the CCC committee.

c. Members who have a suggestion about changes to this document should contact the

Choir Manager, or any other committee member.

d. A copy of this document will be given to each member upon joining the choir.

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e. Notice of changes will be communicated to the choir via the notices at rehearsals, and

posted on the choir’s website.