Contact: Mark Bradley, Membership Vice President, gen.omarbradley@hotmail.com or 309-862-0224 .
Meetings: 7 to 9:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Grace Hall, Second Presbyterian Church, 313 N. East Street, Bloomington, IL 61701.
Requirements/Expectations. To perform with the Sound of Illinois, you must be a member. If you wish to join, you will complete a membership form and enclose a check that covers first-year dues.
We expect prospects to be able to carry a tune and match pitches, but they are not required to read music (although that is a welcome attribute). While we don’t require an audition, we do ask prospective members to sing in a non-threatening environment to help with voice placement in the chorus.
Once a member, we expect singers to work on learning notes and words on their own time. The music team provides written arrangements plus learning CDs to help this process, since we perform without music.
Members are also expected to perform basic choreography, aided by scripts and special learning sessions on rehearsal night.
Members are also expected to buy their chorus uniform. Currently, that includes a tuxedo, shirt, vest and tie, shoes, plus a summer shirt for singouts.
Because the chorus is active in local affairs, we expect members to participate in every performance possible so we may always present the best chorus we possibly can.
Dues: Annual dues include:
Bloomington Chapter, $30;
Illinois District, $17;
Barbershop Harmony Society, $101 (age 26 and under $8.50, seniors $50.50).
One-time application fee of $10 for new or reinstated members.
