Home

We are pleased to accept new singers each semester as we begin rehearsing for new concerts. The best time to join is to come early to one of the first three rehearsals of any given semester (September and January). You are always welcome to come to a rehearsal or two to “take a test drive” to make sure the RCC is something you want to commit to.

The first rehearsal of the Fall, 2006 Season will take place on Monday, September 11. Unless notified otherwise, all rehearsals will take place on Monday evenings in the multi-form theater at the Richardson Academic Center on the campus of Rochester College.

Unless notified otherwise, rehearsals for all vocal parts are from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

If you are coming to the group as a new member, we ask that you meet with Joe Bentley, our Director, on one of the first rehearsal nights for a brief audition. Soprano and Alto auditions will be held between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Tenor and Bass auditions will be held between 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Please make arrangements directly with Joe Bentley to take advantage of this opportunity.

Dues are $35.00 per session. Dues must be paid during the first three weeks of the session, unless other arrangements have been made. The RCC is registered as a 501 (c) 3 "not-for-profit" organization and our dues are used to pay our Director and Accompanist and to defray other operating costs. Personal checks will be fine; in fact, they are the preferred method of payment. Cash works also, but the Rochester Community Chorus does not accept credit cards.

Auditions are private, and consist of vocalizations to determine voice type, range, and quality of voice. We are also interested in knowing your level of sight-reading skill, understanding that all RCC members do whatever is necessary to learn the music. Strong sight-reading skills are certainly a plus, but not a pre-requisite to membership.

The Rochester Community Chorus is interested in performing a wide variety of fine choral music, both sacred and secular, including large choral-orchestral works, shorter masterpieces by important composers, and good music from all styles and genres that comprise the choral music world today. We want all of our members to feel like they are contributing positively to the growth of a fine choral organization of which our community can be very proud.

Therefore, by electing to join the Rochester Community Chorus, we expect that members are making a commitment to:

Each semester, the Chorus works towards one major concert. The Fall is typically devoted to preparing a Christmas concert with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra and various other community choral organizations. There are often a few secondary concerts that involve caroling for the Christmas season in the greater Rochester area.

The Spring semester is frequently devoted to producing a concert at a local venue of a wide variety of short works, though occasionally a large choral-orchestral work is performed. Again, secondary concerts are sometimes scheduled to include appearances at local events.

All members are expected to be available for major concerts, but we understand that individual schedules do not always accommodate all dates for which the Chorus may appear. Early communication with the director and section leaders is important.

To maintain our professional standard of performance, all members are expected to attend ALL rehearsals. Should unusual circumstances demand an absence from rehearsal, you should notify your Section Leader or any Board Member. Excessive absenteeism may result in forfeiting the opportunity to perform in the concert, and ultimately membership in the group may be put in jeopardy.

The Rochester Community Chorus rehearses on Monday evenings from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at the multi-form theater in the Richardson Academic Center on the campus of Rochester College, located at 800 W. Avon Road, Rochester Hills. Click here for a map

Undergraduate credit for membership in the RCC is available through the music department of Rochester College, applicable to traditional degrees or continuing education. Students should gain admission to Rochester College via the traditional admissions department or through the college of extended learning, and enroll for MUS 1161 Community Choral Ensemble. Visit the Rochester College website for additional information (www.rc.edu).