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MISSION

The mission of The Burlington Choral Society (BCS) is to educate and increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of the arts by providing performances of an artistic nature in public places, senior citizen homes, churches, community centres and educational institutions and by providing seminars on topics relating to such performances.

GOVERNANCE

The Burlington Choral Society (BCS) is a self-sufficient not-for-profit corporation with registered charitable status.

HISTORY

Founded in 1968 and serving the community and surrounding district ever since, The Burlington Choral Society (BCS) marked its 40th anniversary in 2008.

The mixed voice choir has performed at Joseph Brant Hospital, at retirement centres such as Hearthstone by the Lake, nursing homes such as Hampton Terrace and in concert performances at churches such as Wellington Square United, St. James United in Waterdown and our home rehearsal and concert facility at Port Nelson United Church in Burlington. The choir has performed on the concert stage with the mass choir convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and has had the pleasure of being the guest performers in Peterborough, Ontario.

The choir has performed, and currently continues to perform, a wide range repertoire of songs from the classics, contemporary, sacred and folk music as well as show stoppers from Broadway.

CHALLENGES OVER THE PAST 40 YEARS

BCS has been faced with some very significant challenges throughout its 40 years of successful contribution to the Arts and culture of Burlington and surrounding area.

The City of Burlington at our inception sponsored the choir through the City Parks and Recreation Department which was managed by Mr. Laurie Branch. The support came as financial to help to cover salaries and also the provision of practice facilities at the Burlington Music Center. However, when the City withdrew sponsorship of adult organizations, the choir was faced with the challenge of becoming self-sufficient. This was a very serious situation requiring a very creative and challenging solution to find new rehearsal facilities and new funding. The organization secured a partnership with Wellington Square United Church for rehearsal and concert facilities. By creative internal financial structuring and fundraising initiatives the organization not only overcame these serious problems but became a very strong, efficient and well managed organization.

In 1999 David Robinson-Cooke and Angela Bailey found it necessary to resign after a very successful term of service. A new choir director/instructor and accompanist were required. We were fortunate to welcome two very qualified and capable musicians - Messrs. Robert G. Foote and Robert M. Douglas who brought their excellent teaching qualifications and instrumental skills to the organization. In September 2008, Mr. Richard Hansen was welcomed as the new accompanist. Both of these men were not only worthy directors in their own right but were exceptionally talented at both the piano and organ. With the beginning of the 2010-2011 season in September, The Burlington Choral Society welcomed a new accompanist, Katherine Rochester.

In October 2003, Ward Minielly and Barry Saunders attended an Ontario Trillium Foundation seminar. As a result, it was determined that it would be in the best interests of the choir to become an Incorporated "Not For Profit Registered Charity" organization. Through their efforts along with Terry Guerin, this objective was achieved in 2004. Among the benefits of this status is the eligibility to apply for Government Arts and Culture grants and to issue tax receipts for donations.

Our partnership with Wellington Square United Church ended in 2006, creating the very serious need to acquire a new rehearsal and performance venue. Our Executive was able to secure a new mutually advantageous partnership with Port Nelson United Church.

In July 2007, as a 40th Anniversary project, Barry Saunders and Terry Guerin prepared a very complex and comprehensive Ontario Trillium Foundation* (O.T.F.) grant application. We are extremely pleased to announce that a $6,600.00 O.T.F. grant was received to allow the choir to complete a number of 40th Anniversay projects.

* The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

CHOIR MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION

The choir is an Incorporated not-for-profit organization and a registered charity. Fiscal business is managed by a Board of Directors (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Past President) who must be elected or re-elected annually. The fiscal year ends on August 31 however the annual meeting takes place in May of each year.

The Board of Directors is augmented by several other elected members - Performance Coordinator(s), Advertising and Publicity Coordinator, Fundraising Coordinator and Librarian. Also included but not requiring election is the Choir Director. This group forms the "Choir Executive" which manages the day-to-day operations.

Other significant management functions are as follows: social, special fundraising initiatives within the fundraising framework, corresponding secretary, men's and women's choir dress coordinators, Port Nelson Church liaison, concert ticket and poster coordination, ticket sales coordination, choir financial auditor, and membership.

EXECUTIVE 2010—2011

Elected

President.....Janet Vivian

Vice President.....Brian Harding

Treasurer.....Terry Guerin

Secretary.....Rosanna Alexander

Past President.....vacant

Librarian.....Curth Martell

Performance Coordinators: .....

Linda Rafuse / Joan Hermans

Non Elected

Membership.....Terry Guerin

Publicity..…Brian Harding

Ticket Sales.....Jackie Harrington

Corresp.Secretary..…Donna Taplin

Archivist.....Al Daly

Web Master.....Nancy Varley

Bingo Coordinators: .....

Curth Martell / Terry Guerin

LEADERSHIP

Director

BCS has been blessed with a number of directors throughout its history. Beginning with Mr. Blair Havers (founding director) directing from 1968 until 1988. Mr. David Robinson-Cooke continued the strong directorship until the spring season of 1999. Mr. Robert G. Foote assumed the choral music directorship and continues the tradition of quality directors.

Robert G. Foote is in his 12th year as Director of The Burlington Choral Society. His dedication and wonderful sense of humour and whimsy bring enthusiasm and commitment to the group. Bob has been organist and choir director at the Church of St. James the Apostle in Guelph since 1971 where he has written several anthems and mass settings for the choirs.

Accompanist

Mrs. Deanna Robinson-Cooke, Mrs. Angela Bailey, Mr. Robert M. Douglas and Richard J. Hansen have served and supported the Burlington Choral Society as competent accompanists for a number of years. Ms. Katherine Rochester is our present accompanist joining Mr. Robert G. Foote to provide a special combination of musical talent.

Information on Katherine Rochester will follow shortly.

WEEKLY REHEARSALS AND WORKSHOPS

Each week with the exception of the summer months, a full two hour four-part mixed voice choral music training session is conducted by a professional director and accompanist. Currently there are approximately 50 participating volunteers who are required to have basic vocal capabilities and music appreciation.

The first two rehearsals of each semester (September and January) are mutual trials for new members. They are given a temporary set of music. Important orientation and membership information is also supplied. The prospective new member then has the opportunity to become a full choir participant in the community mission and mandate.

Society music inventory is the property of the society and is administered carefully by the librarian. Music selections are managed by member number and must be returned to the librarian when no longer required.