Chorus North Shore Singer's Update - July 2023

After more than two years of sitting on the bench, Chorus North Shore has had much change and progress. We managed to return to rehearsal, albeit with some restrictions. We have given 3 performances with one of our most memorable a tribute to Sunny that we will stay with us forever. We found a new Artistic Director, Abby Frost, who is certain to carry on the Chorus North Shore tradition of high-quality performances with an eye toward the future. And we have an energetic Board of Trustees working to update and streamline the inner workings of Chorus North Shore.

We will return to Ipswich High School on September 11, 2023 starting at 7:00 pm to begin rehearsing for next December’s performance. Abby has been working with Trish, our music librarian, to procure Rutter’s “Gloria” and Pinkham’s “Christmas Cantata”. Watch for more rehearsal and concert details soon.

Masks and proof of vaccine will no longer be required for rehearsal or performances but are optional. We will also return to our pre-COVID practice of one mid-rehearsal break.

Before rehearsals start in September, Abby is hoping to get to know Chorus North Shore on a more personal level. We will be holding “Meet and Greet” events this summer. These will be outdoor gatherings at the homes of Abby Frost and Suzanne Munroe. Very casual with snacks, lawn games and possibly singing. Thank you both Abby and Suzanne.

Anyone interested in helping with these events please contact Annmarie Baldisserotto ab869@outlook.com. Invite to follow.

Congratulations on a very successful year,

Donn Kurjan, President

by CNS Staff

May 6 Update

Important reminders:

Tickets:

• Please bring ticket money to Monday’s rehearsal. Penny and Anne will still take money at other rehearsals but we want to cut down on grid lock when we are at the church.

Dates:

May 8, 2023 7:30 pm

• Monday Rehearsal at Ipswich High School
• Ticket distribution/receipts starting at 7pm

May 10, 2023 7:30 pm

• Wednesday Orchestra Rehearsal at Our Lady of Hope Church, Pineswamp Rd., Ipswich
• Please set up your own chair facing Sunny like our last rehearsal at OLOH
• Ticket receipts starting at 7pm.

May 11,2023 7:30pm

• Thursday Dress rehearsal at Our Lady of Hope Church Pine swamp Rd., Ipswich.
• Attendance is required. Don’t wear concert attire but do wear comfortable shoes.
• Ticket sales receipts returned to Ticket Committee.

May 13, 2023 Down beat at 6pm. Concert at 7pm.

• Performance at Our Lady of Hope.
• Parking is always at a premium on the night of the performance. Please carpool or park on School St. and enjoy a 4-minute walk to the church.
• There will also be a professional photographer at our concert to take photographs. She might come downstairs to take photos of our soloists before we come upstairs. Photos will later be available on-line

Coming Events:

• As we close in on our May concert, work is going on in the back ground for CNS future endeavors.
• Sunny’s Retirement Party – Save the date Saturday, October 14th starting at 5pm at Ascension Memorial Church-Boone Hall, Ipswich MA. Tickets will be limited and advanced purchase only. More to come.
• Winter 2023 concert –If you know you will be singing with us in the Fall, please let me know so we can estimate how much music we will need to order once Abby finalizes her choices.
• Rehearsal and concert dates coming soon.

See you Monday!

by CNS Staff

April 29th Update

A few reminders for Monday

• CNS will be holding our Annual Meeting this Monday during rehearsal break.
• There will also be a 50/50 raffle.

COVID Update

As has been our policy, we are letting you know that one of our altos, Kate Stevens in the Alto section has tested positive for COVID. She felt symptoms on Wednesday and tested positive for COVID on Friday.

I believe she sits on the top row, middle. If anyone was in close contact with Kate and is feeling unwell, please test to ensure you are negative.

The CNS protocol for those who test positive is a 10-day quarantine from rehearsal, an absence of symptoms without fever-reducing medications and a negative test within 48 hours of returning to rehearsal.

See you Monday.

by CNS Staff

Update December 2022

As the year draws to a close, we are able to look back at our first Holiday Season Concert in three years; a huge success by all accounts. We are now looking forward to the start of our second semester. Starting January 23, 2023, we will resume rehearsal of next season’s masterworks:

• Mozart’s “Coronation Mass”
• Haydn’s “Te Deum”
• “The Heavens are Telling” from the Coronation
• “Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken”
• “The Spacious Firmament”

These selections will be performed Saturday, May 13, 2023

Applications for those not already enrolled are being accepted until January 9, 2023 by contacting Annmarie Baldisseratto at ab869@outlook.com.

This year’s criteria for joining Chorus North Shore are the same as last year.

• Singers must show proof of being fully vaccinated with at least one booster
• Singers are required to wear N95 or KN95 masks upon entry into the rehearsal venue, Ipswich High School, and for the entire time they are inside the school
• A cap will be placed on the total number of singers based on the overall response. Those that exceed the limit will be placed on a wait list. Applicants will be accepted on a first come first serve basis

Wishing you all a Joyous Holiday Season and a Happy New Year,

Donn Kurjan, President

by CNS Staff

October 2022 Announcements

Fellow Singers,

Just a few reminders:

• The 50/50 raffle will be held this coming Monday, October 3,2022 $5.00/ticket. Two winning tickets will be drawn.
• October 10, 2022, is Columbus Day; there will be no rehearsal
• We are still accepting nominations for anyone interested in becoming a member of the CNS Board of Trustees.

December Performance

Our December Performance is just two months away. There is much to be accomplished in that short period of time. Please start thinking of who you can approach to be a CNS sponsor or an advertiser in the program. Also, who might wish to attend and require a ticket.

We need volunteers

• on the day of the performance to manage the ticket table/will-call/merchandise sales and ushers, at least four. These jobs need to be filled by non-singers.
• A driver skilled to operate the truck and trailer that contains the risers and Sunny’s podium for both the dress rehearsal and return after the performance (or Monday)
• Additional members of the riser crew

COVID

Another member of CNS has tested positive for COVID-19 - Susan Munroe, an alto, tested positive today. Susan sits in the third row behind Laura Dietz and in front of Anne Mills. Susan, we wish you a speedy and complete recover. Please refer to CNS COVID-19 policy if you feel unwell or, in fact, test positive.

Please remember to wear your mask the entire time you are in IHS, not just while singing.

See you Monday,
Donn Kurjan

by CNS Staff

Bank of Gloucester

Fellow CNS Singers:

I am writing to encourage you take action regarding the opportunity from Bank Gloucester. This Month BankGloucester will donate a total of $30,000 to community organizations on Cape Ann. They are looking to the community to choose who the recipients will be.

CNS could potentially acquire up to $5000 if enough votes are cast for Chorus North Shore. Voting ends Sept. 30, 2022, at 6:00pm. Please take a few minutes to cast your vote and encourage family, friends and relatives to do the same.

Go to the website www.bankgloucester.com

1. Once on the website, click on the green VOTE TODAY button
2. Under organizations, click OTHER and type in Chorus North Shore

Being awarded any portion of these funds would go a long way in supporting our 2023FY budget.

Thanks,

Donn Kurjan
President
Chorus North Shore

by CNS Staff

Pre-Registration August 27th

We are very excited and looking forward to starting our season with the ever-popular Handel’s Messiah.

A reminder about Pre-registration this Saturday and Rehearsal guidelines.  Please review the information below to allow for smooth reentry in to our first rehearsal on September 12, 2022.

Pre-Registration:

Pre-Registration will take place on Saturday, August 27 from 9 am -12 N at the Ascension Memorial Church, 31 County Road, Ipswich, MA.

Please stop by anytime to pay dues, pick up your music and show proof of vaccination if necessary.

Please make sure to bring

1. Proof of full vaccination and one booster. Screen shots of vaccinations are acceptable. (Required only for those who did not sing with us in June)
2. Dues and music fees: (Have two checks ready, payable to Chorus North Shore with “dues” and “music” on the memo lines respectively. Cash should be the exact amount. )

• Dues             $60 ($30 for new members)
• Music

Rehearsal Guidelines: 

• The first Rehearsal only will begin 7:00pm to review logistics.  Thereafter, they will begin at 7:30pm sharp. Please be in your seat and ready to sing at 7:30 pm. Please do your vocal warm up in car to save rehearsal time.
• Please maintain social distancing while singing and during breaks.
• Mandatory sign-in at each rehearsal.
• Once a singer has established their seat at the first rehearsal, that seat will be theirs for each rehearsal going forward (necessary for possible contact tracing).
• Rehearsal will be broken into 30-minute sessions with 10-minute breaks in between. During rehearsal break, please leave the room.
• N-95 or KN95 mask must always be worn while indoors. Both nose and mouth must always be covered. Singing Masks must meet the same filtration standards as N95 and KN95 masks, 95% efficiency for the most penetrating particle size (0.1-0.3 microns)

Please be advised, the COVID-19 pandemic has been an ever-changing phenomenon and, as such, we too, may be required to alter our policies in the months ahead to ensure the safety of all of Chorus North Shore

by CNS Staff

August 2022 Monthly Update

As September approaches, Chorus North Shore is about to enter our first full year of rehearsal and performance since 2019. We are very excited and looking forward to starting our season with the ever-popular Handel’s Messiah.

We have made a few changes that will, hopefully, simplify rehearsal but not at the expense of safety. We will continue to strive for a three-foot distance between singers.

Recent data has shown that there is no difference in droplet concentrations up to 30 minutes. As a result, we will rehearse in 30-minute segments followed by exiting for 10-minute periods of air exchange. Masks will still be required upon entry into Ipswich High School. We have capped the number of singers at 77 with a wait list should there be some attrition. You can be added to the wait list by e-mailing Annmarie Baldisserotto at ab869@outlook.com.

Please be advised, the COVID-19 pandemic has been an ever-changing phenomenon and, as such, we too, may be required to alter our policies in the months ahead to ensure the safety of all of Chorus North Shore.

Donn Kurjan, President
Board of Trustees
Chorus North Shore

by CNS Staff