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Membership Information

Once you have auditioned and been accepted as a member of the New York Choral Society, an exciting and satisfying musical experience awaits you. Here are some of the guidelines about NYCS membership:

Rehearsals are regularly on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. They are held in the Carnegie Hall building or at St. James' Church, Coburn Hall, 865 Madison Avenue at 71st St. During concert weeks, other daytime or evening rehearsals are scheduled according to orchestra and hall availability (usually two orchestral rehearsals and a dress rehearsal). In addition, two or three all day Saturday (10 AM–4 PM) rehearsals are scheduled during the season. For professional performance, there is no substitute for weekly practice and consistent attendance. We expect that each member will attend every rehearsal and, in addition, practice three hours each week outside of rehearsal.

Membership dues for the season are $175 and are due at or before the first rehearsal in September. Any arrangements to the contrary must be made with the Membership Chairman; all other late payments will incur a $25 late fee. In case of financial hardship, a member may apply for scholarship. Recipients of such are expected to participate in additional volunteer activities. Each Member is expected to sell a minimum of 8 tickets to each concert produced by the New York Choral Society. Any Member who does not sing in a concert produced by the Choral Society is expected to sell a minimum of 4 tickets to that concert. Ticket obligations, when members cannot find attendees, can always be met by contributing to our Student Outreach program.

A member will not be permitted to sing a concert unless the appropriate attire is worn. Each member of the chorus is reviewed and/or re-auditioned annually. The Music Director, President and Membership Chair conduct the review. If a member has satisfied the membership policies, that member's re-audition will be waived for the upcoming season. Regardless, each section will be re-auditioned every four years. No member may sing a concert until the membership review and/or audition has been completed.