Practices and Procedures

YELLOW POINT SINGERS

PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES

2026 - 2027

Musical Leadership

Our choir is directed by Doug Roszmann who has been with YPS since 1999. Doug assists the singers to make good musical choices for an effective presentation. Our goal is to make beautiful music in a supportive and respectful rehearsal space. Doug volunteers his inspirational talents, for which the choir is very grateful. Pippa Williams is our much appreciated hourly-paid Accompanist. Cheryl Satre capably assists in part-time directorship. We appreciate their contributions and professionalism and respond with our commitment and enthusiasm.

Membership

We are a non-auditioning choir.
Interested singers need to contact the choir manager or director and arrange to join a few practices.
All singers are asked to commit to the semester and pay membership fees to receive a music package.
Maximum membership is 50 due to logistics regarding music library and performance venues.

Choir Practices

Members commit to Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Cedar Community Hall, 2388 Cedar Road, Nanaimo (Cedar) https://cedarcommunityhall.ca/contact-us/ Our semesters are from September to December; January to May.
Inform Section Leaders if unable to attend practices or events.
Our health is important. If you have signs of sickness or colds would you please stay home.
We are a scent free environment.
Direct musicality comments to Director; otherwise avoid talking during practice.
Wear name tags at practices.
Members are expected to check weekly music line-up to have pieces organized for practice; to save time, and clicking of binders. https://djroszmann.wixsite.com/ypsingers/page2
Occasional Sectional Practices may be organized. Attendance is voluntary, not an obligation.

Choir Music

All music and binders are to be returned by end of the final choir concert of the season, or when singers leave the choir, whichever occurs first.
Music and binders are numbered and signed out to individual members.
We ask members to take good care of the music. Musical notations may be made in ERASABLE PENCIL. Do not use highlighters. If lost or damaged, replacement costs will be levied.
Feel free to erase pencilled notes when you receive music if it doesn’t relate to you.

Choir Performances

The choir performs 2 Sunday concerts a year in May and December. We may sing 1 extra concert each session as decided by Executive before start of session.
The choir usually does sing-outs at Seniors’ homes before a concert.
participation is optional; however it is a very helpful rehearsal prior to our concert.
To create a cohesive appearance, our concert dress is:

Men:
- black dress pants & black long-sleeved dress shirts.
- yellow pocket inserts, multi-coloured or bow-ties are provided.
Women:
- black three-quarter length sleeved v-neck tops and black pants.
- yellow cowls, multi-coloured or red scarves are provided
- new members are encouraged to buy our $35 black shirt. A similar style and colour is acceptable. Contact Joan Roszmann to order.
All:
- We also have a yellow golf shirt which carries our logo for less formal gatherings and performances. This can be purchased by contacting Joan Roszmann.
- At all performances wear black closed toed shoes

Choir Workshops

Two singing workshops are held, spring and fall. The focus is upon the improvement of choir skills, including pieces of music being readied for performance.
Attendance is expected.
Venue is Hope Lutheran Church, 2174 Departure Bay Road from 9:00 am to 2:00 p.m.
Lunch is pot-luck. Hospitality Coordinators are responsible for set up and clean up.

Choir Finances

Our goal is to keep membership fees as reasonable as possible, while ensuring funds for improving our singing
Our costs include sheet music, accompanist (wages), guest performers, insurance (workshops & concerts), rental space for practice, workshop, concert venue, music library storage; cards, flowers, publicity and promotion.
Membership fees of $75 per term are payable at the start of September and again in January.
Donations are welcome any time.
New or returning members may attend 4 practices before membership fees are payable. Music is to be returned to Librarian at end of each practice until fees paid.
We base fees collected on sharing costs over the session. Withdrawing funds puts us in some jeopardy of fulfilling our set obligations; therefore, fees are not refundable.
Any member needing assistance with membership fees can approach the Treasurer. Likewise, if you would like to help out in this way, make yourself known to the Treasurer.

Choir Administration

The choir needs the active participation of all members: this includes baking cookies, transporting equipment, maintaining the music library etc. Current Positions are:

Musical Director Doug Roszmann

Assistant Director Cheryl Satre

Accompanist Pippa Williams

Co-Managers Edie Fishlock

Daphne Stabler

Music Librarians Avis Muir

Rob Waters

Treasurer Virginia Woodward

Publicity Joan Roszmann

Hospitality Coordinators: Jan Bradshaw

Alison Pavan

Extra volunteers needed at each event

Archivist Jeannette Pongratz-Doyle

BCCF Rep Daphne Stabler

Cookie Calendar Jan Bradshaw

Costume Highlights Edith Morgan

Nanaimo Sings! Liaisons Doug Roszmann

Rob Waters

Concert Ticket Sales Bruce Forward

T-Shirts Joan Roszmann

Section Leaders: duties include Sunshine and phoning members when necessary; i.e. snow days:

Soprano Anita Pangborne LaHue

Alto Edith Morgan

Alison Pavan

Tenor/Bass David Brown

Choir Meetings

Brief emerging business items are discussed at the mid-practice break as necessary on Wednesday evenings.
Information e-mails are distributed as necessary.
The AGM generally held before Fall Session includes choir members/partners and focuses on choir business. This is a time to meet and greet and enjoy a pot luck.

Choir Website

http://djroszmann.wix.com/ypsingers

This private website is administered by Doug Roszmann. It has important and helpful information for choir members.