Going on stage

• Be on time for the line-up

• Remove crinkly paper from any lozenges beforehand

What to do on stage

• Carry your black folder on and off the stage in the hand facing the audience

• No handbags or water bottles

• Don’t wave to anyone

• Sit straight and still, legs together, shhh…no talking

• Watch the conductor

• Know when to stand and sit. Stand as the conductor walks onto the stage. Open your folder after the conductor has acknowledged the applause following his arrival on stage and has turned to face the choir. Leave the folder open until the end of the work.

• Stand still on stage and turn pages quietly

• What should you do during applause? Smile! If standing at the end of the work, remain standing. If seated, watch the conductor for directions. Sit when the conductor has left the stage. After that, watch the concertmaster or conductor for clues about sits and stands. Applaud the other performers at the second and subsequent curtain calls. Don’t applaud when standing.

• When leaving the stage, wait until the conductor and soloists have all departed. When the concertmaster begins to leave the stage, leave in reverse order to entry.

Everyone

• No perfume, scented deodorant, hairspray or aftershave - we have some choristers with allergies!

• Black music folders

Sops & Altos

• Black long-sleeved top

• Black long skirt or pants

• Black shoes

• Black stockings or socks

• Minimal, not noisy jewellery

Tenors & Basses

• Black long-sleeved shirt

• Maroon choir tie

• Black long pants

• Black shoes

• Black socks