The Blue Ridge Chorale Blue Ridge Chorale of Culpeper, Inc.
Member Handbook
(Updated Aug. 2026)
Welcome to the Blue Ridge Chorale!
We are delighted to have you as a member. Whether this is your first season or you are a returning member, we welcome you to our community chorale. Our Chorale Singers join together in the spirit of dedication, patience, and goodwill to work toward a goal of excellence in our musical performances. Our desire is for the rehearsals to be enjoyable experiences for all. Promptness, minimum chatter, attentive eyes and ears, friendly attitudes, and hard work accomplish this, and make for an enjoyable and spirit-lifting season for each of us!!
CONCERT SEASONS:
The Blue Ridge Chorale (BRC) of Culpeper has been providing music and community to the central Virginia region since 1967, with two concert seasons yearly.
The FALL/WINTER Concert Season begins rehearsals the last Monday in August and culminates in two or three scheduled performances held during the first weekend of December.
The SPRING Concert Season begins rehearsals on the 3rd or 4th Monday in January, culminating in two or three scheduled performances held during the first weekend in May.
Concert participation is required of all Chorale members. Various other events, both performances and community events, may occur in a chorale season.
MEMBERSHIP:
Any individual is welcome to join the chorale regardless of race, creed, religion, handicap, gender, or national origin. The requirements for membership are only an ability to sing and a willingness to abide by the policies in the BRC handbook. Our Music Director may ask you to sing a familiar song in private to determine your vocal range and voice section. All solo parts will be posted well in advance of required audition schedules. To maintain a balanced sound among sections, the Music Director may ask if you are willing to sing a different section. Membership will be open through the first three weeks of rehearsal for each season.
We do ask that singers be a minimum of 16 years of age; those under 16 will need to inquire directly to the Music Director for membership. Singers 16-18 years of age who wish to join, must be approved by the Music Director and have their registration form and a minor consent agreement signed by a parent or guardian.
BRC reserves the right to also form smaller, more specialized groups within the larger choir. These groups are by invitation/audition only. The choir consists of volunteer singers. However, the executive board and music director reserve the right to pay professional musicians to enhance concerts.
Only the Music Director has the authority to make exceptions to this membership policy.
REGISTRATION FEES:
The Blue Ridge Chorale has made it a goal to make membership available to all interested participants, so the Chorale Board strives to keep registration costs modest. The current registration fee is $45 per person per season for all singers. All fees are subject to change at the beginning of each concert season. Fees must be paid by the end of the third rehearsal to participate in any given season. If the fee is a hardship for any member, the Chorale will work with the singer on scholarship opportunities. Please reach out to the Music Director or the Board President (or any Board member) to inquire.
REHEARSALS:
Day of Week: Monday Evenings
Location: Culpeper United Methodist Church, 2133 Oaklawn Dr., Culpeper, VA.
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Rehearsals begin precisely at 6:00 pm.
If you arrive late, please wait for a break in the warm-ups or song before taking your place quietly in your section. You may take a break as needed and return to your section when you can.
Additional rehearsal time may be required as concert time approaches. Some rehearsals may be deemed mandatory.
ATTENDANCE:
We ask that singers miss no more than three rehearsals in the concert season without consulting the Music Director. If you are running late or will be absent, please contact your Section Leader and/or the Music Director via email. Contact information for all Chorale leaders will be provided after membership closes at the third rehearsal of each season.
Any singer who misses more than three rehearsals in a single season may be asked by the Music Director to sit out the performances for that season.
In the event of inclement weather or other need to modify rehearsals, emails/texts/calls will be sent to inform all members.
CONCERT EXPECTATIONS:
* All members of the choir are expected to participate in all concerts. If for some reason there is a conflict with your schedule with the set concert dates, please notify the Music Director.
* Concert attire will be discussed at the start of each season. Members will be notified well in advance of concerts of what attire is expected. If any singer is experiencing hardship with the required attire, please contact the Board President or Music Director.
* Singers are expected to assume a professional attitude during performances. This includes watching the Conductor, not the audience, and not talking between numbers. All should maintain composure if the chorus makes a mistake!
* Singers will be provided with practice recording tracks to be able to practice the music from home throughout the week. Singers are expected to utilize the practice tracks between rehearsals.
* Be certain that rehearsal and concert sites are left as found. The facilities are often loaned to the Chorale by the good graces of the organization or church, and the Chorale wants to maintain a good relationship with them.
* Be ready to help when needed. This includes set up and take down for rehearsals and concerts alike.
SHEET MUSIC POLICY:
All music used by BRC is either property of BRC or is on loan to BRC. Music is on loan only to current members. Singers are expected to treat it with care, making markings with pencil only, never any permanent markings or highlighter, nor punching holes in the music. It is unlawful to copy BRC music.
You will be provided with a packet of assigned music at the first rehearsal, and may take it home as soon as membership fees are paid. Until that time, please return all music to the librarians before leaving the rehearsal hall.
Additional music may be introduced later in the rehearsal season. You will receive a performance list prior to the concerts.
Your BRC music should be turned in immediately following the last concert. There will be a charge for any music not returned. Should personal circumstances warrant any Singer leaving the chorus mid-season, the Singer should notify the Music Director and contact the Librarian to make arrangements to return the full music packet.
SOCIALS:
One of the benefits of chorale membership is contact and community with like-minded music lovers.
At least once per season, the chorale will set aside time for a social gathering with refreshments. Many members meet before or after rehearsal to get to know each other better. A contact sheet for members will be made available each season. Singers may opt out of sharing their contact information.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND SUPPER:
All members and supporters are welcome and encouraged to take part in our annual membership meeting and potluck meal. This meeting is usually held on the third Monday of May. The date, time, and location will be announced as part of the Spring schedule. The Annual Meeting typically includes a report on the Chorale’s finances, election of Officers, and a preview of the next season’s program, among other items.
DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISING EXPECTATIONS:
The Blue Ridge Chorale provides a professional, well-supported environment in which, under skilled professional direction, singers grow their skills, sing beautiful and sophisticated music, both unique and traditional, and enjoy fellowship with other music lovers. This costs considerable money and time. Typically, members’ registration fees cover only a small percentage of the Chorale budget.
There are several ways that BRC supplements our costs. Members are expected to participate in any way they are able, helping to work events, sharing information about concerts and events with their friends, family, and community, and, if feasible, encouraging or making additional donations. Member donations are never a requirement for participation.
Chorale music performance is, and should be, a benefit to the community. As such, the Board aims to keep the cost of concert attendance free for the public. Concert donations usually provide 10-15% of the Chorale’s annual budget. We hope that all members will encourage people to attend our performances, and, if able, to give donations to help defray the Chorale’s operating costs.
In addition, the Chorale usually hosts one or more major fundraising activities each season, under the direction of the Fundraising Chairperson. Participation in these fundraising opportunities is greatly appreciated. Each event has several opportunities to volunteer, these will be announced during rehearsals in the weeks before any event. Sign-up sheets will be provided for specific tasks.
BRC is ALWAYS looking for new ways to fundraise and engage with members of our community. If any singer has ideas or opportunities for the Chorale to participate, please email the board or reach out to one of them before or after practice.
EXECUTIVE BOARD of DIRECTORS:
The Executive Board oversees the Chorale functions: hiring, evaluating and recruiting staff, developing each season’s schedule, managing the Chorale budget, organizing concerts and fundraising events, and performing other executive operations as indicated in the By-Laws and according to Chorale needs. A Board position term is two years, renewable, starting June 1 and ending May 31. Board officers are voted in by the Chorale Membership at the Annual Meeting. Terms for each position are staggered. See one of the Board Members for a complete list of the current terms and positions. Current Board members’ names are available on the BRC website.
If you are interested in a Board position, email the Board President at President@brcsings.com.
Executive Board Positions:
President
Vice President / Fundraising
Treasurer
Secretary
Communications and Social Media
Librarian
Production
Publicity
Social Affairs
BOARD MEETINGS:
The Chorale Board of Directors generally meets monthly from August through June. Members are welcome to attend any meeting. The meetings usually occur the second Monday of each month, immediately before rehearsal. Ad hoc meetings may also be called as needed.
Professional Staff Positions:
Music Director: Melanie Bolas
Asst. Director/Accompanist: Kathy Pellegreen
Chorale Accompanist: Brittany Bache
CONTACT INFORMATION
Blue Ridge Chorale of Culpeper, Inc.
PO Box 1871
Culpeper, VA 22701
Web site: www.brcsings.com
Email: info@brcsings.com
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