SOMERSET CHAMBER CHOIR

JOB DESCRIPTION - CONCERT ASSISTANT (Wells Cathedral)

Purpose of job

To ensure the smooth running of the rehearsal and concert, insofar as it relates to the orchestra, soloists and conductor. [Note: matters which affect the choir are dealt with by their own Stage Manager]

Overview of duties

The management of these groups to ensure:

(i) they are familiar with the facilities in the Cathedral and the requirements of the Cathedral staff;

(ii) they comply with the requirements of the detailed rehearsal and concert schedule set out by the Conductor and Concert Administrator;

Notifying the Concert Administrator and, if necessary, the conductor at the earliest possible opportunity, of anything which materially affects strict adherence to the rehearsal and concert schedule, in order that the conductor can adapt rehearsal or concert plans in light of any such problems.

Ensuring all other duties listed below are carried out at the appropriate times, as efficiently as possible.

Duties

MORNING/PRE-REHEARSAL

1) Introduce yourself to Head Verger, Concert Administrator, Conductor, Orchestra Manager, Front-of-house Manager, Choir’s Stage Manager and Recording Engineer.

2) Acquire detailed rehearsal/concert schedule from Concert Administrator and familiarise yourself with it, raising and resolving any queries immediately.

3) With Concert Administrator, establish procedures (“the procedures”) with Cathedral authorities re:

(i) toilets/changing locations & access times

(ii) luggage/instrument security

(iii) mid-rehearsal orchestra tea

(iv) pre-concert cathedral access (note: Cathedral is normally emptied and locked after Evensong)

(v) muster locations & times

(vi) entrance/exit to/from stage of orchestra

(vii) Dean’s introduction

(viii) entrance/exit to/from stage of soloists/conductor

4) Acquire details from Concert Administrator of mobile telephone numbers for Soloists, Conductor & Concert Administrator.

5) Acquire details from Concert Administrator re music stand arrangements (e.g. are Cathedral or Cathedral School, or players proving stands?). Depending on arrangements, bring music stands to performing area. [Note: Conductor normally brings his own stand]

6) Acquire details from Concert Administrator of any post-concert floral presentations and who is doing these.

7) Acquire details from Concert Administrator of any floral buttonholes/corsages being provided (usually for conductor, leader & soloists).

8) Notify the procedures to Orchestra Manager.

9) Ensure keyboard(s) have been delivered and tuning has been completed in accordance with the detailed schedule; ensure organist(s) seat(s) has/have been made available; notify Concert Administrator of any problems.

10) If main organ required, ensure access to organ is available and camera(s) & sight lines are properly tested.

11) Ensure podia (if required) for soloists & conductor are available.

12) Ensure high-quality podium chairs have been made available for soloists, if required.

13) With Orchestra Manager, set up stage ready for beginning of rehearsal, in accordance with agreed stage plan.

REHEARSAL

14) Ensure Orchestra Manager notifies the procedures to players.

15) Greet soloists as required & notify the procedures to them.

16) Contribute fully, as required, to the proper adherence to the agreed schedule. With Orchestra Manager, keep abreast of progress of rehearsal, keeping all musicians aware of any consequences arising due to e.g. late running etc.. (In the event of musicians being unexpectedly unavailable, the Concert Assistant [liaising with Orchestra Manager and/or Concert Administrator as appropriate] should be prepared, if asked, to offer suggestions to the conductor of schedule alternatives based on the musicians available).

17) With Orchestra Manager, implement stage set-up changes (soloists/orchestra/conductor) in accordance with agreed stage plan, noting any amendments made (as agreed with conductor & leader) to resolve any space or other practical issues arising, at all times noting for later use the different stage settings for different pieces as required.

18) With Orchestra Manager, keep watching brief on arrival & whereabouts of orchestral players, notifying conductor in good time of any problems in relation to agreed schedule (e.g. missing personnel).

19) Ensure orchestral manager chases up missing players.

20) Keep watching brief on arrival & whereabouts of soloists, notifying conductor in good time of any problems in relation to agreed schedule (e.g. missing personnel). (Note: any delayed soloists should telephone the Concert Administrator, who will keep you informed of any such messages).

21) Chase up any soloists who are missing with no explanation.

22) Liaise with appropriate personnel to ensure mid-rehearsal orchestra tea is prepared on time. Ensure (with Orchestra Manager) a prompt return to the rehearsal of all relevant personnel.

23) At rehearsal end, ensure orchestra is reminded of concert time.

24) With Orchestra Manager, set up stage ready for beginning of concert.

CONCERT

25) Purchase bottles of still mineral water for soloists and place under their chairs on the podium (moving between pieces as necessary).

26) Ensure floral buttonholes/corsages are distributed to the appropriate personnel before the concert.

27) Muster orchestra, soloists and conductor immediately pre-concert and post interval. Send onto concert platform as agreed in the schedule, liaising with Front of House personnel and verger as to timing, taking care to allow for orchestra tuning and the Dean’s introduction (if any).

28) With Orchestra Manager, keep watching brief on arrival & whereabouts of orchestral players, notifying conductor in good time of any problems (e.g. missing personnel).

29) Ensure Orchestral Manager chases up missing players.

30) Keep watching brief on arrival & whereabouts of soloists, notifying conductor in good time of any problems (e.g. missing personnel).

31) Chase up any missing soloists.

32) With Orchestra Manager, implement stage set-up changes between pieces (soloists/orchestra/conductor) in accordance with agreed stage plan, ensuring any amendments made during final rehearsal are adhered to. Notify conductor and soloists when stage changes between pieces are complete and send them onto concert platform.

33) Liaise with appropriate personnel to ensure the proper presentation of floral (etc) presentations at the correct time (at the commencement of the 1^st curtain recall).

34) Ensure the verger unlocks the vestry door (normally locked during concert) for soloist/conductor access during interval and immediately after concert.

GENERAL

35) With Concert Administrator, troubleshoot/resolve anything that interferes with the smooth running of the rehearsal or concert.

36) With Concert Administrator, deal with any other related issues arising on concert days as required.

Version 26 March 2004