Member Announcements
May 17, 2020 – What’s next for HCS?
Dear HCS,
The Board of Directors has been meeting often to plan options for HCS to maintain a presence to our audience during this time of quarantine and social distancing.
One of the exciting projects I want to tell you about is one we are calling the “Virtual Choir Project.” This project entails individual recordings of choir members singing their vocal part of a piece selected by Dr. Klotz about 2 minutes in length. There are a number fine details that will be communicated later. For now, we look forward to your participation in completing this project for online streaming some time before July 31st.
Another project under consideration is a number of solo recordings by members highlighting the diverse amazing vocal talent from within our very own ranks. Dr. Klotz will be developing this project and selecting soloists appropriate for the piece he has in mind to present. This project will be ongoing as resources permit.
As mentioned, we have a number of outside-the-box options open to us with how we handle rehearsals, concerts and ways to fulfill our mission of bringing great choral masterworks to the Houston Area community. I think it’s safe to say, that with the plans we have, our reach will stretch far beyond Houston!
Please continue to monitor the HCS Facebook page, the Member Dashboard and your inbox as updates become available.
Feel free to reach out directly to Dr. Klotz with any questions or ideas you may have at [email protected].
March 19, 2020
Great things await
Dear HCS Choir Members,
Monday night, the HCS Board of Directors held an emergency meeting to discuss recent developments regarding the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and the necessary efforts to minimize its spread in our community. After considering the latest guidelines issued by the CDC and their impact on our rehearsal and performance schedule, the Board of Directors made the heartbreaking decision that we are unable to safely continue our 2019-2020 concert season. As a result, our May 16 concert Happy Birthday, Beethoven! and the June 26 HCS Chamber Choir concert The Contemporaries have been cancelled. This decision was not made lightly; however, your health and the health of all of our loved ones are our highest priorities right now.
We are deeply saddened by this situation, and I know that we were all looking forward to an incredible spring concert. That said, Dr. Klotz is already working on plans for an even bigger and better Beethoven birthday celebration in the upcoming 2020-2021 Concert Season. I can assure you: Great things await!
We know you will have many questions, so here is what we do know right now.
What happens to tickets that were purchased for Happy Birthday, Beethoven! or The Contemporaries?
We are asking that ticket holders allow tickets purchased for both of these concerts to become tax-deductible donations to HCS. Additionally, for each ticket donated back to HCS, we will offer one free ticket for our first concert of the 2020-2021 Concert Season. If you have concerns or want to request a formal refund of your ticket, please contact [email protected] no later than April 30, 2020.
What do I do with my music?
We will notify you as soon as we have a plan in place, but please hold on to your music and keep it in a very safe place until you hear from us. (Maybe even send yourself an email with where you store it in case you think you might forget!)
What about my member dues?
For most members, we are asking that you allow us to keep the dues you have already paid for this year, as we will continue to have operating expenses that we must cover during this furlough. For those members who just joined HCS on Monday, March 9th, we will automatically move your payment as a credit toward the 2020-2021 Concert Season. Regardless of your member status, if you have concerns, we will do what we need to in order to make things right. Please contact Amy Ghanem at [email protected] to discuss your situation.
What about the planned fundraising auction?
We had planned to replicate last year’s fundraising auction at the Beethoven concert this May. In light of the concert being canceled, we will move this effort to the Fall to open our 2020-2021 concert season on a very strong note. All donors to-date will be contacted to ask for their permission to hold on to their donations or extend the date available (if a timeline applied). If you have questions about this effort, please contact Lane Coco at [email protected].
When is our Annual Meeting?
It will be more important than ever before to have the entire membership come to our Annual Meeting. Because this health situation is still rapidly evolving and we do not know when it will end, we have not yet set a date for this event. We will keep you posted via the email you have on file as well as our Facebook Member Page. When this information comes out, we ask that you to make every effort to attend.
What else is planned to help us stay in touch?
Although we’re not quite ready to give details yet, we are looking into hosting some virtual music to help us keep our spirits up during this social distancing time. If you’re not already subscribed to our Facebook Member page, please consider joining today. We will announce any upcoming virtual events using this platform. We also encourage you to share your musical thoughts anytime on this channel! It’s important that we stay connected, now more than ever.
How will HCS let people know?
In the next 1-2 days, we will be in the process of notifying everyone affected by this decision, including the performers for Beethoven concert, The Foundry Church, our Benefactors, Season Ticket Holders, and our general audience members, via email. We will also post appropriate information on our website and social media channels.
I still have questions!
If you have questions that are not addressed above, please reach out to Amy Ghanem at [email protected] and we will do our best to get you an answer as soon as possible. We ask for your patience as we navigate these uncharted waters.
While these times may sometimes seem isolating or scary, we hope you know that you have a musical, caring support group in HCS. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of HCS leadership if we can be of assistance. We are an extended family with much love, joy, and encouragement to give and we look forward to coming together again as soon as it is safe to do so.
Best regards,
Chad
—
Chad Searcy, Ph.D.
President, Board of Directors
Houston Choral Society
Mobile: 214.542.2855
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.houstonchoral.org
February 7, 2020
Mr. Peter Varney, former HCS Bass 2 and Music Librarian Assistant of 4 years, would like to send out a special note of gratitude and appreciation to all of you. We are very grateful for all that Pete has contributed to HCS and wish him all the best:
**********************
FROM Mr. Pete Varney –
HCS………..A WORD OF THANKS AND APPRECIATION.
Good eve, guys….I miss, so very much singing with you all…Such a group of people that bring much joy and blessings to all who sing and all who listen…….are you people, HCS…..
The last 4 yrs for me has been such a major joy singing with you and enjoying your fellowship, it really has been what God has provided for me over the years. Especially with 2 strokes under my belt and last year a heart attack and my 2nd stroke, well your prayers and just getting back with you has meant sooo much for me……..so…………THANK YOU……….
I hope, that maybe, I will be back working with you, again, not singing, but in another capacity to be with you and help you out whever I can. We will see…….it would be nice.
To close, I must say, with Kevin”s wonderful direction and all you great singers working together…….HCS will continue to move forward and really become the NBR 1 chorus around and …….known all over the country….So…God bless you all…sing with joy and love in your hearts and let’s hear some fantastic music ahead in the years to come…………..pete varney
January 26, 2020
REHEARSAL #4
Jan. 27, 2020, 7:00PM AT FOUNDRY UMC
Solo Auditions Start Tomorrow Night!
To sign up for an audition, please choose one of the slots at the link below.
Here are the available solos. Several can be sung by more than one specific voice part.
Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit – solo B
I’ll Never Turn Back No Mo – solo B
City Called Heaven – solo male or female
Steal Away – solo B + solo alto or tenor
Wade in the Water – solo female or high baritone
He Never Failed Me Yet – solo male or female
Let Everything That Hath Breath – solo female or male, or both
Email Audra Klotz, VP of Performance, with any questions you may have at [email protected].
Director’s Score Markings
The moment you have all been waiting for…Dr. Klotz’ markings have arrived! Dr. Klotz requests that we all have these markings in our scores by Monday’s rehearsal. Thank you!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IE6ecxudQ7ctHI5vSm9hL4xtl3nsuxPP
**Important** Dress Rehearsal Change Notice
Please note: The dress rehearsal for Thursday, Feb. 27th is cancelled and rescheduled to Sat., Feb. 29 from 1PM – 4PM. Call time for the performance will likely be 6PM and will be confirmed.
Dress rehearsal attendance is mandatory.
Rehearsal Seating Chart
Thank you for your patience as we work to make the seating chart an up-to-date and working link. I will notify the choir when this link is working. At the moment the information there is under construction. We are aware that space is tight in the rehearsal hall. If you have any difficulties with your current seating assignment, let your section director know.
Message from the Box Office
We have an exciting promotion that has been approved for our upcoming concert, The Gospel Spirit. We need your help getting the word out about this incredible concert!
Promotional Offer
As usual, we have Early Bird pricing, which offers $5 off each ticket’s regular price through February 15, 2020. In addition to this discount, we are offering a very special promotion: buy one ticket, get one (BOGO) FREE! To receive this offer, orders must be placed no later than February 15, 2020 (during the Early Bird pricing promotion).
Also, it’s important to understand the free ticket will be of the same value as the purchased ticket. For example, if you purchase a Senior ticket, you will get a second Senior ticket free or if you purchase a Child ticket, you will receive a second Child ticket free, etc. Ticket levels cannot be mixed for this promotion.
Starting February 16, 2020, orders for tickets can still be placed using our $2 off per ticket Friends & Family discount code: 19-04-FANDF. The BOGO offer DOES NOT APPLY after February 15, 2020, so please encourage everyone to buy tickets early to take advantage of this first-ever offer!
Concert Flyer
To let others know about this concert and this special offer, you can print your own copy of the updated concert flyer by accessing it here, or pick up pre-printed flyers at next Monday’s rehearsal.
Business Card Promotions
In addition, we will have some of the business card sized promotions you can hand out at rehearsal on January 27th.
Facebook
We will be promoting this concert via Facebook ads and on our FB page, starting the week of January 20, 2020 through the concert date. Please share/like/comment as much as you can to help us gain interest!
Email
If you or someone you know is not receiving our current emails, please direct them to this page for more information about the concert. You can subscribe to our list and see previous emails by clicking on the links at the to left corner of that page.
If you have any additional questions, please let me know, and thanks for your help in making this a well-attended event!
Volunteer Opportunities
Please email Mary Kay Buehler (A2) at [email protected] with any questions about the following open position(s):
- Houston Choral Society – Secretary of the Board of Directors: This is an official position as a member of the board of directors of HCS currently being held by interim appointment, Amy Ghanem, VP of Administration. We are looking for an individual interested in serving the remainder of this term. Please email your interest to [email protected].
- Houston Choral Society – Treasurer: This is an official position as a member of the board of directors of HCS. We are looking for an individual interested in serving the remainder of this term. Please email your interest to [email protected].
- **UPDATE** STILL OPEN — CD/Merchandise Sales Manager (Singer or Non-Singer) – This individual will be responsible for managing and staffing merchandise and CD/DVD sales at the concerts and at other times including mailing merchandise as needed. This person will be responsible for inventory management, management of pre-sale orders, and reporting inventory needs to the President at the monthly BOD meetings. This individual, preferably, would be a non-singer and available at every concert (before and after) to sell HCS merchandise*. If a singer is selected for this post, he/she will make staffing arrangements during concerts in which singer is performing. This position involves handling money, check, and credit card transactions, and appropriate accounting for cash collected. The position reports directly to President of the Board, or his designee. Multiple persons interested in this position can share responsibilities, as approved by the managing BOD representative.