Join Us
The Common Woman Chorus is a woman-positive choral community committed to musical excellence and social change. We celebrate all life styles and gender identities.
How to Join
We hold one open rehearsal each semester. Please take the opportunity to try us out during the first rehearsal of this semester in January 2009.
Performing membership is open to any woman who enjoys choral singing, can match pitch, and can commit to the chorus’s regular rehearsal schedule. Performing members rehearse weekly and learn the music to the satisfaction of the musical director before performing with the group.
Nonperforming members participate in committee and board work that augments, supports, and enhances chorus activities.
Non-Audition Policy
Performing members’ musical skills range from professional musician to untrained shower diva. Auditions are not required for most chorus activities. Our artistic director teaches the basic concepts of music and musical performance during rehearsals. She also confirms that performing members know their music to performance standard.
Rehearsal Schedule
Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Eno River Unitarian Unversalist Fellowship (4907 Garrett Road, Durham). The chorus holds occasional extra rehearsals as needed to prepare for performances, with dress rehearsals usually occurring the evening before performances. The chorus observes summer breaks, convening for a limited number of rehearsals prior to any summer singing engagements.
Members are expected to arrive on time and maintain focus on learning the music during rehearsals. Drinks are allowed in the rehearsal space but food is not. Members are responsible for helping to set out chairs before rehearsal, to put them away afterwards, and to ensure that the rehearsal space is left in order.
Performances
The chorus typically performs two musical concerts annually. In addition, the chorus also accepts a limited number of other community and collaborative engagements (e.g., NC Pride Festival, joint concerts with area choruses). Many years, the chorus also hosts a Valentine’s dance. Members are encouraged to recommend performance opportunities that further the chorus mission to the artistic director.
Concert Dress
Established performance attire is typically black slacks with black shoes, and either a long sleeved jewel-tone blouse or a chorus T-shirt, which can be purchased from a board member.
Dues
Performing membership dues of $50 per semester cover the cost of purchasing music and administrative costs. Musical arrangements are loaned to performing members during the performance period, then returned to our music archives. The chorus purchases and reproduces all such arrangements in accordance with federal copyright laws and/or formal agreements with the composers.