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CHOIR CONSTITUTION
1. NAME
1.1 The name of the Society shall be Harmonious Melodies Chamber Choir
hereinafter referred to as the Choir.
2 AIMS & OBJECTIVES
2.1 To enrich, inspire, motivate, and engage the community in hymns and sacred songs.
2.2 To promote and foster the standard of music.
2.3 To encourage creativity of Sacred Music.
3 MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Membership of the Choir is open to any individual aged 16 or over, who supports
the aims of the Choir and how it operates, on completion of the membership form the
membership fee will be included.
3.2 The Choir shall be open to members with an audition or ability to read music;
singing or musical experience or skill shall not be a requirement.
3.3 The Committee will decide the termly membersheep fees at the beginning of each
year. It will be based on keeping costs as low as possible for members and offering
lower rates for low income and unwaged members. These concessionary fees will apply
as agreed by the Committee.
3.4 Membership numbers may have a maximum applied at the discretion of the Musical
Director (MD)
3.5 The Committee reserves the right to refuse or revoke membership of an individual
for breaching this constitution, for any action that negatively affects the interests of
the Choir and its members, or for bringing the Choir into disrepute.
4 REHEARSALS
4.1 Rehearsals will take place weekly during term-time and may include a taster
session at the start of term. Additional rehearsals may be arranged as required by the
Musical Director
4.2 The committee will endeavour to provide continuity of singing activities in the
event of the MD being unable to do so.
HARMONIOUS MELODY CHAMBER CHOIR (HMCC) #teammaestro
CONSTITUTION
5 PERFORMANCE
5.1 The Choir will perform in all concerts and competitions and other events or public
performances.
5.2 Performance opportunities may be suggested by the MD or any member of the
choir. The MD shall have the final say on performances which will depend on
availability and other commitments.
5.3 Members of other choirs led by the MD may be invited to join with performances as
appropriate, at the MD’s discretion.
6 MUSICAL DIRECTOR (MD)
6.1 The MD is responsible for all musical aspects of the choir ie will lead the choir in
rehearsals and performances, and manage the repertoire .
7 OFFICERS/COMMITTEE
7.1 The day-to-day running of the Choir will be carried out by a committee elected
from the members, consisting of Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and up to
7 other elected members plus the Musical Director (MD) in ex-officio capacity.
7.2 Roles and duties may be combined or allocated to a different officer if necessary.
A Chairperson will be elected by the Committee members from within their body.
Maximum period of office for the Chair is 3 years.
7.3 Other Members of the Committee may volunteer or be co-opted to take on the
following roles: Publicity Officer, Minute Secretary (where different from secretary),
events coordinator, venue coordinator.
8 ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE
8.1 The Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Secretary and other Committee members
shall be elected annually by the membership with all positions open for competition.
Elections shall take place in the AGM at the end of the summer term.
The Committee may co-opt new members during the year as necessary. New positions
should take effect following any necessary 'hand-over' period.
8.2 The running of all Choir elections shall be the responsibility of the Secretary.
8.3 An individual may be responsible for the duties of more than one position at any
given time.
8.4 Individuals may be re-elected to the same, or different, positions on the
Committee.
HARMONIOUS MELODY CHAMBER CHOIR (HMCC) #teammaestro
CONSTITUTION
8.5 Choir members will be informed of the date of the AGM, election, positions
available and nomination procedure at least 21 days prior to voting taking place. The
names of nominated candidates will be circulated at least one week prior to the AGM.
8.6 Candidates may nominate themselves for a position and they may vote for
themselves. All nominations should be seconded.
8.7 Members may vote once per position and the candidate with the highest number of
votes shall duly be elected.
8.8 Members of the Choir are eligible to vote for at least one term since the previous
AGM.
8.9 Email or written votes may be accepted from members who cannot attend the AGM
if received by the Secretary before the start of the meeting. In the absence of any
member of the committee their duties may be delegated to another committee
member. Alternatively another choir member may be co-opted to fulfil such duties. An
Officer who delegates duties still holds the responsibility for ensuring they are carried
out appropriately.
9 MEETINGS AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
9.1 Minutes will be available to all members and the MD.
9.2 Committee meetings shall be held at least once a term plus the AGM.
9.3 An AGM will be held at the end of the singing year
9.4 At the AGM the Chair and MD shall each present a report of activities for the
previous year and the Treasurer shall present a statement of accounts.
9.5 The quorum for the AGM shall be ten members or one quarter of the membership,
whichever is the greatest. Failure to achieve quorum shall mean that the meeting has
no constitutional competence.
9.6 Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM's) may be called in the same way as an AGM.
The quorum for such meetings shall be ten members or one quarter of the
membership, whichever is the greatest.
9.7 All members may attend and speak at AGM's or EGM's and may propose a motion or
vote at such a meeting.
10 COMPLAINTS
10.1 Any complaints about the running or operations of the choir should be brought to
the attention of the Secretary who will present the issue to the committee at its next
meeting.
HARMONIOUS MELODY CHAMBER CHOIR (HMCC) #teammaestro
CONSTITUTION
11. BANK ACCOUNT
11.1 The Treasurer will operate and maintain the bank account in the name of the
choir. All cheques to have two signatures and at least three signatories will be able to
sign cheques.
11.2 A copy of the Choir's most recent bank statement will be available to any member
on request.
12. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION
12.1 Changes to the constitution and agreement to close the choir may only be made
at the AGM or at an EGM to which all members are invited. 21 days written notice must
be made to all members before such a meeting. At least three members should be
involved in the proposition and the proposal should be carried by 66% of the
membership present.
12.2 No changes may be made to the Aims or Winding Up sections of the Constitution.
13. WINDING UP
13.1 The Choir can only be wound up by a vote at the AGM or an EGM in accordance
with 12 above. The balance of the assets following the payment of any outstanding
fees/bills will be given to a charity agreed by the members.
________________ Dated: 2 April 2021
Chairperson
________________ Dated: 2 April 2021
Secretary
________________ Dated: 2 April 2021
Musical Director
HARMONIOUS MELODY CHAMBER CHOIR (HMCC) #teammaestro
CONSTITUTION
