Learning Leadership

Many choral directors take on administrative responsibility with little formal preparation. Here are strategies to excel in the office and boardroom as well as the concert hall.Read more

10 New Ways Your Chorus Can Use Facebook and Twitter

Whether your chorus is a 150-member children's choir or an eight-member a cappella group, social media can be a powerful tool for staying in touch with your members and your audience. Here are some new ideas to help keep your Facebook and Twitter...Read more

10 Tips for Engaging Your Board

It's really the staff's job to position the board to do their best work―and most of that boils down to excellent communication and clarity of expectations.Read more

The Art of Strategic Alliances

When do partnerships add value and when do they distract from a chorus’s mission? Philadelphia’s venerable Mendelssohn Club explores the spectrum of collaboration, from artistic to administrative.Read more

Member Spotlight: Brett Stover, Giving Time and Talent as a Member of the Board

Brett Stover grew up singing in choirs and has served on the boards of an array of music and arts groups in Cincinnati. Now he brings his business savvy and love of the performing arts to Chorus America's Board of Directors. "The more people who are...Read more

Management & Governance

Chorus America strengthens the governance, management, marketing, fundraising, and operations of choruses by providing practical tools, templates, training, and strategies for its administrative and board leaders. We track the annual operations of choruses, identify best practices and assessment tools, and help our members build audiences for choral music.

Articles

Why Not a Sabbatical?

Gayle Ober | Governance, Management/Leadership

Sabbaticals are being used by more nonprofits as an effective tool to retain and reward the best executive talent. Read more

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The Road to Chorus Management

Matthew Sigman | Management/Leadership

As the profession of chorus management matures, managers are finding new ways into their careers. Read more

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A Chorus Treasurer’s Eight Key Responsibilities

Dennis Walsh | Finance, Governance

The majority of choruses in North America are all-volunteer organizations, from the singers who give their musical talent to the board members who run the organization. This poses special challenges for the treasurer in safeguarding and managing the finances. Here is a guide to keep your chorus transparent and accountable. Read more

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Building Audiences Today

Six Sure Strategies for Effective Marketing and Ticketing

Mark Shugoll | Audiences, Diversity, Marketing/Public Relations, Research/Data, Social Media

How can choruses stay competitive in the quest for audience in a fast-changing world of busy lifestyles, cultural glut, home theaters, and web-based entertainment options? And how do we make the face of our audience younger and more colorful? Here are six strategies gleaned from recent research in arts marketing. Read more

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Give and Get...Gone?

Matthew Sigman | Fundraising, Governance, Volunteer

Assembling the ideal board is less about fundraising prowess and more about about balancing the right skills. Read more

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A Strong Brand Is Essential to Success

Brandon C. Walsh | Governance, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations

A strong brand is no longer just "nice-to-have" for cultural organizations—it's a necessity. It can engender loyalty, create advocates and ambassadors, and, when needed, provide a margin for forgiveness. Here's how to build your master brand. Read more

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A Chorus Guide to Getting the Right Permissions

Matthew Sigman | Government/Policy, Legal/Licensing, Technique/Tool

Securing the rights to perform, commission, record, or distribute music gets more complicated with every technological advance—here are basic guidelines to keep your chorus on the right side of legal. Read more

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Preparing for Your Audit

Eric Fraint | Finance, Governance, Operations

There are good reasons to have an audit even if it is not legally required. Audits provide an objective financial view of your organization. A few simple steps can make the process go more smoothly and keep the costs down. Read more

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Leading the Development Committee

Catherine Dehoney | Fundraising, Governance, Technique/Tool

Have you been asked to serve as the chair of development committee? Here's what you need to know to tackle this important job and ensure the future of your chorus. Read more

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Fresh Voices: Recruiting the Next Generation of Board Leaders

David Styers | Diversity, Governance, Recruitment, Volunteer

Choruses are waking up to the fact that recruiting and nurturing young leaders may be critical to filling a growing nonprofit leadership shortage, especially at the board level. Here's how you can put the unique talents and perspectives of young professionals to work for your chorus—and keep the leadership pipeline full. Read more

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Resources

Articles of Incorporation Template

Chorus America Staff | Governance, Legal/Licensing, Operations, Sample/Template

Use this template as a guide for your chorus. Read more

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Access and Accommodation Resources

Chorus America Staff | Diversity, Legal/Licensing, Operations, Singing, Technique/Tool

A list of resources to help choruses provide reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA regulations. Read more

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Individual Board Member Responsibilities

Chorus America Staff | Fundraising, Governance, Sample/Template

When recruiting new board members and engaging existing board members, it is vital to provide a clear list of individual responsibilities. Use this template as a starting place. Read more

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Grantwriting: Crafting an Effective Case Statement

Chorus America Staff | Community Outreach, Fundraising, Impact/Value, Sample/Template

Writing grant proposals or even a simple appeal letter is always a challenge. These sample paragraphs may help you as you are trying to "make the case" for your chorus. Read more

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Commissioning Timeline

Chorus America Staff | Composing/Commissioning, Operations, Sample/Template

Commissioning a new work? Follow this two-year timeline to help plot out which steps you should take when. This timeline is appropriate for a work that does not involve complicated instrumental requirements or multiple movements. Read more

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'Music Director Transition' Tool: Where to Publicize the Search

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Marketing/Public Relations, Operations, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

A list of chorus- and arts-specific job boards. Read more

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'Music Director Transition' Tool: Sample Search Timeline

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Operations, Sample/Template, Strategic Planning

A sample timeline to help with music director search planning. Read more

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'Music Director Transition' Tool: Readiness Quiz

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Operations, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

Is your chorus ready for a founder transition? This 9-question quiz will help you determine the answer. Read more

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'Music Director Transition' Tool: Orientation Materials Checklist

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Operations, Sample/Template, Strategic Planning

A checklist of documents and organizational background to prepare for the incoming music director. Read more

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'Music Director Transition' Tool: Developing a Communications Plan

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Marketing/Public Relations, Sample/Template, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

A worksheet to help choruses communicate to all constituents in the event of an artistic founder transition. Read more

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Events

Purcell The Indian Queen

Boston, MA

Handel and Hayd... | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Awards, Careers, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Diversity, Education, Families, General, Impact/Value, Performance, Singing, Symphonic, Venue

H&H presents a program of comedy, romance, intrigue, and beautiful music with this dramatic semi-opera and scenes from other Purcell works. Read more

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Chorus Management Institute 2012

Indianapolis, IN

Chorus America Staff |

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DeKalb Choral Guild Gala Celebration

Sandy Springs, GA

DeKalb Choral Guild | Fundraising

Black Tie Gala celebration in support of the DeKalb Choral Guild -your premier community chorus in DeKalb County GA. Read more

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Fundraiser for The Northern Virginia Chorale

12193 Fair Lakes Promenade Dr., Fairfax VA

Susanne Cook | Fundraising

The Northern Virginia Chorale will have a fundraiser at Barnes and Noble, 12193 Fair Lakes Promenade Dr., Fairfax, VA, on March 17, 2012. We will be performing between 10 AM and 2 PM. There will be activities for children: face painting and bookmark making, and also members will read to the children. The music and activities will have a St. Patrick's theme. We appreciate your support at any time that day (and for five days thereafter online) by using our voucher #10683035, which will give the Chorale a percentage of sales. Read more

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Dialogue

Age Discrimination?

Anonymous |

Giving ticket discounts to seniors and students is a widespread practice, but should we be concerned about age discrimination? Read more

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Related Terms

Rehearsal

Government/Policy

Networking

History

Fundraising

Profile

Legal/Licensing

Volunteer

Participation

Research/Data

Please visit the 2013 Conference Website for information.

Enjoy Seattle’s First Online Choral Music Channel

In celebration of Chorus America’s Annual Conference coming to the Pacific Northwest, Classical KING FM has launched Seattle’s first all-choral music channel online at www.king.org. Listen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for music from top choral groups, including winners of Chorus America’s Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence.