Operations

Articles

Spending Your Postage Dollars Wisely

Frank Hood | Fundraising, Marketing/Public Relations, Operations, Recruitment, Technique/Tool

Like most choruses, you mail postcards, newsletters, reminders, and solicitations for donations on a regular basis. Unfortunately, you may be needlessly and unknowingly wasting money by not knowing enough about the costs and many options associated with mailing. The assumption that mail is just mail has never been more costly. Read more

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Navigating a Founder Transition

Smooth Sailing or Rough Seas?

Mary Ann de Barbieri | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Operations, Strategic Planning

What image comes to mind when you hear the term founder transition? Do you think tempest? Do you think sunset cruise? During my work as an arts management consultant I have encountered many organizations navigating a founder transition. This experience has given me a great deal of respect for those who have made successful founder transitions and is the basis for the observations and suggestions I share with organizations facing this important evolution. Read more

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A New Ethics Environment

Michael G. Daig... | Governance, Legal/Licensing, Management/Leadership, Operations

You may think that choruses are immune from the transformations that will result from the business and ethics crises that beset politicians and corporations. Far from it. Ethics touches every element of a modern chorus—including board, management, artists, and audience. Read more

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7 Critical Questions to Help Your Chorus Develop an Ethics Program

Michael G. Daig... | Governance, Legal/Licensing, Management/Leadership, Operations

Ask these seven questions to start laying the foundation for an ethics program for your chorus, as recommended in "A New Ethics Environment" by Michael Daigneault, Esq. Read more

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The Board's Fiduciary Responsibility

Enron Provides a Cautionary Tale

Nancy R. Axelrod | Governance, Legal/Licensing, Management/Leadership, Operations

Aggressive accounting practices used to inflate profits and hide debt, and fuzzy disclosure policies have been identified as major reasons for the breakdown in financial reporting standards at Enron. But this subterfuge raises the deeper question of how well the average board member can rely on any institutional financial statement. Read more

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When Crisis Hits Home

Steve Carr | Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Operations

A crisis is an unwelcome visitor in any organization, but you can minimize its impact with a crisis management plan—here's how to craft yours. Read more

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Symphony Choruses: Playing By Their Own Rules

John D. Sparks | Finance, Operations, Professional, Symphonic

Whether affiliated or independent, symphony choruses travel many roads to success. Read more

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Resources

Chorus Operations Survey Report (2012)

Roland Kushner | Evaluation, Finance, Fundraising, Governance, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Operations, Research/Data, Technique/Tool

Chorus America's annual survey of the operations of choruses, the Chorus Operations Survey Report includes more than 40 different analyses, from number of board meetings to board giving, from ticket pricing to chorus dues amounts, from accompanist pay practices to marketing efficiency. The 2012 report features data from the 2010-2011 season. Read more

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Navigating a Music Director Transition

An Online Seminar

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Operations, Strategic Planning, Technology

Responding to survey data that revealed that 33% of responding conductors were founding directors that anticipated retiring from their ensembles within 5-10 years, Chorus America created this online seminar, Navigating a Music Director Transition. Packed full of video interviews with leaders in the field who have addressed this transition from all different roles (departing music director, incoming music director, board president, executive director, search committee member, etc.), as well as practical worksheets and tools, the 4-part seminar is a vital resource for any choruses anticipating an artistic change. Read more

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Nonprofit Chorus Self-Evaluation Tool

Chorus America Staff | Evaluation, Governance, Legal/Licensing, Operations, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

A comprehensive evaluation tool for choruses that addresses nine areas: organizational purpose, programs & evaluation, governance, planning, fundraising, financial stability & transparency, marketing & public relations, human resources, and operations & facilities. Each section's questions are organized from legal minimums to best practices. Read more

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Chorus Operations Survey Report (2011)

Roland Kushner | Evaluation, Finance, Fundraising, Governance, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Operations, Research/Data, Technique/Tool

Chorus America's annual survey of the operations of choruses, the Operations Survey Report includes more than 40 different analyses, from number of board meetings to board giving, from ticket pricing to chorus dues amounts, from accompanist pay practices to marketing efficiency. The 2011 report features data from the 2009-2010 season. Read more

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Soloist Contract

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

Use this basic sample letter of agreement to hire vocal or instrumental soloists (or a guest ensemble). Read more

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Singer Information Form

Chorus America Staff | Operations, Recruitment, Sample/Template, Singing

Use this template as a guide for collecting useful information about new and returning singers during auditions. Read more

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Singer Handbook Table of Contents

Chorus America Staff | Operations, Performance, Rehearsal, Sample/Template, Singing

Most choruses provide singers with a handbook for participation; use this sample table of contents to make sure you haven't forgotten any policies. Read more

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Singer Audition Form

Chorus America Staff | Evaluation, Operations, Recruitment, Sample/Template, Singing

A sample form for conductors to use when evaluating potential singers. Read more

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Orchestra Contract

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

Use this basic sample contract when your chorus is retained to perform by an orchestra. Read more

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Music Director Search Audition Evaluation Form

A Sample from the Dessoff Choirs

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Evaluation, Management/Leadership, Operations, Recruitment, Sample/Template

A rating form for singers to use when evaluating all potential conductors during a search. Read more

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Events

35th Annual Conference

Minneapolis, MN

Chorus America Staff | Composing/Commissioning, Education, Governance, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Networking, Operations, Strategic Planning, Technology

Chorus America's 35th Annual Conference is not to be missed! Featuring performances by nine of Minnesota's premier choruses, a massed youth choir, a morning sing with Garrison Keillor, and keynote speakers Marilyn Carlson Nelson and Melanie de More, among others, this Conference will inspire and educate. Read more