Concert Attire and Stage Decorum

BLACK BINDERS

·   Vivans like to wrap their music book in a black paper cover. This is the lightest and smallest solution.

·   Or a regular choral folder.

·   No tabs sticking out of your binder for the performance.

·   Pages of each solo movement are paper-clipped together for first NY rehearsal. Turn to next choral movement in a one-clump turn!

 CONCERT ATTIRE

Viva will wear the following and we invite all singers to join us in this, if possible:

·      Long (to the ankle at least) black dress, or ankle length skirt or dress pants (fluid, not tight-fitting) and top.

·      Dress pants means not jeans, not leggings.

·      Sleeves are a must: long (to the wrist) or three quarter (to below the elbow). No bare arms.

·      The simpler the fabric and neckline and overall styling the better: no frills or lace or sparkle or low-cut necklines. Anything that draws attention to the individual singer takes away from the ensemble.

·      Viva is wearing black tuxes, white shirts, black bowties. For those who have tuxedos: please do wear them!

·      If not a tux, a regular dark lounge suit will also work.

·      Black closed-toe shoes. No open toe sandals, no bare toes.

·      Regarding shoes: If you must make a choice between glamour and comfort, go for comfort, so long as it is closed-toe. And put the glamour into your performance. It’s a long stand. There are no seats for the choir to sit during the solo movements.

·      Black or dark/opaque hose or socks. Hose or socks are required.

Tuxes!

·      Viva has white satin pocket squares to loan to anyone wearing a tux. Thank you, Joyce!

·      If you are not able to wear a tux or prefer not to, a black collared shirt is fine. Buttoned collars, not open-necked.

·    If you wish to wear a jacket as well, that would be swell!

·      You may want to accessorize with a tie: A long lounge tie or a bowtie—your choice.

·      If you have long hair, would you consider tying it up or styling to back so that it is off your face?

We want facial expression as much as possible, and facial features are so much more expressive than hair!

·      Pearl earrings and pearl necklaces. Discreet or flashy, whichever floats your boat.

·      Electronic devices switched off and singers switched on!

No cell phones or electronic watches onstage. Or turned off, way off.

Choir onstage at Carnegie

STAGE DECORUM

·      No perfume or perfumy hairspray or body lotion. It's close quarters and some folks are allergic...I mean are allergic to scents.

·      Silent onstage. No chit-chat.

·      For entering the stage, have your binder, closed, in hand away from audience.

Help each other in the lineup with this before you go onstage—check singers in front and back of you.

It's a moment full of excitement, and it's easy to forget about binders.

·      During solo movements, keep your focus on the conductor. That way you are focusing on the soloists. Best to not look around the hall, as your gaze will surely take some audience member along. We want everyone’s rapt attention on the music—ours and the audience’s.

·      With a bit of luck, I’ll cue you to open your binders before the orchestra and I start. So keep your binders closed and at your side until I give the cue. If I start the music without the binder cue….well, hmmm, you have two choices…

·      For singers who have the Requiem memorized: If you want to sing off-book, please do! No need to hold a book. BRAVO to you!!

·    Read ON THE SAME PAGE post (forthcoming) for page turning directions.

·    IPADS are NOT allowed (not my rule).