ABC's of Joining Redmond Chorale

 

The ABC’s of joining Redmond Chorale

 a wordy blog 

for those

 detail oriented people 

who want to know what is involved in joining a choir

 If you are interested in joining Redmond Chorale, or have an interest in being a part of a community choir, but don't know what that means, this is for you!

Audition: Come to one of the first two rehearsals each season and stay afterward to audition. Our fall session starts Labor Day Monday night.  Rehearsal starts at 7, come early the first or second week to sign in.  This lets you get a taste of the music and our director's style, and lets you sample before you commit.  If you are just checking us out, you can borrow music for the evening and turn it in at the end of the night. Dr. Hughes auditions folks in a easy non-intimidating manner at the end of the first two rehearsals.

Be Present: If you decide to commit, the expectation is that you would come to as many of the 12 or so rehearsals prior to the concert as you are able too. Rehearsals are on Mondays at 7-9pm at Meadowbrook Church in Redmond. To participate in performances requires missing no more than three rehearsals in a 12 week rehearsal schedule. Tech/dress rehearsals on "Redmond Chorale weekend" are mandatory.  These are generally the Saturday mornings prior to Sunday concert days.  Many times there may be an auxiliary concert on that Saturday afternoon or Sunday afternoon prior to the main concert. It varies by season.  Exact details usually firm up within the first few weeks of rehearsal. Like any other organization you join, other people are counting on you and singing in a choir is a group activity and we need you to be present.

Contribute:  Redmond Chorale uses its concert proceeds to benefit non profit community partners.  Suggested donations by choir members help pay for choir costs such as music, musicians, minor office and administrative costs and to keep things running. Your donation allows us to give back more to our partners.

Suggested donations per season are

 *$75.00 plus 1 hour of service  (additional family members $35/season + 1 hour of service)

That comes to $25.00 a month + 20 mins of service or $225.00 a year + 3 hours of service

Less than a gym membership and provides more joy! And many employers match your donation that  make Redmond Chorale possible.

 

Redmond Chorale at Redmond Lights inside City Hall 2010

__________________________________________

“Wow, I have been wanting to 

join a group like this for years 

and here it is in my own back 

yard. So glad I found you, 

Redmond Chorale!” Ruth G

______________________________________

*subject  to change

For The Kids

It is an awesome thing with two great ideas come together at just the right time!

On June 7th, 2015 at 7pm, Redmond Chorale will be doing a kid's concert! 

 Ie all the music is geared for Children from those Classic School House Rock tunes to classical music pieces with kid friendly words, or traditional folk music for young ones!

The cool thing is that our concert partner this season also works with kids!

Out Doors for All is an organization that makes the outdoors accessible for all folks with disabilities. They provide lessons and equipment for out door activities to help kids of all ages with all kinds of disabilities to be able to play in the great out doors.

Redmond Chorale's gift from concert proceeds will be used for sponsorships, or equipment repair or to just make up for the lack of funds due to the lack of snow this year that messed up many organizations that depend on snow for their activities.

To read more about their mission and the great work that they do please go to www.outdoorsforall.org

 

 

Please join us and bring the family!

Concert at Meadowbrook Church in Redmond, WA



Appalachian Spring Poster

Helping New Moms

One of the privileges of my office as Board President of Redmond Chorale is learning about organizations for which I was completely unaware.  Listening to a passionate people share their mission and vision for their organizations and knowing that we are able to help them is very humbling.

This concert seasons partner is POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON.  This amazing organization is run with a host of volunteers and only two part time staff members. I met with one of the two, Mia Edidin recently to learn about PSI of WA. Mia has been with PSI for 8 years and is a licensed clinical social worker.

Having been around for 30 years, PSI of WA is a statewide organization that provides support for women dealing with Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)

What they do is 1) Raise awareness, 2) enlighten professionals 3) support those impacted by PMAD’s and 4) Foster connections between all. 

One of their most used services is a Warm line for moms in distress. It is answered by volunteer therapists and moms who are volunteering to give back after having been there themselves. Each person that calls the Warm line is sent literature regarding PMAD and resources in their communities.

Through PSI of WA, there are 15 support groups throughout the state that help families going through PMAD.

One of the facts Mia shared with me is that though there is only a small percentage of women who experience a myriad of medical issues associated with pregnancy and birth, though all are tested for these things as a matter of precaution. 10-20 % of new mothers experience post-partum depression, and that it is the number one complication of pregnancy, and mothers are rarely screened for it.  Also, due to the stigma associated with mental illness, very few new moms seek assistance. That is why training professionals to identify the signs and symptoms and know where to refer a new mom is so important.

What I didn’t realize is that PMAD’s can affect a family long after those first few months after birth.

Here are some statistics:

·         20% of mothers and 10% of fathers will experience a PMAD

·         Maternal suicide rates increase 44% in the postpartum year

·         Depressed mothers have less affectionate contact with infant and less time mutually engaged with child as toddler

·         Moms with PMAD are less likely to breastfeed, read/sing to infants, bring babies to doctor visits, and use safety practices with infants

All of these things affect early childhood development, which is why these disorders can affect a family for years after a child is out of diapers, and why support and appropriate treatment is so important to a family. 

So I asked Mia, how RC’s gift would help PSI of WA in their mission.

Our gift could go to train a new support group leader

Or

Buy supplies for a group

Or

Print the literature that is sent to the women who call into the Warm line for a year!

Or

to scholarships for professionals to get trained

For more information on PSI of WA, go to www.ppmdsupport.com

Connections!  I get to come and sing some awesome music on Monday nights and then perform it for some great audiences and touch lives in meaningful ways.  What a privilege!  Thanks to chorale member Evelyn F who let us know about this great organization!

 Save the Date: March 22^nd 7pm 

for an Appalachian Spring

Ceytha B

Join us for our Christmas Season Concert December 7, 2014 7pm
Meadowbrook Church, Redmond, WA
$10.00 suggested donation