General Member Guidelines
Compiled by Kurt Griffith/Talking Stone, Choral Director
Compiled May 1994, VERSION 2.0 Revised September 2000 (edit: 2/11/02, 12/27/02)
Adopted By Consensus of Bards’ Circle 10/6/2000, Supersedes all previous versionsThese Guidelines were compiled to give the Chorus an operating structure. They are mostly common sense, and not etched in stone. Some items have been superceeded, made obsolete, or even better, trancended by actual practice. They are for Four Winds internal use only, and not intended to conform to any particular legal or regulatory structure of New York City, State or any other entity. In the four years since the inception of the Chorus, they have served us well as Mission Statement, Operating Framework and Guide to Conduct.
Go to: Structure & Purpose | Membership | Organization | Conduct
Go Back to About The Chorus Page
General Note: The Phrase Guidelines was deliberately chosen over such things like “Rules and Regulations” or “By-laws.” These guidelines are intended to be exactly that, guidelines. Despite some formal language, this is essentially a common-sense outline for how we go about what we do with intentional flexibility and room for interpretation.1. Structure and Purpose
1.1 The Four Winds Earth Chorus is a project initiated in an effort to help spread the awareness, practice and joy of sacred songs and chants. To combat the local and societal perception that music is the inaccessible provence of professional. To provide an alternative to Judeo-Christian choral and gospel music as peoples’ music. To that end, the chorus shall both teach, perform, and support other spiritual events which are found to be in keeping with the above stated goals. The success of New Moon New York’s Choral Yule celebration in December of 1993 has suggested that the concept and goals are valid and desired.
1.2 The broad composition of the NY area Pagan, Nativist and Alternative Spiritual communities gives us a broad spread of material to draw upon. We will use material from Pagan, Native, Folk, and some popular music. Not every piece needs to be specifically spiritual if it can be applied spiritually or inspirationally. Based on the people involved at the time of founding, the group style seems to be leaning towards a mixture of shamanic, Pagan, Nativist, Folk and contemporary sounds.
1.3 The chorus will play to the strengths of the group and our resources. We began our journey in 1996 with some musicians, a few good drummers and continue to acquire more skills as we go on. As more people come in, their skills will be added to the cooperative and increase our skill base and resources. Folk have demonstrated (or indicated) a great deal of enthusiasm so far. This can be transmitted and encouraged to spread even through the serious work of practice and training.
1.4 Some of our goals include:
• To promote and teach sacred song and chants
• To promote and teach group, ceremonial and ritual singing
• To develop original material
• To hold informal song circles
• To support ritual and ceremony
• To give concert performances
• To foster continued sharing and dialogue between Earth Honoring peoples
• To help generate a positive image of Earth Honoring people to the general public
• If appropriate resources can be developed, possibly make recordings.1.5 Concerts or other performances shall be structured within a spiritual context, in honor of the Earth and Earth honoring people. The Chorus and it’s members shall be respectful of the authors, spiritual paths, traditions and sources of the material we use, teach and perform.
1.5.1 Members will be respectful of and honoring of all specific spiritual entities, deities, or beings so invoked or to which any of our material is dedicated to, regardless of any Member’s spiritual background/s or practice.
1.6 Most events and rituals and teachings in particular will be structured with the ideal that the event be participatory for the audience to some degree. When possible song sheets/programs will be distributed. For performance events, this may be less emphasized. With this idea in mind, the chorus will try to keep arrangements and presentations engaging and simple. Since the idea is to present sacred sound as accessible and a tool that spiritual people can use, intimidating them is not our aim. The intention is to inspire people and in the process create enjoyable and spiritually uplifting experiences for people.
1.7 In general, we will endeavor to keep our arrangements of songs accessible to the people we work with and/or perform for. In other words our aim should be to inspire, educate and encourage, not to intimidate them. Part of the intention is to transmit this material to the people for which it was intended and to expose others to its beauty and power.
Go to: Structure & Purpose | Membership | Organization | Conduct
Go Back to About The Chorus Page | Return to Top of Page
2. Membership
2.1 Membership is open to any person following or supportive to an earth honoring path who wishes to participate, devote some time and energy and willing to attend some meetings and performances. Musical ability and/or experience is helpful but not as important as enthusiasm and willingness to work and learn.
2.1.1 Minors may be Members with the written consent of their parent/s or guardian/s. Otherwise they have all the privileges of and are subject to the same guidelines as adults. However, school age members must maintain their commitments to their families and educations. If Chorus activities interfere with the above, the Director may suggest limiting their level of participation to a level compatible with their primary commitments.
2.2 Members need not attend each meting. One of the goals of the Chorus is to have enough accomplished Members that only a portion of the group, supported by key or Performing Members would be needed to provide any given event. Members are expected to attend enough meetings prior to any given performance/event in which they expect to participate as a Chorus Member to enable them to contribute materially and positively. (Please see also 2.6)
2.3 Members will, however, be expected to practice, not only with the group but on their own time as well, in order to become familiar with the songs and any special arrangements we may be using. In addition to learning and retention of material, practice is also necessary to exercise and strengthen the voice. Drummers, musicians and composers, etc. will also be expected to exercise and develop their respective Arts and Crafts.
2.4 Members will be expected to keep a loose leaf (or binder of choice) of the songs, exercises, rituals, play lists, etc. of the Chorus. The Chorus and Director go to some effort to collect, assemble and distribute this material. We expect you to keep it, take care of and keep track of it, and bring your books to meetings and rehearsals. (Please see also 3.7)
2.4.1 It is the responsibility of Members to keep their books up to date and organized in whatever manner that makes it easy to quickly reference any of our material.
2.4.2 We strongly encourage Members to be “off book” or memorize as much of our material as possible. Begin with our “standards” and then concentrate on material for upcoming events.
2.4.3 Members Admitted to the Performance Unit are strongly encouraged to be “off book” on any Material in advance of any upcoming performance event in they intend to participate.
2.5 There are no specific time requirements or limitations to Membership. Members may withdraw with notice without penalty or censure, and return at any future time, subject to the limitations stated below, which apply to all members.
2.6 An Active/General Member is a member maintaining a better than 50% attendance of rehearsals and events. It is preferred that Members participating in Chorus events maintain a 60-75% attendance record. Active Members desiring Performing Member Status status will make every effort to meet this requirement and display demonstrable ability with the material. General Members of the chorus should maintain attendance of designated General Rehearsals. General Members are Active Members that do not currently hold Performing Member status.
2.7 A Performing Member - “The Bard’s Circle” is an Active Member in good standing showing demonstrated ability and responsibility, and a higher level of commitment to the Chorus and our material. Members shall be invited into the Performance Unit at the invitation of the Director and the general consensus of the other Performing Members.
2.7.1 Performing Members will make every effort to maintain a 75% attendance of meetings leading to performance events or reserved for Performing Members. Run-throughs, dress and technical rehearsals are of particular importance. Performing members are also ineouraged to attend general Rehearsals consistent with maintaining their knowledge and to assist in the training of General Members.
2.7.2 Status as Performing Member may be flexible and applicable from performance project to project, depending on the Members ability to fulfill the necessary commitment to any given upcoming performance event and the general consensus of the other Performing Members. However, Members will retain Active Membership regardless of Performance status provided they meet the base criteria in 2.6
2.8 Members falling below the attendance requirements must be able to demonstrate
competence with the material of the current project/s, and subject to the approval of the Director to participate in an upcoming Chorus event.2.8.1 Performing Members falling below the attendance requirements must be able to demonstrate superior competence with the material of the current upcoming performance event, and subject to the approval of the Director and the general consensus of the other Performing Members to participate in an upcoming performance or event.
2.8.2 Members falling below attendance requirements for performance events are still encouraged to attend meetings and rehearsals and may still participate in events in a support capacity, subject to logistic and circumstantial considerations.
Go to: Structure & Purpose | Membership | Organization | Conduct
Go Back to About The Chorus Page | Return to Top of Page
3. Organization
3.1 Four Winds Earth Chorus was originally conceived as a Spiritual Musical Cooperative with Kurt Griffith/Talking Stone as Choral Director. To the degree feasible, a process of general consensus may be employed to involve the Membership in general decision making.
3.2 Everybody’s contribution is important. Members’ opinions shall be solicited about the things we do. For the most part, the group will be consulted on organizational matters, but the Director reserves the right to make final decisions.
3.2.1 It is appropriate for the the Director to have an open minded attitude and be accountable to the Membership. The Director may be asked within reason to explain his actions and decisions. It is desirable that the Membership be comfortable and enjoy our work.
3.3 Most meetings will be considered open auditions as well, however informal. Potential Members should demonstrate some aptitude, enthusiasm for the material and a willingness to learn and study. If any given person can make a good contribution and can abide by these guidelines, it is appropriate to accept them as General Members. However, people who turn out to be particularly disruptive to the purpose or the harmony of the group may be asked to withdraw, regardless of their skills.
3.3.1 Technical run-throughs and dress rehearsals shall be limited to event participants unless noted otherwise. Active Members unable to attend should notify the Director, preferably with reasonable notice.
3.4 With the understanding that people on Spiritual Paths usually have many, many interlocking commitments and demands on their time; showing up hours after the start time of an event is very disrespectful to others and wasteful of their and the groups time. It is certainly possible that there are extenuating circumstances on some occasions. But nevertheless, Members will make their best effort to be responsible. Respect our appointments, and please call in if you have delays, conflicts or travel trouble. With our busy lives, our practice and performance time is truly precious.
3.5 Support offices within the Chorus shall be appointed and held only as needed.
3.6.1 Our current standard for basic costumes is a black base, individually modified and decorated to reflect the individual Members’ specific spirituality. Costumes should be clean, neat, functional, presentable and comfortable.
3.7 The Chorus is a member supported not-for-profit cooperative. Members are expected to pay their own way and maintain their instruments and equipment. Songbooks, training tapes etc., where available, will be distributed at cost. Members will be requested to contribute to the material costs of Chorus operations to the best of their financial ability. Major investments/ expenditures will be discussed with the membership in advance. Members may not undertake major expenditures in the name of the cooperative without the approval of the Director and/or general consensus of the Active Membership.
3.8 Since mid-1995, we have been using rented rehearsal spaces. Costs are shared by attending Members. With considerations of economic hardships, the contributions are on an honor system of sorts, with more prosperous Members encouraged to support their less fortunate peers.
3.9 Income generated by performances or other paid work of the Chorus, if not earmarked for other purposes, shall be reinvested in the Cooperative. Incidental amounts shall be invested towards operating expenses. Substantial amounts shall be invested towards assets and future activities. Surplus shall be distributed/invested after discussion with the current Active Membership.
3.10 Only the Director and the Active Membership may materially participate in the decision making process and organization of the Chorus.
Go to: Structure & Purpose | Membership | Organization | Conduct
Go Back to About The Chorus Page | Return to Top of Page
4. Conduct
4.1 All members shall conduct themselves at all times with courtesy and good fellowship to other Members and to all we come in contact with as a Cooperative.
4.2 All criticism shall be constructive and presented in a supportive manner.
4.3 Rehearsals shall be conducted in a purposeful manner. The time we spend together is limited and precious, we should spend as much of it as possible pursuing our goals.
4.4 Members shall not treat each other in a depreciating or humiliating manner. However, if necessary, gentle but firm discipline may be applied in the event of disruptive behavior. Repeatedly extreme disruptive or disrespectful behavior shall be cause for suspension of Performance Status, Chorus Membership, or expulsion from the Cooperative.
4.5 The overall harmony of the group shall be of equal importance, if not greater, than our artistic excellence. To that end, all Members must be aware that each of us will at times recognize the need to restrain our individual egos in pursuit of our stated goals.
4.5.1 It is desirable that the purposes and goals of Four Winds be compatible with Member’s Spiritual and Musical growth and to some degree, their personal needs and goals. However, it is inappropriate for Members to use the Cooperative to promote personal agendas or issues which are contrary or disruptive to that of the general mission of the Chorus.
4.6 Any Member with any specific difficulty with any other Member that would restrict or prevent them from contributing to or participating in Chorus activities should bring their dispute to the Director for mediation at the earliest opportunity. Even if the dispute is with the Director. It is impossible to mediate in the absence of feedback. All discussions will be kept in confidence.
Go to: Structure & Purpose | Membership | Organization | Conduct