MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Director. Gary David Witley has directed MCE since it was first organized. His degree in conducting, from the University of California at Santa Barbara, launched his career as a conductor and educator, and helped develop his impressive skills in music selection, direction, and arrangement, and his commitment to quality musical presentations.

Membership. The only requirements for MCE membership are willingness to seriously commit to a full performance season, passage of a simple audition, and payment (or arranging for payment) of dues.

Commitment. The serious commitment we make when we’re accepted, and renew each season, is an acceptance of the chorus's goal of producing musical programs of the highest quality. Practicing together as often as possible and fully participating in all concerts, scheduled rehearsals and retreats are viewed as essential to attaining that goal. Our rehearsal attendance policy permits a member to participate in a concert only if he or she has attended 70% of the rehearsals of the music being performed.

Auditions. Auditions for Tenors and Basses and are held twice a year for Sopranos and Altos, usually in August and early winter. Auditions are held by appointment only. Contact our New Member Coordinator, Frances Tanaka at yftanaka@cco.net or call 360-570-0102 to schedule your audition. Click on this link to download the audition form. Complete and mail your audition form to: Masterworks Choral Ensemble Attn: New Member Coordinator PO Box 1091 Olympia, WA 98501-1091 It is not necessary to prepare a solo. Each audition lasts about 10 minutes, during which time Director Witley hears each candidate individually in private, evaluating, among other factors, the individual's: voice quality and range, tonal memory skills, and sight reading ability.

Rehearsals. Each half of our season begins with a six-hour Saturday retreat. The retreat opening the 2007-2008 season was on Saturday, August 25, 2007. The next retreat is Saturday, January 12, 2008 from 9am to 3pm.  These six-hour sessions are an opportunity to emphasize and facilitate the social nature of our group and get a running start on the new music for the next concert. Regular weekly rehearsals are on Tuesday nights from 7:00 to 10:00 pm, at the First United Methodist Church, near downtown Olympia on Boundary Street between 5th Street and Legion Way. Director Witley plans rehearsals so that we can be well prepared when it's time to perform, and provides us with a detailed rehearsal and performance schedule at the beginning of each season so we know what to expect well in advance.

Uniforms. The basic concert uniform for women consists of a jacket, worn over a black or red shell and a floor-length black skirt, black closed-toe shoes and black hose. Uniforms are ordered and purchased through MCE's uniform coordinator. Men are responsible for obtaining their own concert uniform, which is a black tuxedo, white shirt, black shoes and socks, with black and red cummerbunds and bow ties. Boutonnieres are provided for each concert. If uniform costs create a financial challenge MCE can make a short term loan to be repaid before the end of the member's first season. Any financial arrangements can be explored or initiated by contacting the organization's uniform coordinator, Doreen Hodgkins at 360-754-6921.

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