Member Welcome Guide

1. Introduction

a. History

b. People

c. Organization

d. Dues

e. Mission

f. How to Join

2. Orchestra Member Responsibilities

a. Rehearsal Information: Location & Time

b. What to Bring

c. Rehearsal Cancellation Policy

d. Absenteeism Policy

e. What to Expect

3. Concert Information

a. Dates

b. Venues

c. What to Bring

d. Attire

4. Music Library and Sheet Music

5. Ways to Support SECCO

6. Troubleshooting

7. Contact Information

Introduction

History

SECCO (Southeastern Connecticut Community Orchestra) began in early 2022 when a large group of musicians and Music Director Hilarie Clark Moore discussed starting an orchestra that would embody core values: Accountability, Respect, Transparency, Teamwork, Inclusion, and Community. A series of well-attended reading sessions in Winter and Spring of 2022 demonstrated that there was enough interest to fill all the sections of a symphony orchestra, and play masterpieces of the symphonic repertoire. Volunteers from the orchestra formed a Board of Directors, and began the formal process of incorporating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in Summer of 2022. The Town of Waterford has co-sponsored SECCO as part of their recreational programming, and generously hosts rehearsals and performances in the Waterford Community Center.

People

Our orchestra members come from the greater Southeastern Connecticut region, including Rhode Island, and reflect a diversity of backgrounds. Some of our members are learning their instrument as an adult, and some of our members have extensive formal training. Some of us have played with each other in other area ensembles in the past, and some are brand new to playing in an ensemble. All of us are volunteers, and we seek to be supportive, encouraging, and inclusive.

Our Music Director, Dr. Hilarie Clark Moore, has expertise in developing our skills as musicians and nurturing an orchestra from its founding. These talents make her an exceptional colleague and supplement her extensive professional biography, comprehensive formal education, training, experience as a musician, leader, conductor and music director. We are so excited that Hilarie is a part of SECCO and is helping us build our new orchestra.

Organization

SECCO is a formal membership organization, which means that we are a non-profit that grants its members specific rights to participate in its internal affairs. In addition to the opportunity to play your instrument, your participation in SECCO means that you are a ‘Member’ and will have a voice in the operation of the orchestra. Perhaps the most important responsibility of each Member is to attend an Annual Meeting and elect the Board of Directors. We also count on Members to volunteer their skills and time to help with tasks essential to keep our orchestra running, and hope that you’ll consider participating in our orchestra beyond playing your instrument.

SECCO has a Board of Directors that meets regularly to make important decisions about our orchestra. In addition, Board members help to manage Committees and take on other important roles in the orchestra. Committees are smaller groups of volunteers that meet and work on issues such as fundraising, grant-writing, budget, administration, library upkeep, etc. Roles might include ‘Librarian’ or ‘Personnel Manager’. If you’re interested in participating on a Committee, attending a board meeting, or volunteering on a project, we welcome you! Please contact a Board Member (see directory below).

Dues

SECCO relies heavily on dues to help fund our operating budget, especially as we are in the early stages of organizational development. The Board of Directors has approved dues to be $75.00 per musician. Our dues alone only cover a small portion of our expenses this year (approximately 20%). We welcome any additional support you can offer as we establish our orchestra.

We understand that not everyone is in a financial position to make a $75 payment. If you find yourself unable to pay $75, please give what you are able, consider making several smaller payments, and know that musical talent is the most important contribution any of us can make.

Options: cash, check, PayPal, Venmo.

Please make checks (dues and donations) out to:

SECCO, P.O. Box 484, Waterford, CT 06385

To pay your dues online, please visit our member page to access QR codes and links.

If you prefer to pay by cash or you need financial accommodations to make SECCO financially accessible to you, please contact Jan Frymyer (Treasurer) for more information at jfrymyer@comcast.net

Mission

Our mission statement: The Southeastern Connecticut Community Orchestra (SECCO) connects and supports volunteer musicians, inspiring them to share their joy of music through the practice and performance of symphonic literature in community spaces.

Orchestra Member Responsibilities

Rehearsal Information

Rehearsals are from 6:45-8:45 pm on Wednesday evenings, at the Waterford Community Center, 24 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford CT, 06385.

The rehearsal space will typically be open by 6:15. Musicians should be in their seats, ready for tuning by 6:45 pm. Rehearsal schedules will be provided and closely adhered to. There is abundant free parking on site. Please note that we will start earlier this season at 6:45 pm, not 7:00 pm.

What to Bring

Please bring your music. Parts for your instrument/s can be downloaded from SECCO’s online library on Google Drive. Please access the library as described in the “Music Library & Sheet Music” section below. You can download the parts onto a tablet or print them out on paper, as you prefer. Please note that all string players should bring their own parts to each rehearsal and performance, even if you expect your stand partner to share their music with you.

Please bring your instrument and related accessories. If you need help procuring an instrument, or you are a percussion player, please contact our Music Director to discuss options. Please bring a music stand (even if you expect your stand partner to bring theirs) and a pencil. There is no need to bring a chair to rehearsal.

Rehearsal Cancellation Policy

All rehearsal schedule changes will be announced at least one week in advance except in cases of inclement weather or other emergencies. In those cases, cancellations will be announced by 3:00 pm on the day of the rehearsal and by noon on the day of a concert. Members will be notified by group email, and the emergency cancellation will also be announced on the SECCO website and Instagram/Facebook page.

Absenteeism Policy

SECCO musicians are expected to attend all rehearsals (when their parts are needed, as indicated on the rehearsal schedule). Musicians should try their very best to attend all rehearsals for a performance, although we understand that family emergencies, medical situations and other scheduling conflicts do occur. If you’re unable to attend a rehearsal or concert, please email seccorchestra@gmail.com AND hilarie.clark.moore@gmail.com AND members of your section (stand partner and section leader) as early as possible so that they can arrange to cover your parts.

What to Expect

Our Music Director and Conductor Dr. Hilarie Clark Moore selects challenging and enjoyable repertoire and plans out rehearsals to help us be prepared for each performance. We are planning on 4 performances this season, including two classical concerts, a holiday concert, and a pops concert. We try our best to learn our parts before rehearsals so that our rehearsal time is used most efficiently. We will play sections of music and prepare pieces for performances, with feedback and guidance from our conductor. If you need help transposing or modifying your parts to make them more accessible, please contact our Music Director or your section leader.

A gentle reminder: The purpose of a rehearsal is to learn everyone else’s part… never your own! Your own preparation is your welcoming gift to your colleagues.

Concert Information

Concert dates will be provided in advance. It is assumed that all those who participate in rehearsals will perform at the concerts. To assure readiness of the orchestra for a performance, musician attendance is mandatory for the last two rehearsals before each concert. Exceptions can be made in advance with the conductor’s permission.

Performances are the culmination of our musical learning and collaboration, and the gift we bring our audiences and each other. Bring a joyful spirit to the concert as you share your music with others!

2023-2024 Season Concert Dates

November 5, Sunday, 2:00 pm, Works of Passion, Waterford Community Center

December 16, Saturday, 2:00 pm, Making Holiday Memories, Waterford Community Center

March 16, Saturday, Imagery Through Music, 7:30 pm, Evans Hall, Connecticut College

May 19, Sunday, Shall We Dance?, 2:00 pm, Waterford Community Center

What to Bring

Please bring your music, instruments, and music stands (unless told otherwise). And audience members!

Attire

Black tie, white shirt, black jacket/tux, black pants, black socks and black shoes; OR black shirt/blouse and black slacks/skirt and black shoes; OR black dress with black hosiery and black shoes. All skirts and slacks should be below knee-length when sitting.

There is no need to wear concert black to a dress rehearsal.

Music Library & Sheet Music

SECCO Musicians are responsible for careful handling of all hard copies of the music distributed to the orchestra. Protect music from unnecessary exposure to food, drinks, pets, or the weather. All markings on the music must be in pencil. Return all hard copy music to the librarian after each concert. If rental music is distributed, all musicians are financially responsible for lost music or music returned late if the orchestra incurs a late fee from the rental agency. If page turns are difficult, copy your music and arrange it for ease of movement and stability during the rehearsals and the concert.

Please go to our Music Library to locate, download, and print out your parts. The link for our Music Library can be found in the SECCO Google drive. Let us know if you’re having trouble accessing it. Copies can be made for you with prior notice; please email seccorchestra@gmail.com in advance of rehearsal if you need copies provided for you.

Ways to Support SECCO

Musicians are at the heart of our orchestra. We count on volunteers to do everything from folding programs to working on grant applications. If you have an idea to improve SECCO, to raise money, or you’d like to volunteer etc, please contact a Board Member. If you’d like to make a financial contribution, please contact our treasurer, Jan Frymyer.

There are many ways SECCO musicians can support the orchestra. The following are a few ways you can help to make rehearsals and concerts a success and an enjoyable experience for everyone:

Bring in the concert audience! Invite as many friends and family as you can and assist with advertising in the community and surrounding towns, so we can have a full house at each concert.
Recruit new members into the orchestra. Ask the conductor which sections need more players and seek opportunities to promote SECCO to other musicians and encourage them to join.
Support the concerts by distributing flyers and posters or share the SECCO website or Facebook page through your favorite social media.
Help to set up and dismantle the space for each rehearsal and concert.
Contact area businesses to inquire about sponsoring a concert or placing an advertisement in our concert program. We have brochures available to facilitate these requests.

Troubleshooting

We value everyone’s feedback about their experience in SECCO, and we hope to address any concerns or problems as quickly and fairly as possible in alignment with our shared values.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding SECCO as an organization, please contact the President of our Board of Directors (Sue Butler). We may wish to add your concern to the agenda of a Board Meeting, or we may be able to address concerns informally.

Concerns about parts you’re assigned or where you sit in a section should be addressed to the principal of your section and/or the Music Director. Part assignment and seating is at the discretion of our Music Director with input from section principals.

Concerns about music, programming, or rehearsals can be addressed to your section principal, the concertmaster, and/or our Music Director.

Contact Information

seccorchestra@gmail.com

SECCO, P.O. Box 484, Waterford, CT 06385

Music Director

Dr. Hilarie Clark Moore hilarie.clark.moore@gmail.com

Board of Directors

President: Susan Butler

Vice President: William Shea

Treasurer: Jan Frymyer

Secretary: Kathleen Mason

Officers: Martin Koos, Kate Lamoureux, Theresa Mazzaferro, Cindy McGrath, Hilarie Clark Moore (ex officio)