VocalEssence primarily communicates with singers through weekly announcements at rehearsals, through Chorus Connection, and via email. Announcements may include information about upcoming rehearsals or concerts; notes from Philip, GPS, Ethan, Sections Leaders, or Board Liaisons; and other information pertaining to Chorus business.
VocalEssence also includes singers in e-newsletters to the general public. While we never sell or rent our mailing list, from time to time we share lists with other nonprofit arts and cultural organizations.
-> If you would prefer that your name not be shared, please email Laura Holst.

You play a role in the success of this organization’s mission to make a lasting, meaningful impact on our community through music. The greatest thing you can do for us—besides share your amazing vocal talent with us and the community—is to give voice to all that we do, to be an ambassador for our mission in the community.

When people ask you about VocalEssence, we encourage you to share both facts and your own passions.

• VocalEssence is a leading arts organization in Minnesota, now in our 57th year.
• VocalEssence provides opportunities that draw upon the power of singing together to nurture community, inspire creativity, affirm the value of all persons, and expand the impact of choral music.

Using the name VocalEssence

VocalEssence is always one word with two capital letters. Avoid using all caps or lower case. VocalEssence refers to the entire organization, not to the performing groups, and is never possessive.

-> for example, we would say “The VocalEssence mission is…” or “The mission of VocalEssence is…” and not “VocalEssence’s mission is…”

• Our regular rehearsals take place at 7:00pm on Tuesdays in Guild Hall of Plymouth Congregational Church.
• During concert weeks, we frequently have rehearsals on Thursdays and/or Saturdays before the performance. Please ensure you check the schedule for the season carefully and copy all dates into your own calendar!
• You can find the Chorus calendar on the portal homepage — hit the teal button to Subscribe to your calendar app of choice!
• Section leaders will take attendance for the Chorus. Be in your seats 5 minutes before rehearsal so attendance can be taken.

If you need to miss a rehearsal, every absence is reviewed on an individual basis so that the circumstances can be taken into account. This makes it important for you to explain the reason for your absence with the attendance form.

Illness Policy:

• VocalEssence encourages all singers to take care of themselves and their fellow singers, including when it comes to considerations when you fall sick. If you fall ill, please stay home while you have new or developing symptoms. If you are recovering from being sick and are well enough to sing, you may return to rehearsal and we strongly encourage you to wear a mask until you are fully recovered.

Tardiness

• Being late is disruptive to the progress of the group and frequent tardiness will hinder your continued involvement with the organization.

More than two absences per project will jeopardize your ability to remain on the roster for that project. Any dress rehearsals missed will require discussion with the conductors before being eligible to sing in the related concert. The Artistic Director & Associate Artistic Director will make all decisions regarding concert participation based on the circumstances of the missed rehearsals, the number of rehearsals in advance of the concert, and your readiness with the concert music. Concerns about attendance across projects may necessitate conversation with the conductors regarding your participation with VocalEssence for the current season.

Fill out our attendance form to document known conflicts.

If you must submit the form within 24 hours of the absence, please email or text Ethan and your section leader.

If you must miss a rehearsal, it is your responsibility to get markings & announcements from another singer prior to the next rehearsal. Sometimes markings may be made available on the Chorus homepage. 

As a volunteer singer with VocalEssence, your use of social media reflects on the organization. Before submitting a post, consider the following prohibited social media activities:

• Sending or posting messages or material that could damage the organization’s image or reputation
• Passing off personal views as representing those of the organization.
• Sending or posting confidential material or proprietary information outside of the organization.

Plymouth Congregational:

Plymouth Congregational Church (PCC) serves as the home base for the VocalEssence office and a majority of our rehearsals. Here are a few guidelines and things to remember:

• Free parking is available in the church lot at Franklin and Nicollet. You may park in any spot marked “Plymouth Congregational Church.” Do not leave your car in the lot past midnight. If the lot is full, you will be directed to alternate parking
• Do not leave cell phones, GPS devices, or other valuables visible in your car–put them in your trunk or hide them
• Enter the church through the Jones Commons door (Door 1, facing LaSalle Ave). This door locks at 8pm nightly, so if you need to get in the building, call the phone number listed at the entrance.

Concert Venues

VocalEssence performs at numerous venues throughout the Twin Cities. Parking at each venue is the responsibility of the singer and carpooling is encouraged.

Securing Personal Property at VocalEssence Concerts

We are committed to assisting our singers safely secure their personal property at all VocalEssence sponsored concerts.  Whenever possible, we will:

1. Provide a secure room where valuables can be stored. In venues that are not secure concert halls, a VocalEssence staff member or designate will be assigned to monitor the room at all times

-or-

2. If, for some reason, staff resources cannot accommodate an “in room” monitor, VocalEssence will identify a single lockable room where all performer valuables can be stored with a key retained by a VocalEssence staff member.

To help us better serve you, we ask that you consider bringing only essential items to concert venues. When possible, keep your most important valuables on your person throughout the performance.  

The standard VocalEssence concert attire is a formal all black outfit.

Singers have the choice of wearing clothing to fit that description that reflects their identity and how they choose to present themselves while contributing to the blend of our visual presentation.

This pictogram helps depict an approximate visual of the coverage of your selected outfit.

Singers’ all-black outfits should have mid-forearm sleeves or longer with the bottom of the outfit reaching to mid-calf or longer.

All singers are required to wear plain, closed-toe black shoes. Any visible fasteners (buttons, zippers, etc.) present should be black.

We kindly request that you do not wear sneakers, jeans, long-sleeve t-shirts, leggings, and any fabrics that are sheer or will catch the light (no sequins, silk, leather, etc.). Small earrings and rings are acceptable but must not significantly reflect or catch light.

If you are wondering if your outfit will work for concerts, please contact Ethan and he will be happy to review and work with you. Any concerns about individual concert attire will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

*A helpful tip: “dress rehearsals” is a term we use to refer to final rehearsals, usually on site at the performance venue, leading up to a performance. Unless noted in announcements and in writing, it is not required to attend these rehearsals in concert dress. 

Folders:

VocalEssence provides a black concert folder for your use during the season. We ask that singers return the folder to VocalEssence if you resign or retire; otherwise it is yours to keep between seasons.

As these folders are property of VocalEssence, please take good care of them by not putting stickers or other marks on them so we can use them in the future. You will be charged to replace a lost folder or one damaged beyond normal wear and tear.

Music:

Ethan is the music librarian for both the VocalEssence Chorus and VocalEssence Ensemble Singers. Please direct all music-related questions to him.

• All singers are assigned a music folder number. When new music is distributed in the mail carts, your copy will be in the file-folder with your last name and number on the tag.
• You are responsible for bringing all of your music to each rehearsal. If you forget your music, a spare set will be available to use and must be returned at the end of that rehearsal. Any music that is lost will incur a fee to the singer.

Singers are permitted to use tablets instead of paper scores for their music. Scans of our music are also available on the Chorus homepage under the ‘Music’ section. Singers are welcome to access these for rehearsal and performance purposes. If you perform with a tablet, you must have it in a black case or hold it in your black folder. Singers who notify Ethan of primarily using electronic music will not be given paper copies to use. If your tablet dies at rehearsal, limited spare sets will be available to use and must be returned at the end of that rehearsal. Retaining copies of these PDFs and/or distributing them outside of VocalEssence is strictly prohibited.

• Music will be collected at the next rehearsal scheduled after each concert. If no rehearsal is scheduled within a few weeks of a concert, music may be collected immediately following the concert. If you forget or are not able to return your music at the scheduled time, it is your responsibility to arrange a time to turn your music into the office within two weeks following the concert.
• Any late fines charged by the publisher on rented scores will be forwarded to you if you return your music late. You will incur a fee for all music not returned or scores damaged beyond normal wear and tear.
• *Use of tablets for music is permitted with the understanding that devices will not be used for other purposes during rehearsal. Please do not take advantage of the tablet/music policy to text/send emails or otherwise disengage from rehearsal.

Do not highlight (unless instructed), three-hole punch, use pen on, or scribble on any music. Please erase all egregious markings in music before turning it in.

Cell Phones:

Philip and GPS expect singers to be invested during rehearsal. Cell phones, alarms, and other devices must be turned off for all rehearsals and performances. Texting, games, emails, and other uses of cell phones during rehearsal are prohibited.

Scents:

Please do not wear perfume, cologne, scented lotion, essential oils, etc., to rehearsal or performances. Some folks may have allergies or sensitivities that can cause tight throats, issues with breathing, and headaches and may be affected. Please be mindful of those around you and help to keep everyone’s singing experience healthy.

VocalEssence relies on a tremendous amount of volunteer support. If you would like to become more involved with VocalEssence beyond singing, there are always opportunities for you and your friends and family to volunteer. VocalEssence is grateful for the talents of our many volunteers.

Volunteer opportunities are regularly posted on our webpage here.

Check the volunteer calendar regularly for new opportunities or reach out to Ethan or Azure.

As a thank you for your time with VocalEssence, we offer discounted ticket codes to our artists to share with their family or friends who may wish to come to the concert.

We also strongly encourage you to communicate with all of your networks about concert opportunities. You are always welcome to share social media posts or post on your own. As the artists in the organization, you are the people and voices that folks come to hear, so you can encourage folks to come to performances like no one else can!

Each member of the VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers is eligible to receive a 50% discount on four single tickets per concert.

Order today at our website or by calling the box office for the respective concert as listed.

Single Tickets

50% off up to four tickets at any price level.

Use code SINGER2526

Make sure to enter the code on the box office page before selecting your seats!!!

Important Disclaimers:

• These discounts are not available for at-the-door sales. All tickets must be purchased in advance from the box office.
• You must be a VocalEssence Singer to use the discount code. If you are unable to purchase tickets yourself, another person (family member or friend) may purchase tickets with the code, but no more than four discounted tickets can be purchased for each concert.