One of the things that will give your chorus the best chance to persuade guests to come back to future chorus rehearsals and eventually audition and join is to provide some good, quality materials to the guest that she can take home with her and read at her leisure.
Below you'll find a table of ideas of what to do each week in welcoming guests to your chorus. This schedule is based on 6 weeks of rehearsals before the guest auditions, but it can be easily adapted for other time frames. The links provided in the left column lead to the text of sample handouts you can give to your guests each week before (and after) she auditions. Please feel free to cut and paste information from these handouts for use in your chorus.
|
Week # |
Activities for Guest |
Materials for Guest |
Follow-up |
| Week 1 | Guest fills out Prospective Member Record
Voice Test w/ Director Place guest on risers Introduce guest to the chorus |
Welcome/intro sheet
Chorus Glossary Singing Barbershop Harmony brochure from International |
Director sends a postcard to the guest during the week |
| Week 2 | Re-place guest on risers if necessary
Introduce guest to her section leader(s) Introduce guest to the chorus |
Week #2 Sheet
Audition Info Sheet Music for audition songs Tape for audition songs |
Membership chair calls/e-mails guest during the week |
| Week 3 | Guest goes over any questions on audition music w/ section leader
Introduce guest to the chorus Discuss possible practice audition w/ guest |
Week #3 Sheet
Chorus/region/international Info Sheet |
Assigned "big sister" calls/e-mails guest during the week |
| Week 4 | Introduce guest to the chorus
Possible first practice audition |
Week #4 Sheet
Dues/creative finance sheet |
Big sister contacts guest during the week |
| Week 5 | Introduce guest to the chorus
Practice audition |
Week #5 Sheet
By-laws & Standing Rules |
Big sister contacts guest during the week |
| Week 6 | Introduce guest to the chorus
Audition with Music Committee |
Week #6 Sheet
Who's Who? Sheet |
Let guest know results of audition; if she leaves before decision is made, have Director call her |
| After Audition/ Before Vote | Introduce guest to the chorus
Guest turns in membership application & check |
Congrats on Audition Sheet
Copy of current chorus roster |
n/a – just make sure guest knows that her membership will be voted |
| Week of Vote | Chorus votes on guest's membership and applauds for her when she returns | Welcome to our newest member! Sheet
Guest can take home her music from the guest folder |
Make sure chorus leaders know new member's name & contact info |
