THE REVIEWED CONSTITUTION

OF

THE GOLDEN VOICES CHOIR,

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS
CATHOLIC CHAPLAINCY,

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF
TECHNOLOGY, OWERRI,
IMO STATE.

1
SECTION 1.0:

PREAMBLE
We the members of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Choir,
Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) in Owerri
Ecclesiastical Province, having decided to cooperate, love and
be united as members of one united family, and in pursuance of
our religious obligation in the propagation of the Catholic faith,
as directed by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, do hereby
enact and give unto ourselves this constitution.

Article 1:
SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION
Sequel to the adoption of this draft, the constitution which is
subject to amendment made at a general meeting of the Golden
Voices’ Choir, is hereby vested with the force of law. It is
binding and final to all matters relating to the affairs of the
Choir as here under enacted.

However, matter(s) which are not embodied in this constitution

shall be presented to the Choir’s Panel after a general meeting
where a two – third (2/3) majority vote will be required to take
decision on such matter(s).

Article 2:
AMENDMENT/REVIEW
If necessary, this constitution shall be subject to amendment
after Five (5) years of last review, with at least 40% of contents
to be reviewed. Any motion for amendment shall be deliberated
upon in a general meeting of the Choir and a two – third (2/3)
majority vote would be required for the motion to be adopted.

2
SECTION 2.0

NAME OF ASSOCIATION
The Association shall be known as THE GOLDEN VOICES’
CHOIR, otherwise known as the ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
CATHOLIC CHAPLAINCY CHOIR, and all hereinafter in
this Constitution be referred as “The Choir”.

Article 1:
PATRON SAINT
The patron St. of the choir shall be ST.CECILIA

Article 2:
LOCATION
The location shall be ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC
CHAPLAINCY, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF
TECHNOLOGY OWERRI, IMO STATE.

Article 3:
SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
The Chaplain of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy,
FUTO, shall be the Spiritual Director of the Choir.

Article 4:
MOTTO
The motto of the choir shall be “SINGING UNTO GOD’S
GLORY”

Article 5:
SLOGAN
The slogan of the choir shall be as approved by the Owerri
Ecclesiastical Province which is
SING PRAISES --- TO THE LORD

3
 SECTION 3.0:

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The following are the aims and objective of the Choir:

i. To evangelize and promote the doctrine of the Catholic
Church through singing.
ii. To complement the efforts of the chaplain by singing
during Sunday Mass, and holy days of obligation.
iii. To teach members of the Choir in accordance with
Catholic doctrine.
iv. To sing on invitation at events such as marriages, funerals,
ordinations, baptism, thanksgiving, child dedication, and
other ceremonies as approved by the Chaplaincy.
v. To initiate and support the execution of development
projects in the chaplaincy.
vi. To prepare and attend inter-chaplaincy, inter-provincial
choral competition and other competitions approved by
the Chaplaincy.
vii. To assist the individual members to develop their singing
talents and their spiritual wellbeing to the fullest.
viii. To reach out to members of the choir in times of need,
sickness and/or financial difficulty.
ix. To invite and honor invitations from other choirs and
religious groups within the Catholic
x. Church and other churches on issues of common interest
based on the Chaplain’s approval
xi. To promote unity, Christian love, peace and discipline
among members within and outside the chaplaincy.

4
SECTION 4.0:

MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall be open to
i. Catholics who are members of the Nigerian Federation
of Catholic Students (NFCS), St. Thomas Aquinas
Catholic Chaplaincy (STACC), Federal University of
Technology, Owerri, (FUTO) chapter.
ii. Non – Catholics who must be converted by the virtue of
baptism before joining the choir.
iii. Non – Communicants who must be baptized and
receive their First Holy Communion within their first
two years as choristers.
Final Year Students who met with the requirements from article
i to iii

Article 1:
ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBER

Admission of new member shall commence and last for the first
six weeks of an academic session. Any intending member of
the Choir will be required to obtain, fill and return a registration
form. He/she shall also pay the approved fees for the copies of
songs to be produced for the session.

Furthermore, the intending member shall be put on a two

month(s) probation where his/her conduct, punctuality and
attendance will be recorded. A 70% attendance at Choir
activities will be required during the probation period.

On meeting these requirements, the intending member will be

tested on basic musical knowledge, as well as administration
knowledge of the choir that was taught during the probation

5
period. The intending member will then be required to pay
his/her sessional dues, be a fully registered member of the
Nigerian Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS) and also get
the Choirs’ uniforms for full membership to be granted.

N.B: Registration shall be open to intending members in 400

level and below. In exceptional cases, however, registration
could be open to intending members in 500 level who met with
the requirements of section 4.0, article i, ii & iii.

Article 2:
LIMITATIONS OF NEW MEMBERS
i. No playing of instruments.
ii. No taking of psalm and solo.
iii. No participation in choir’s outings.
iv. They are not allowed to contribute during choir’s
meetings.

Article 3:
SESSIONAL DUE
All bonafide members of the choir shall pay a stipulated
amount as their sessional dues at the commencement of every
session. However, new members admitted into the choir shall
pay inclusively, for the choir’s constitution alongside the
sessional dues.

Article 4:
TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION
Any intending member(s) who fails to reach 70% attendance,
will be seen to have failed the registration process but have the
right to extra two (2) processes after which, He or She will be
judged by the Choir’s panel with a two – third (2/3) vote for or

6
against. Fully registered members who met the same fate shall
fall back to probation.

SECTION 5.0:

OFFICES OF THE CHOIR

The choir shall have the following offices:
i. Appointive Office.
ii. Elective Office.

Article 1: APPOINTIVE OFFICES

Members of the Music Committee
i. Choirmaster/Choir mistress (500 Level)
ii. Assistant Choirmaster/Choir mistress (400 Level)
iii. Chief Part Leaders (500 Level)
iv. Part Leaders 1 (400 Level)
v. Part Leaders 2 (300 Level)
vi. Orchestral Head vii. Chief Keyboardist
vii. Chief Instrumentalist
viii. Curator (400 Level)
ix. Linguist (optional)
x. Curator 2(300 level)

(A) Appointed members of the Disciplinary Committee

i. The chairman (final year)
ii. 400 level representative
iii. 300 level representative
iv. 200 level representative
v. Final year representative

Article 2: ELECTIVE OFFICES

A. Members of the Executive Council:
i. The Choirmaster (automatically the coordinator)
7
 ii. Coordinator 1 (300 Level)
iii. Deputy Coordinator (300 Level)
iv. Secretary General (300 Level)
v. Assistant Secretary General (200/300Level)
vi. Financial Secretary (300 Level)
vii. Treasurer (300 Level)
viii. Public Relations Officer I (300 Level)
ix. Public Relations Officer II (200 Level)
x. Provost I (300 Level)
xi. Provost II (300 Level)

N.B: the choirmaster shall automatically become the Head

of the Executive Council and the COORDINATOR of the
choir. Also all Executive Offices of the choir shall be open to
both male and female choristers who seam befitting for any of
the offices in exception that is following the mandate of the
Nigerian Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS) constitution
guiding the Executive Council of the Elected Offices.
Therefore, by this mandate, the offices of the Secretary
General, Financial Secretary and Provost 1 shall be exclusive
for male choristers. Offices of the Deputy coordinator,
Assistant Secretary General and Treasurer shall be exclusive
for female Choristers. The other offices are however open to
either gender. Also due to the significance of prayer, the offices
of the prayer coordinator shall be APPOINTED.
In the Choir’s Disciplinary Panel, all offices shall be open to
choristers who are not part of the Executive Council, and
choristers who do not belong to the music committee.
Successive music committee shall be responsible for the
appointment of the choirmaster/choir mistress and his/her
Assistant.

8
Article 3:
DUTIES OF THE APPOINTED OFFICERS

The Choir Master

a) He/ She shall be the Head of the Choir.
b) Shall have a strong understanding of music and also good
communication skills. He/she shall also possess the
abilities of a musical liturgist and linguist respectively
c) He/ She Shall teach hymns and songs to choristers.
d) He/ She Shall conduct or appoints who conducts the choir
during masses, competitions, and ceremonies.
e) He/ She Delegates responsibilities to the assistant Choir
master/mistress.
f) He/ She Shall handle the Choir’s file where all songs,
scripts, etc. are being kept.
g) He/ She Shall represent the Choir at the choir master’s
meeting.
h) He/ She Shall appoint the members of the music
committee.

Assistant Choir Master

a) He/ She Assumes the responsibility of the choir
master/mistress in his/her absence.
b) He/ She Performs any other duty (ies) assigned to him/her
by the choir master/mistress.

Orchestral Leader/Director
Shall be the head of the choir’s orchestral team.
a) Directs and delegate duties to the members of the
orchestral team.
b) Shall work with accompanist to ensure that the music is
properly arranged for the choir.

9
 c) Organizes rehearsals and training for prospective
members.

Chief Keyboardist
a) Shall be responsible for playing the organ or piano during
the mass and other functions.
b) Directs and delegate duties to all pianist, organist, &
keyboardist in the choir.
c) Organizes rehearsals and training for prospective
keyboardists.
d) Shall work with the orchestral leader/director to ensure
that the music is properly arranged for the choir.

Part Leaders Chief part leader

a) He/she assists the provost in maintaining decorum in their
parts during choir rehearsal.
b) He/she is in charge of selecting choristers from their
respective parts for choir outings and functions.
c) He/she is charged with teaching songs in their respective
parts.
d) He/she is in charge of organizing part rehearsals.
e) He/she assigns responsibilities relating to their respective
parts.

Part leader 1
a) He/she is seen as an intermediate part leader hence, does
both the duties of the chief part leader and part leader 2
b) He/she assume the position of the chief part leader and
assist the part leader 2 when he/she is not around.

Part leader 2
a) He/she is charged with making copies for choristers in
their respective parts.

10
 b) He/she is in charge of collection of fees, levies, or dues
from his/her music part such as sessional dues, send forth
levy, retreat levy, etc, but remits to the person in charge.
c) He/she assists the part leaders in teaching.

Note: All Part Leaders Are Provosts to Their Respective Parts,

therefore assisting the provosts in working efficiently.

Chief Instrumentalist
a) Shall be the head of the choir’s native instrument.
b) Directs and delegate duties to the members of the native
instruments.
c) Organizes rehearsals and training for prospective
instrumentalists.
d) Shall work with choirmaster accompanist & orchestral
leader/director to ensure that the music is properly
arranged for the choir.

Curator
a) He/she shall be responsible for taking care of the choir’s
musical assets such as the musical instruments, sound
systems and music library etc.
b) Checks for malfunctioning instruments or gadgets and
reports to the executives.
c) Shall take custody of the choir’s instruments and
properties.
d) Also runs errands of repair or purchase of musical
instruments.

Curator 2
a) He/she shall assist the curator in the above mentioned
responsibility.
b) Linguist

11
 c) Must have a better understanding of both language and
music, and be able to bridge the two disciplines.
d) Must have good communication skills and be able to work
with the choir master/mistress and choristers.
e) Analyses the language used in songs and ensure that they
are used correctly.
f) Analyses the lyrics of songs and help the choristers to
understand and sing the words correctly.
g) Must be able to work together with the Choir
master/mistress to create a cohesive and meaningful
experience during any musical rendition, through the
combination of liturgy and music, especially during the
Holy Mass.

Article 4:
DUTIES OF THE ELECTED OFFICERS

Members of the Executive council

The Coordinator
a) Shall be the coordinator and administrative representative
of the Choir.
b) He/ She Shall preside over all general, executive and
emergency meetings of the Choir.
c) Directs the Secretary to summon all meetings of the Choir.
d) He/ She Shall ensure that the sense of the meeting on any
issue is properly ascertained and make rulings on all
matters in accordance with the majority opinion of the
Choir.
e) Directs the affairs of the Choir.
f) Represents the Choir at all ceremonies.
g) He/ She Shall be signatory to the Choir’s account.

12
The Deputy Coordinator 1
a) Assist the coordinator in the execution of his/her
administrative duties.
b) Presides over the Choir’s meeting as deputized by the
coordinator.
c) Discharges duties assigned to him/her by the coordinator.
d) He/ She Shall act as the coordinator, prior to the new
election of a new coordinator (following the contents of
article 1 in section 10 of this constitution), in cases of
expulsion, promotion, or otherwise of the coordinator.

The Secretary General

a) He/ She Shall summon all meetings as directed by the
choirmaster.
b) He/ She Shall record the minutes of all meetings.
c) He/ She Shall prepare the agenda for each meeting in
collaboration with the choirmaster.
d) Receives all correspondences of the Choir.
e) Prepares annual report of the Choir.
f) He/ She Shall keep all official documents of the Choir e.g.
registration forms, correspondences, etc.

The Assistant Secretary General

a) He/ She Shall assist and deputize for the secretary in
his/her absence.
b) He/ She Shall perform any other duty as may be assigned
to him/her.

The Financial Secretary

a) Collects all revenue accruable to the Choir and pay the
same to the treasurer within 24 hours.
b) Records all income and expenditure of the Choir.

13
 c) Raises vouchers as need arises, signs it and ensures it is
countersigned by the Choirmaster before payment.
d) He/ She Shall present a monthly, as well as annual
financial document of the Choir for auditing.
e) He/ She Shall not incur any unapproved expenditure.
f) He/ She Shall be signatory to the Choir’s account.

The Treasurer
a) Keeps the money of the choir.
b) Maintains an interest account, as determined by the
executives.
c) Issues receipts for every money paid to him/her by the
Financial Secretary.
d) He/ She Shall be signatory to the Choir’s account and pay
in all monies (save for imprest) into the bank.

The Public Relation Officer I

a) He/ She shall be in charge of press release(s), and
publicizes the activities of the choir.
b) He/ She Shall organize social activities of the Choir.
c) He/ She Shall issue membership form to New and
intending members.
d) He/ She shall be responsible for the collection, collating
as well as updating the Choir’s database.

The Public Relations Officer II

a) He/ She Shall assist the PRO I in the execution of his/her
duties.
b) He/ She Shall perform any other function assigned to
him/her.

14
The Provost I
a) He/ She Maintains order and discipline in the choir meetings
or other functions, as demanded by the Choir master.
b) He/ She Recognizes those wishing to make contributions at
meetings.
c) He/ She Shall be responsible for arrangements of meeting
venues. He/she has the power to politely call any chorister
for assistance in his job.
d) He/ She Shall assist the Financial Secretary in collection of
dues and fines when the need arises.
e) He/ She Shall assist the Curator in transporting the Choir’s
instruments and properties when needed.

The Provost II
a) He/ She Shall assist the provost I in the performance of
his/her duties.

Article 5:
AUTHORITIES OF THE CHOIR
The choir shall function under the following authorities;
1) The Authority of the Music Committee: this shall be the
highest authority of the choir because it is headed by the
choir master/mistress who happens to be the head of the
choir. Also, the main function of the choir is solely
dependent on the committee members upholding this
authority.
2) The Authority of the Executive Council: this authority
shall be recognized as important because it is by such, the
administrative representing and coordinator.
3) The Authority of the Choir’s Disciplinary committee:
with this authority, members of the panel shall have the
power to checkmate those holding offices. They also
discuss and deliberate on issues and challenges needing

15
 more clarification especially where all sections and
articles in this constitution, is limited. Aside discipline, the
panel are to sit and deliberate on issues where the authority
of this constitution is limited’
4) The Authority of the Final Year Choristers: as courtesy
would demand, this authority shall be seen as prerequisite
because it is by such that the Elders of the choir shall
operate.

SECTION 6.0:
MEETINGS
The Choir shall accommodate the following meetings:
1) General meetings
2) Executive meetings
3) Music Committee meetings
4) Canzona Committee meetings
5) The disciplinary meetings
6) Choral part meetings

Article 1:
GENERAL MEETING
General meetings shall be held on any of the practice days. This
could be moved however, in case of meeting not holding on any
of these days. The coordinator and the Secretary General shall
determine a new date of which the members of the choir must
be aware of. However, there must be general meeting at least 3
times in a semester.

Article 2:
EMERGENCY GENERAL MEETING:
This is summoned by the coordinator for the reading and
approval of situation report, financial report, et cetera.

16
Article 3:
EXECUTIVE MEETING
The Coordinator shall direct the Secretary to summon the
Executive meetings.

Article 4:
MUSIC COMMITTEE MEETINGS
This meeting shall be presided by the Choir master/mistress
with other member of the music committee in attendance. The
Choirmaster/ Choir mistress reserves the right to invite any
other member(s) of the Choir to the meeting.

NB: All meetings stated here-in above are presided by the

coordinator except the Music Committee meeting, which is
presided by the Choirmaster/Choir mistress. The Executive
reserves the right to invite the Choirmaster/Choir mistress to
her meetings where administrative issues relating to music are
to be discussed (e.g. format of semester calendar) among other
related issues.

Article 5:
CANZONA COMMITTEE MEETING
This meeting shall be presided by the Canzona Committee
Chairman, the secretary and the Heads of the Canzona sub-
committees shall be present.

Article 6:
THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Chairman of this committee presides over this meeting.
The meetings shall be held to address issues of gross
misconduct or poor performance within the choir and to
deliberate on appropriate disciplinary measures needed

17
especially in cases where this constitution has no clear
interpretation.

Article 7:
CHOIR PART MEETINGS
Music parts (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass) can have their
meetings as far as it is in concomitant to the growth and
development of their parts and the choir at large but under
surveillance of their Chief Part Leaders.

NOTE: the information or awareness of any meeting/outing

must be made known to members of the choir (especially
those involved) at least 72 hours prior to the date with the
exception of the emergency meeting. All propositions,
arguments or agreements during meetings, must be accepted
or ruled over in acceptance by a two-third (2/3) of the
members of the choir present during such meetings. Also, the
executive council shall provide refreshments to members of
the choir present in all general meetings.

Article 8:
QUORUM
The quorum for the meetings of the Choir shall be as follows:
1) GENERAL MEETING: The coordinator or any of the
deputy coordinators, The Secretary General or Assistant
Secretary General, three (3) other executive and two –
third (2/3) of all active members of the choir.
2) EXECUTIVE MEETING: The coordinator or any of the
deputy coordinators, and four (4) other executives.
3) EMERGENCY MEETING: The coordinator, two (2)
other executive, and a third (1/3) of registered active
members of the choir.

18
 4) MUSIC COMMITTEE MEETING: The choir master,
the assistant choir master, all chief part leaders, orchestral
leader, liturgist 1, linguist 1, chief instrumentalist, curator.
5) CANZONA MEETING: The choirmaster, the Canzona
chairman, and sub-committee heads.
6) PANEL MEETING: Members of the disciplinary
committee and any other persons they deem fit to invite.

Article 9:
TIME OF THE MEETING
The General Meeting of the Choir begins one (1) hour after the
commencement of choir practice on any of the practice days
during the week. Other meetings shall be scheduled as it is
convenient to the members. The duration for all meetings shall
not exceed 3 hours. Additional time shall be agreed by a two-
third (2/3) majority present in the meeting.

Article 10:
CHOIR PRACTICE
Choir practice shall be on Wednesdays and Saturdays between
2:00pm to 6:00pm. Also a mandatory rehearsal shall be
conducted before mass on Sundays.
In events of preparation for competition, special invitations,
choir concerts, etc., the Choirmaster may fix choir practice as
he/she deems necessary for the success of the event.

NB: Changes with respect to time and day shall be gotten from
the choirmaster.

SECTION 7.0:
DRESS CODE
The Choir in all her meetings, activities and programme within
and outside the Chaplaincy shall maintain a decent standard in

19
 dressing and modesty. Sleeveless shirts and blouses, shorts,
mini-skirts, crop tops, singlet, three-quarter length trousers, and
dresses with transparent fabrics which reveal, rather than
conceal the figures of the wearer is prohibited for all choristers.
The Choir’s uniforms for different occasions shall be:
Liturgical Robes – at least once in two (2) months. Also, when
necessary.
Burial / Requiem / Wedding Masses – A dress code will be
chosen by the Choirmaster/mistress or the Music Committee.

N.B: The Choir shall at some point involve trends in their dress
code as may be deemed fit for its functions within and outside
the Chaplaincy and with respect to weather conditions, but
must exhibit absolute decency.

SECTION 8.0:
ELECTIONS
The Choir shall hold her elections a month before
HARMATTAN (1st) semester exam of every session.
Handover and swearing in of the Elects shall take place two (2)
weeks after elections, and must be done during the choir’s
General meeting. The following offices shall be open for voting
i. Coordinator 1 (300 Level)
ii. Deputy Coordinator 2 (300 Level)
iii. Secretary General (300 Level)
iv. Assistant Secretary General (300/200 Level)
v. Financial Secretary (300 Level)
vi. Treasurer (300 Level)
vii. Public Relations Officer I (300 Level)
viii. Public Relations Officer II (200 Level)
ix. Provost I (300 Level)
x. Provost II (300 Level)

20
Article 1:
ELIGIBILITY
Only fully registered financially update choristers in year 2 &3,
and must be a fully registered member of the Nigerian
Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS), are eligible to contest
in the elections. Members on probation or suspension are not
eligible to contest. Below are the electoral guidelines:
1. Election shall be secret ballot system and the winner shall
be determined by a simple majority vote.
2. Member on probation cannot vote and cannot be voted for.
3. Candidates for election shall be nominated for him/her to
be eligible to contest.
4. There shall be three nominees for elections to each post.
5. Every member has a right to cast his/her vote only once in
each of the elective offices.
6. A member could be re-nominated for another post in case
of an unsuccessful attempt in a previous nomination.
7. In case of tie among contestants, the votes shall be
repeated among those that tied. If the tie is not broken, the
Returning Officers (i.e the electoral committee) will cast
lots to determine the winner.
8. Anyone who satisfies the conditions for the eligibility
could serve a 2nd consecutive tenure. However, no
member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive tenures
in the Executive council.
9. Offering material inducement to the voters and disrupting
the peaceful conduct of elections, are electoral
malpractices. Any person found guilty of these offence
shall be disqualified, and stopped from voting and being
voted for .
10.Those who shall vote or be voted for must have spent at
least one (1) session in the choir.

21
N.B: There shall be a by-election for any office found to be
obviously wanting or in cases of expulsion or otherwise.

Article 2:
ELECTORAL/VOTING SYSTEM
For all elections, there shall be three (3) random nominations
by the choristers for each of the offices listed in section 4,
article 5. Then the general house shall vote the nominees for
each office. The nominee with the highest vote shall be
declared the winner.

Article 3:
TENURE OF OFFICE
The tenure of the office for all appointed and elected offices
shall be one (1) academic session.

SECTION 9.0:

PATRONS/PATRONESSES
The Choir shall have as many Patrons/Patronesses as possible.
They shall be Catholics who have shown a genuine
commitment towards the welfare of the Choir.
Patron/Patronesses of the Choir shall therefore be expected to
offer both financial and moral assistance to the Choir.
Patron/Patronesses shall be expected to attend at least one (1)
of the general meeting of the Choir within an academic session.
The appointment of the Patron/Patroness shall be revoked if
he/she failed to live up to his/her Christian expectation e.g.
marrying a second wife of vice-versa. However, the
appointment is terminated at death.

22
Article 1:
APPOINTMENT OF PATRON/PATRONESSES
Any member who wishes to nominate someone as
Patron/Patroness of the Choir should inform the house in a
general meeting. If the nomination is accepted, a nominee shall
be informed of the decision of the house. On acceptance of
his/her nomination, the Choir shall confirm his/her
appointment as Patron/Patroness of the Choir.

SECTION 10.0:
THE NAMING OF A CHOIR MASTER/MISTRESS.
The incumbent Choir master/mistress shall nominate a
chorister before the end of his/her tenure of office. This
nominee shall be the successor of incumbent assistant choir
master/mistress (i.e once the assistant choir master/mistress
becomes the head of the choir, this nominee shall be his/her
assistant).
Also in situations where there is a choirmaster and choir
mistress in the same level, the head of the choir shall be the
nominated successor of the Emeritus choirmaster/mistress.

Article 1:
ELIGIBILITY
1. The nominee(s) must be a devoted regular chorister(s)
who can interpret sol-fa and teach the choir effectively.
2. The nominee(s) must be given good remarks by their
Chief Part Leaders and level mates iii. The nominee(s)
must not be found wanting in all articles of Section 4.0 of
the constitution.

NB: The Assistant Choirmaster/mistress shall automatically

become the Choirmaster/mistress once the incumbent
Choirmaster/mistress leaves office unless in the cases of death,

23
questionable characters, expulsion etc, a new choir master shall
be voted for by the music committee and anybody they deem
fit.
In case of expulsion, death or otherwise, the music committee
as well as at least two – third (2/3) of final year students shall
vote for a Choirmaster/mistress.
Only chorister(s) in final year who met the three (3) criteria
article 1 of section 10, shall be voted for.
The Choirmaster/mistress tenure expires after His / Her
graduation.

Article 2:
OATH TAKING
This rite shall be done during the send forth ceremony of the
elders of the choir. The assistant choir master/mistress and the
qualified nominee of the incumbent choir master/mistress shall
take the oath of service and stewardship in becoming the choir
master/mistress and assistant choir master/mistress.

SECTION 11.0:

THE COMMITTEES OF THE CHOIR

Article 1:
STANDING COMMITTEES
The following shall be the standing committees of the Choir.
1. Welfare Committee
2. Social Committee
3. Media / Publicity Committee
4. Prayer committee

Welfare Committee
This Committee shall be made up of seven (7) members (A
level representative each, including the PRO I and II). The

24
committee shall have a Head and Assistant (for the sub –
committees) respectively from final year.

Social Committee
The committee shall be made up of five (5) members appointed
by the Executive Council and presented to the house for
approval.
The duties of the committee include: Organizing the Choir sent-
forth party for all her graduating final year student, organizing
excursions, picnics, sports, and other social functions for the
Choir.

Media Committee
Due to evolution and trends in the media world, this committee
shall be the media arm of the choir. It shall consist of a head
and an assistant and choristers who are excellent with the media
technology and advancements to help in the following:
1. Publicizing the choir’s functional activities on the media.
2. Handle the social media handles of the choir.
3. Recording and making good videos of the choir’s
performances either during rehearsals, mass, or other
renditions as directed by the choirmaster.

Prayer Committee
This committee shall be the choir’s spiritual arm, and shall have
a leader and 2 assistants. Also, members in this committee are
obliged to do the following:
a) Shall lead all prayers during the choir’s gathering.
b) Shall delegate choristers to pray during all choir’s
gathering.
c) Shall prepare choristers for spiritual growth.
d) Shall make announcement of any mandatory fasting and
prayer.

25
 e) Shall play a major role during the choir’s retreat

Article 2:
AD-HOC COMMITTEES
The Executive Council has the power to form an Ad-hoc
Committee to execute or organize any project, function or
activity for the Choir. The following are Ad-hoc Committees
of the Choir:
a) Constitution Review Committee
b) Electoral Committee
c) Canzona Committee

Constitution Review Committee

This Committee shall be made up of five (5) members
appointed by the Executive Council and presented to the choir
for approval.
The Committee shall be set up when article 2 of Section 1 above
is met as stated here in. The duties of this Committee include
review and amendments to Sections and articles of the
constitution in the best interest of the Choir and in line with
present trends. This committee shall work independently and
the reviewed work shall be presented to the general house
where it shall be adopted as a working document.

Electoral Committee
This Committee shall be made up of five (3) members selected
by the Executives presented to the general house for approval.
They must be in their final year. Their duty is to conduct the
choir’s election for a new set of executives. This committee
shall be independent but should in case their activities are found
questionable, they shall face the Choir’s panel.

26
Canzona Committee
This committee shall be set up for the actualization of the
Choir’s yearly concert; CANZONA. The choir master shall
appoint all members of this committee. The committee shall
consist of a Chairman who shall be the head, the Vice-
chairman, Secretary and several Subcommittee heads. The
Chairman and SubCommittee heads shall be final year
members of the Choir with the exception of a case where no
finalist is found worthy of the offices.

The duties of the Committee include: Planning, Executive and

Piloting affairs for the Canzona concert. There is no limit to the
number of members to this Committee. As all the members of
the Choir are to belong to at least one Sub-Committee.
The canzona planning committee shall have the following sub-
committees with a head and two (2) assistants:
1. Sponsorship team
2. Finance team
3. Logistics team
4. Media & Publicity team
5. Power & Light team
6. Video & Sound team
7. Uniform
8. Arts, crafts & Decoration team
9. Welfare team
10.Prayer team
11.Security & Ushering team

All teams are answerable to the chairman of the canzona

planning committee, while both the music and planning
committee, are answerable to the choir master/mistress. There
is no limit to the number of members to these sub-committees

27
or teams. All the members of the Choir shall belong to at least
one Subcommittee.

Note that: This committee is formed by the Choirmaster and

every member is answerable to Him / Her, and the choir shall
at some point support this committee where deemed necessary.

SECTION 12.0:

RIGHT AND PRIVILEGES

Members of the Choir shall enjoy the following right and
privileges.

SEND FORTH: The Choir shall organize a send-forth party

for all her graduating final students. Gifts shall also be
presented to them. Certificate shall be presented to consistent
members with 70% and above attendance. Only cleared
members who held executive positions, choir masters/mistress
and canzona chairman shall be issued certificate of office.

SICK MEMBERS: In the event of a sick Chorister, the Choir

shall be duly informed, and shall pay a visit where gift shall be
presented if the sick chorister is hospitalized.
Note that: The welfare Committee shall co-ordinate all visits
to sick choristers and shall determine/arrange any gift(s) to be
presented.

MARRIAGE: Any chorister that is wedding shall be presented

with the sum of ₦5,000 (Five Thousand Naira) by the choir.
His/her level mates shall also make contributions in addition to
this amount. If he/she wants the Choir to sing at the wedding,
these shall be done free of charge. However, he/she shall

28
provide transportation, feeding and accommodation (if
necessary) for the Choir.
Note that: If the couple are choristers, they shall be given their
right on the bases of their individual membership.

CHILD DEDICATION: If a chorister is dedicating his/her

child in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, the Choir
shall sing in the dedication mass for the chorister free of charge.
Where the dedication is to be done outside St. Thomas Aquinas
Catholic chaplaincy, the chorister shall on inviting the Choir
arrange and provide transportation and refreshment for the
Choir.

DEATH OF A CHORISTER: On the death of a chorister, the

choir shall present the sum of ₦10, 000 (Ten Thousand Naira)
to the choristers’ parents or next of kin. His/her level mates
shall also make contributions in addition to this amount. The
Choir shall sing at the requiem mass and vigil (wake keeping)
of the chorister.
Furthermore, the Choir shall cater for the transportation and
feeding for the burial if the Chaplaincy/N.F.C.S does not do
that.

DEATH OF A CHORISTER’S PARENT(S): On the death

of a chorister’s parent(s), the choir shall pay him/her a
condolence visit where of sum of ₦5,000 (Five Thousand
Naira) shall be presented to him/her. His/her level mates shall
also make contributions in addition to this amount.

NOTE THAT ALL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES ARE

STRICTLY FOR REGULAR AND FINANCIALLY UP TO
DATE CHORISTERS.

29
SECTION 13.0:
DISCIPLINE
The Choir shall maintain and enforce strict level of discipline
among choristers. Any offence or misconduct committed by
choristers shall be liable to punishment. The choir Master and
part leaders shall also enforce order and discipline during Choir
practices and mass. For special cases, the disciplinary
committee shall recommend appropriate punishment for
offenders.

SECTION 14.0:
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
1. LATENESS: Lateness to Choir practices/masses and
Choir meetings shall pay a fine of Fifty Naira (₦50). A
chorister is regarded to have come late after a grace period
of Fifteen Minutes (15 minutes) from commencement
time, after which the chorister pays the fine. However, an
hour (1 hour) after commencement time without genuine
reason(s), shall be taken as being absent or you pay
double.
N.B: An Excuse Letter Submitted 24hours before
rehearsal/meetings or Text Message sent an hour (30
minutes) before commencement time shall be accepted
and no penalties shall be enforced on such chorister.
2. ABSENTEEISM: Any chorister who is absent from choir
practices /2 masses without any Excuse letter or message
shall be liable to pay the sum of Seventy Naira (₦70) for
each day of absenteeism as registered in the Provost’s
register. (Especially on obligated days of the choir
rehearsals)
3. Disorderly conducts and noise making which interrupts
choir activities shall attract a fine One Hundred Naira
(₦100).

30
4. Gross disobedience or rudeness to the Choir
Master/Mistress, Executives or any chorister shall attract
a suspension of not less two weeks.
5. Willful failure to put on Choir uniform on appointed days
shall attract a fine of One Hundred Naira (₦100), and the
chorister shall not sing with the Choir.
6. Fighting or quarreling in the choir will attract an indefinite
suspension of those involved.
7. Any chorister who owes arrears of sessional dues and fines
for more than one month is regarded as not being
financially up to date, and shall lose his/her financial
rights and privileges.
N.B: At general meetings, every chorister must be
financially up to date.
8. The Choir has the right to prosecute any chorister who
embezzles her fund or willfully damages her property. The
accused person shall be given one month pay up, and
failing to do this, his/her name shall be forwarded to the
Chaplain for further actions.
9. All choristers must come to every choir practices and
Sunday mass with their choir files. Any chorister who
comes without his/her files shall be sent back to bring it
along.
10. Any chorister who lives with a partner (Cohabitation)
without been wedded in the church shall be suspended
indefinitely. If he/she is holding an office, he/she shall be
stripped of the post. (A by-election shall be held to fill the
post within one week).
11. Any immodestly dressed chorister shall not be allowed
to sit with the Choir and shall pay a fine of One Hundred
Naira (N100). For the female choristers they shall put on
head ties, they shall not put on sleeveless dresses,
transparent wears or trousers and shorts. For the male

31
 choristers, they shall not put on caps, sleeveless shirts or
shorts.
12. Any chorister that does a solo outstanding performance
and gets appreciated (by cash or other gifts) by the
audience/congregation, he/she is allowed to take said
appreciation depending on the basis of the performance.
13. Choristers found to be committing adultery or fornication
shall be suspended indefinitely.
14. Any female chorister found pregnant when she is not
married, shall be expelled. The same applies to any male
chorister suspected to be responsible for any unlawful
pregnancy.
15. Abortion is inhuman, and an unchristian act. It is
absolutely prohibited in the Choir. Any offender or
accomplice will be expelled from the choir.

NOTE: The Executive council in collaboration shall determine

the length of any indefinite suspension. On expiration of all
suspension, an apology letter must be tendered before the Choir
and before such a chorister is re-admitted.
All choristers must pay outstanding debts, dues, levies,
allocated fees etc, so as to be cleared for the next session or for
sent forth (final year). Failure to do this, the chorister shall be
placed under probation.

SECTION 15.0
CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR SINGING DURING
MASS.
Choristers who can sing with choir on Sunday must satisfy the
following conditions:
1. He/she must participate in the Sunday morning rehearsals
before mass.

32
 2. H/she must have a sound knowledge of the songs and the
dynamics implemented by the choir master/mistress.
3. He/she must have attended both practices on Wednesday
and Saturdays practice. However, any chorister who
attends one of either Wednesday’s, or Saturday’s practice,
and has an excuse letter covering him/her for missing one
of the practices can sing with the choir on Sunday.

N.B: Irrespective of attendance of choir practices during the

week, failure to participate in the Sunday morning rehearsals
disqualifies any chorister from singing with the choir on
Sunday mass.

SECTION 16.0:
SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES.
The Choir shall be involved in special engagements and
activities as the need arises. The following are the requirements
for such engagements and activities:
1. NAMING CEREMONY (CHILD DEDICATION):
The Celebrant for any naming ₦20,000 (Twenty
Thousand Naira)
2. WEDDING CEREMONY: The couple if members of
the Chaplaincy, shall give the Choir the sum of ₦20,000
(Twenty Thousand Naira). If the wedding will be taking
place outside St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy,
the couple shall in addition to the ₦20,000 (Twenty
Thousand Naira), food and drinks, provide transportation
for the Choir. If non-members of the Chaplaincy, the
couple shall give the Choir a sum agreed by the Executive
which shall not be less than ₦30,000 (Thirty Thousand
Naira) provide transportation, food and drinks, and
accommodation (if need be) for the Choir.

33
 3. BURIAL: The Choir shall sing at the requiem mass of any
member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy
₦10,000 (Ten Thousand Naira) If the requiem mass is to
be held outside the Chaplaincy, transportation shall be
provided for the Choir. For non-members of the
Chaplaincy, the sum of ₦30, 000 (Thirty Thousand Naira)
shall be paid, refreshments (food and drinks) and
transportation provided.

N.B: if the celebrant happens to be an alumnus of the Choir,

he/she shall provide the Choir with food and drinks. However,
the Choir shall sing at the mass free of charge. If the event is
take place outside St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy,
transportation and feeding will be provided for by the celebrant.

SECTION 17.0:
BANKING
The Choir shall operate a savings account with any convenient
consolidated bank. THE CHOIRMASTER, THE
TREASURER, and THE CHAPLAIN shall be signatories to
the Choir’s account.
In case of emergency, two signatories to the account should be
allowed to access the account.
Note that: the criteria for banking shall be in agreement with
the chaplaincy’s guidelines.

SECTION 18.0:
EFFECTIVE DATE
The review of the formal constitution of the Golden Voices
Choir led by UMUNNA, Stephen started on the 10th day of
March, 2023 and it came to a conclusion on the 10th day of
September, 2023.

34
This Constitution shall come to be, after it has been read in the
general meeting. The Choirmaster or Deputy Coordinator, shall
call for its adoption and will be so adopted if supported by 2/3
majority of the choristers present at the meeting. The adopted
constitution shall be presented to the Choir by the Chairman
and Secretary of the Constitution Review Committee.

APPENDIX

APPRECIATION

The Constitution Review Committee before its completion was

a long-standing committee with student members inaugurated
in and out of session after the dissolution of subsequent
committees to ensure the complete review of this documents.
To this, on behalf of members of the Golden Voices’ Choir,
STACC, FUTO. We wish to thank immensely the members
who initiated the constitution review process, all members who
served in the committee at one time or the other until the
penultimate Constitution Review Committee made up of the
following;

UMUNNA, STEPHEN Chairman

IKPE SANDRA Member
OPHROTE SILAS Member
UZOCHUKWU ELOCHUCUKWU Member
NERSES
IFECHUKWU FRANCIS Choir’s president

35
LIST OF THE CHOIR’S CONSTITUTION REVIEW
CHAIRMAN
1. OKEREKE, GINIKACHUKWU 07066280067
2. NKEGWU JOEL (2022) 08024980549
3. UMUNNA, STEPHEN (2023) 08024980549

ENDORSEMENT

………………………………………….
UMUNNA, STEPHEN.
Chairman, Constitution Review Committee.

……………………..……………………………
NZOPUTA, DIVINE-GIFT KENECHUKWU.
Choirmaster 2022/2023 session

…………………………………………….
REV, FR .COSMOS OSUIGWE.
Chaplain/Spiritual Director

36