Hope you all had an enjoyable weekend!  Please FILL OUT THIS FORM and let us know ASAP whether you are available for our additional outreach performance opportunities.

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Here are the details for the gigs that Caleb mentioned last Thursday.
1. Sunday, Nov. 2 – Open Door Food Pantry Benefit Concert in Hamilton, Ohio. This is a concert to raise money for the Open Door Food Pantry in Hamilton. The concert is hosted by the Presbyterian Church of Hamilton (Caleb’s church, Jacob is the choir director there). We have been asked to sing for 15 minutes as a part of the concert. Our day of events would be the following:
2:00pm – Sound check
3:00pm – concert begins (we are second in the lineup)

2. Sunday, Dec. 14 – Concert collaboration with the Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band in Middletown High School. We will sing a couple selections on our own and then also sing together on a couple songs, including “Battle Hymn of the Republic” (one of our selections for the spring).  Arrive at Middletown HS at 1:30. Warm-up at 1:45.  Concert starts at 2:30.
Rehearsal – Thursday, Dec. 11 – (about an hour)

3. Additional potential opportunities that don’t have dates yet (we’ll survey your availability once we have more details): 

   Concert at The Kenwood by Senior Star.  

   Performance at Twin Lakes.  

   Caroling at Findlay Market

   Performance at Christkindlmarkt at The Banks (by Christian Moerlein Brewery).

WINE SCHOOL FUNDRAISER – Continue to invite your friends and family to our fundraiser on Oct 19!  It’s going to be SO much fun!  The flyer is attached.  To go directly to the reservation form, CLICK HERE.  

ITALY TRAVEL UPDATES

We expect to have the information packet later today.  It will be sent out separately.  Regardless of how you stated your interest in the trip earlier this summer, all are welcome!  Please take a look!

CONCERT ATTIRE

Women:  Thanks to the ladies who brought in dresses and jackets last week. They will be returned at the Sep 18 rehearsal. We have just about everyone sized and will order new dresses and jackets soon.  PLEASE make sure your dress and jacket fit!  Now is the best time to order anything new if needed. 

Men:  You should have received an email from Josh W about tuxes.  Please respond to him asap if you need a tux so that you can have everything by the first concert (potentially as early as NOVEMBER 2).

ABSENCE REPORTING  Google Form  Let us know in advance if you can’t make a rehearsal

REHEARSAL NOTES (direct link here). If you have missed a rehearsal, please have your markings in your music by the following week!

REHEARSAL TRACKS Google drive link  

CHORUS ROSTER member roster Is everything correct in this file for you?  Email corrections to Mary Wynn

PHOTO DIRECTORY photo directory  – Send new photos to me if you want to update your look!

All of the links above are also accessed through the choir member page of our website.  I hope you’ve written that password down somewhere.  

COMPOSER – RACHEL GORE!

Congrats to Rachel for finishing her song.  You may remember singing through part of it at a rehearsal last spring.  We attach the sheet music and a song track for those that wish to listen! 

“BLESSING BAGS” – Following up on Julie Ferron’s request for her Symmes families’ needs…. The suggested food list is attached to this message.  Donations can be dropped off at Sycamore Pres any week when you come for rehearsal. For monetary donations, you may either go to the Sycamore Bridges giving page or the Sycamore Presbyterian Church page.   Either way, make sure to indicate that your donation is for SYMMES ELEMENTARY BLESSING BAGS.  Thank you!

CALENDAR

Sept 28 – SCS Golf Outing – contact Paul Alexander to register

October 19, 4:00-7:00 @Terwilliger Lodge:  SCS “Wine School” Fundraiser

November 2, 2:00-4:00  Open Door Benefit Concert

Dec 2, 6:30-9:30 – Dress Rehearsal

Dec 4 & 5, 7:30 Concerts!

December 14, SW OH Symphonic Band Concert (rehearsal on Dec 11).

OUTSIDE MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES

Cincinnati has a wealth of concert offerings, and we love to share some of these events, especially ones that include some of our members!  Please send information about your upcoming performances to share with everyone.

Sep 27, 2:00 pm Cincinnati Sound Chorus “From the Heart of It All”  International Sendoff Concert  FREE @  ARCO Performing Arts Center  3301 Price Ave  45205

Sep 27 7:30 pm and Sep 28 (2:00 pm)  Cincinnati Pops with May Festival Chorus:  Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy.  If you are a gamer, this concert is for you – live music coordinated with video from the game series!  

Phew!  I think that’s it… Looking forward to another great rehearsal!

Mary Wynn

Hiya!  Lots of NEW information since last week’s message.  Gotta read it!

URGENT NEED

Caleb is looking for 2 people each on Tues/ Thursday this week to welcome the people coming to audition.  If you are available about 6:30-8:30 either night, please fill out this SIGN-UP.  Thank you!

REMINDER

These email messages will also be posted on the member website.  If you can’t find important information, or you need to remind yourself of something, check the Posts.  (Once again, the password is   TENTHyear!  )

AUDITIONS…

… are this week!  There are still a few time slots on Aug 19 and 21.  Go to the website homepage for directions on how to register for an audition.  If you are on Facebook or Instagram, like and share the post about auditions!

FIRST REHEARSAL

Our first rehearsal will be on Thursday, August 28 at Sycamore Pres.  Please plan to come early (any time after 6:00 pm) for a casual meet and greet, to pay your annual dues, and to pick up your music for this semester.  Rehearsal will begin at 7:00 pm.

Our social committee is planning to have cookies available during the meet & greet (starting at 6:00).  If you would like to bring a tray of cookies to share, please contact Susan Crabill.

PALESTRINA’S ADORAMUS TE

Please fill out this quick survey and let us know if you have a legit copy.  Peggy will order more as needed.

DUES

Your annual membership dues should be paid at or before our first rehearsal.  You may bring a check (payable to Sycamore Community Singers) or cash in the amount of $100.  We can also take credit cards at rehearsal.  If you would like to pay online, please Venmo $100 to @MaryWynn-Haupt.  The QR code is attached.  (Yep, we’re using a personal Venmo acct to avoid the service fee….)

POLO SHIRTS

If you borrowed a polo shirt for our June performance at The Seasons, please bring it with you to the first rehearsal to “return to owner.”  If you donated a shirt, please plan to pick it up and take it home with you.  I have a basket-full of shirts that I plan to return!

ABSENCE REPORTING & ATTENDANCE

If you know you will be missing a rehearsal, please continue to report it ahead of time on this Google Form.  The link is also posted on the member pages right above the email posts.  Remember to check in with your section attendance-taker each week:
Sop – Kathryn Rosenberg
Alto – Lorie Stuart
Tenor – Joel Kling
Bass – Paul Inderhees

YOUR INFORMATION

The member roster has been updated (Link on the member page).  New people will be added as soon as I get names!  I have marked whether you are a “1” or a “2” within your section.  Please double-check that your information is correct, and let me know if something needs to be changed!

BYLAWS 

Please review the Member Guidelines which are on page 3 of the Handbook as a reminder of good rehearsal etiquette.  It is attached for your convenience.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED 

In an effort to spread the wealth and encourage more choir members to become involved in operations, we encourage you to consider joining a committee!   Contact any board member (or reply to this message) to offer your assistance.

Marketing, 10-yr anniversary planning, Social, Fundraising & Grants, Scholarship, Sunshine and Financial are current committees.

ITALY TRAVEL UPDATES

We are progressing in our plans for next summer!  Based on your feedback, we will offer a 4-day extension to the week-long travel.  Once sign-up begins, we will need at least 30 people to add the extension in order to offer it.  At this time, it appears we will have about 60 people traveling (approx 45 singers and 15 spouses/guests).  Actual registration will begin very soon with an initial deposit of $500/person due on Sept 15.

Food donations – SPC and Symmes

Julie Ferron is asking for additional assistance with her Food Bag program to support students and families at Symmes Elementary.  This is the SAME program that Sycamore Presbyterian supports (Blessing Bags).  You all were very generous in providing items last spring.  Julie has let us know that a major source of her funding for the program is evaporating and she is looking for additional support going forward with both food donations and financial support.  Julie will plan to talk briefly to the choir (possibly at our Sep 4 rehearsal).  

Fa-la-la-la!  (Just getting you in the mood for Holiday music!)

Mary Wynn

 Director’s Notes 

Hi Everyone!

This Thursday we will be tightening up our guys and girls pieces, as well as “I Love You/What A Wonderful World” and “It Takes A Village”.

Please make sure you sign up for an audition spot that is still available. If there are no more available, let me know and we will make time to audition.

Keep up the great work! We are making great progress every rehearsal and I am so excited to show everyone the work you all have been putting in!

Caleb

 Harmony Project Update  

Hopefully if you are planning to attend, you have already followed THIS LINK to register yourself!  The learning tracks for the music are also posted on this page.

 Admin Notes 

We sadly share that Bob Young’s wife Rhonda passed away yesterday (Jen Rollins’ mother-in-law).  The announcement from Sycamore Presbyterian Church is attached.

TICKET SALES  There are only FIVE weeks until our concerts and as of 3/18 we have only sold 7% of our available tickets!  Please continue to promote our concerts by calling/texting/emailing your friends and family, and sharing our Facebook and Instagram posts.  Please be sure to include a link to our website or the QR code (on the poster) in your communications. Thanks!  
https://sycamorecommunitysingers.com/tickets/

Schedule conflict?  Please let us know through this form.  If you have a last-minute need to miss rehearsal, it is better to communicate directly with your section’s attendance taker.  

 Casual Attire Guidelines:     Women’s Attire    Men’s Attire

 SPC OUTREACH:  Sycamore Presbyterian Church has a community outreach to Symmes Elementary and Loveland Elementary that prepares bags of non-perishable food for needy kids.  Pick up some items while shopping and bring them to rehearsal.  There are bins under the SERVE sign in the lobby for donations to be placed.   The attached photo lists suggested items to donate.  Questions to Don/Lorie Stuart or Jill Yust.  Julie Ferron is the school nurse at Symmes Elementary and may also lend additional information about the needs.

RSVP to our post-concert party at the Rosenbergs!  If you did not receive the Evite invitation (sent 3/6 at 6:30), email Sally Alexander.  Plus ones/spouses are welcomed and encouraged to attend the party.  Please reply as a count of “2” on the Evite invitation if you’re bringing a non-choir member guest.

 Music in the Community 

THIS WEEKEND:  

Saturday, March 22, 4:00 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.  May Festival Chamber Choir and May Festival Youth Chorus concert.Online tickets are no longer available, but there may be additional entries allowed at the door for this free concert.  

Cincinnati Choral Society presents an all-a cappella program of American hymns and spirituals. The repertoire will feature classic selections by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw, alongside innovative arrangements by Moses Hogan. All concerts are free.
Sunday April 27 3:00 PM at Indian Hill Episcopal-Presbyterian Church, 6000 Drake Rd 45243
Sunday May 4 3:00 PM at St Barnabas Church, 10345 Montgomery Rd 45242
Members: Burt Bruce, Paul Inderhees

If you know of additional community events to share, please send them to Mary Wynn (reply to this email) by Sunday for inclusion in that week’s newsletter.