Frequently Asked Questions for the 2012 - 2013 Season

When is the first rehearsal?

Monday, September 10, 2012

Where does SANS rehearse?
Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont Street in Belmont.

What time is rehearsal?
Rehearsals begin promptly at 7:15 p.m. and conclude at 9:45 p.m., with a break and time for announcements. Please arrive at 7:00 p.m. to gather music and information.

What will the musical repertoire be for 2012–2013?
The SANS Music Director chooses the music in conjunction with the SANS Music Committee. Repertoire choices for the season will be introduced at the first rehearsal. Additional pieces may be added throughout the year. The music we sing ranges from classical to Broadway, spirituals to folk. Each year, we learn some music of the country and cultures to which we will be traveling. We’ve sung in English, Estonian, Latvian, Russian, French, Italian, Afrikaans, Chinese, Zulu, Yiddish, Spanish, Vietnamese, Portuguese, and other languages.

Are auditions necessary?
Auditions are not typically necessary.

What are the membership dues for the year?
SANS annual membership dues are $225 and include the cost of each singer’s music.
Membership dues need to be paid after attending three rehearsals. Under special circumstances, an alternate payment arrangement may be made with the SANS Treasurer.

Is it possible to join for part of the year?
SANS is a full-year chorus. Singers join for the year, rather than for the season. Membership dues are paid for the full year. There is no partial year fee.

Am I required to attend all rehearsals?
We encourage attendance at all rehearsals, but understand that occasional absences may be necessary. Consistent attendance is taken into consideration for concert participation.

Is it okay to attend rehearsals if I will not be going on the tour?
Yes. If you will be singing in the concerts, but not going on the tour, you are welcome to sing with SANS throughout the season.

Is it okay to attend SANS rehearsals if I will not be singing in any concerts or going on the trip?
SANS is a singing organization, and a serious chorus, working toward concerts and a tour. It is difficult for the director to get a sense of how we are progressing as a group if singers are participating in rehearsal, but not joining us for concerts. Therefore, we ask that members commit to concerts if they are joining SANS for the year.

What is the size of SANS?
The rehearsal chorus typically ranges 50–80 members. The membership of Sharing A New Song is much larger, but not all sing every year. The traveling chorus is typically about 50.

Can you arrange transportation to and from rehearsal for me?
SANS rehearses at Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont Street in Belmont. It is accessible by T and parking is available. Members are responsible for arranging their own transportation.

What are the dates of the trip to Puerto Rico?
Trip dates will be announced when trip plans are finalized.

What is the cost of the trip to Puerto Rico?
Trip costs will be announced when the trip plans are finalized.

When will I need to commit to go on the trip to Puerto Rico?
Interest in the Puerto Rico tour is great, so if you are interested, you will need to let us know soon after the trip information is made available.

What is the itinerary of the trip to Puerto Rico?
The SANS Trip Committee is currently developing the itinerary. Details will be announced at a later date. This will be Sharing A New Song’s first tour to Puerto Rico. SANS trips emphasize collaboration and connecting with people—this means that trips frequently focus on visiting non-tourist locations, sometimes “off the beaten path”. Trips will contain many authentic experiences, and although we recognize the importance of sightseeing and learning about other countries and cultures, our focus is on interacting with South Africans.

Will anyone who is interested be able to go on the trip to Puerto Rico? 
In order to meet Sharing A New Song’s mission of making meaningful connections with those we meet in other countries, we plan to travel with a group of 50–60 singers. SANS will accept applications from all interested members, and will choose a balanced chorus from that list. We seek a balance of voice parts, and also of diversity of all kinds (socio-economic, age, race, gender, etc).

What is the mission of Sharing A New Song?
Sharing A New Song celebrates the human spirit through choral music. Reaching across social and political boundaries to other countries and within the United States, Sharing A New Song promotes intercultural understanding and lasting relationships.

For additional information, please write to: admin@sharinganewsong.org