Queensland University Musical Society
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Choir 101
Rehearsal Etiquette
We're all here to learn the music! So there are some basics that we all need to follow:
- Be there on time!
- Have your music, water, 2B pencil and eraser
- Keep it quiet while other sections are rehearsing, and during Notices
- Pay attention – listen to the conductor, to your own singing, and to your neighbours' singing
- Leave your phone on silent and in your pocket
- Hold your seat when you stand up so it doesn't clatter and clang
How To Read Music and other Music Theory resources
- Musictheory.net: Introductory and intermediate lessons, exercises, and calculators.
- Musical terms, symbols and theory: an illustrated dictionary. Michael C Thomsett, 1989.
- Grove music online: the World's premier authority on all aspects of music.
- Includes the full text with ongoing updates of: The New Grove dictionary of music and musicians, 2nd ed. (London, 2001); The New Grove dictionary of opera (London, 1992); and, the New Grove dictionary of jazz, 2nd ed. (London, 2002).
- Includes the full text with ongoing updates of: The New Grove dictionary of music and musicians, 2nd ed. (London, 2001); The New Grove dictionary of opera (London, 1992); and, the New Grove dictionary of jazz, 2nd ed. (London, 2002).
Taking Care of your Sheet Music
Choristers in QUMS are expected to take good care of the music they are loaned.
- Keep all music (both sheet music and scores) in a protective folder or case, rather than carrying it loose in a bag where it might get bent or torn.
- When making markings on the music, use a soft pencil only (e.g. a 2B pencil). This means markings can be more easily erased later. If you are erasing someone else's markings yourself, do it carefully with a soft rubber eraser.
- If your music is damaged or becomes damaged, tell your librarian. Do not attempt to repair it yourself without guidance, as repairs done incorrectly can damage the music further!
- You should do everything in your power to prevent your music from getting wet. If, despite your efforts, it does get wet, lay it flat to dry as soon as possible. If it is a book, stand it upright and put clean white paper towel between the pages to help soak up the moisture. Then tell your librarian. (Ensure you have a very good reason prepared as to why you allowed your music to get wet...)
International Phonetic Alphabet
General charts
Interactive chart with a recording of all of the sounds described by the alphabet: http://www.ipachart.com/
The following are spelling to sound correspondences from a subscription service called IPA Source:
- English: https://www.ipasource.com/media/ipasource/cms/extra/diction/English%20Charts.pdf
- French: https://www.ipasource.com/media/ipasource/cms/extra/diction/French%20Charts.pdf
- German: https://www.ipasource.com/media/ipasource/cms/extra/diction/German%20Charts.pdf
- Latin: https://www.ipasource.com/media/ipasource/cms/extra/diction/Latin%20Chart.pdf
If you wanted to know what the different labels in the IPA chart mean:
Consonants
- Definitions for the next two pages: https://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~krussll/138/sec3/params.htm
- Places of articulation: https://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~krussll/138/sec3/poa-big.htm
- Manner of articulation: https://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~krussll/138/sec3/moa.htm
- Glides: https://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~krussll/138/sec3/glides.htm
Vowels
- Vowel Position: https://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~krussll/138/sec3/vowelpos.htm
- Other vowel parameters: https://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~krussll/138/sec3/morevowl.htm
- Diphthongs: https://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~krussll/138/sec3/diphth.htm
Music Deposit
QUMS has a Music Deposit system, against the potential loss or damage of the sheet music that we lend out.
Music Deposits are $20, refundable when you leave QUMS, and can be paid by cash, by bank transfer, or online (you have to be logged in as a member to see it though).
QUMS' bank account details are as follows:
BSB: 064 158
Acc: 009 009 98
Please use "MD", followed by your first initial and as much of your last name as possible, as a transaction reference. Example: "MD J Smith".
We endeavour to have your music deposit reflected in the information available to the Librarian as soon as possible, but it doesn't happen immediately. Please show the Librarian your cash receipt, or bank-transfer receipt on your phone, if you've just paid!
Social Media
Fresher Handbook
An electronic copy is attached below.
