PURPOSE

The purpose of the McDonough Choral Society is to nurture and cultivate classical choral music and its inspirational appeal for participants and audience, and to instill in its members a desire to excel in performance capabilities. Literature to be performed will include, but not be limited to, choral works of the following composers: Bach, Handel, Mozart, Brahms, Schubert, Stainer and others.

McDonough Choral Society
700 South Lafayette Street
Macomb, IL 61455-2954
Telephone: 309-833-1203
E-mail: sing@macomb.com

CONDUCTOR
The musical leadership of the McDonough Choral Society is under the baton of Susan Shoemaker. Mrs. Shoemaker received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Knox College and a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University. She taught choral music for eighteen years in public schools in Morrison and Mundelein, Illinois, Music Appreciation at Spoon River College in Macomb, Illinois, and also teaches private voice. Her vocal studies were with Creston Klingman at Knox College, E. Clifford Toren at Northwestern University, and Sonia Sharnova at the Chicago Conservatory of Music.

She was soprano soloist at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, IL for eleven years and performed extensively in the northern suburbs of Chicago, appearing as Mother in Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck, Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors by Menotti, and Mrs. Gobineau in The Medium by Menotti. She has sung the soprano solo part in many choral works as well.

As head of the Choral Music Section at Lyon and Healy Music in Chicago, and later as manager of Roger Dean Publishing Company, Mrs. Shoemaker became intimately acquainted with the workings of the music publishing industry. She also served as Vice-President of Jomlee Corporation in Macomb.

Mrs. Shoemaker is currently choir director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Macomb, Illinois.

ACTIVITY

Primary activity of the McDonough Choral Society is to present two concerts each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Concerts include at least one major choral work and that composition might call for soloists. Each concert is preceded by approximately ten rehearsals and one dress rehearsal.

SCHEDULE

MAGNIFICENT MAGNIFICATS & CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
December 3, 2007
7:30 pm
Wesley United Methodist Church

Settings of the MAGNIFICAT by Antonio Vivaldi and Franz Schubert
Soloists: Kitty Karn, soprano; Marietta Dean, contralto; Bruce Gardner, tenor; and Don Norton, bass

CHRISTMAS CHORUSES
Darby/Simeone: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Leontovich/Wilhousky: Carol of the Bells
Jeffrey Van, arr: El Rorro
Jeffrey Van: O Be Joyful
Healy Willan: The Three Kings
Conrad Susa: A Christmas Garland

Soloists: Kevin Loop, bass-baritone; Ron Morrow, tenor

SPRING 2008 CONCERT
Cherubini Requiem and Aaron Copland songs
March 31, 2008
7:30 PM
Wesley United Methodist Church

PERFORMANCE HISTORY

April 16, 2007: CORONATION MASS by W. A. Mozart. Soloists: Nancy Colvin, soprano; Amy Loving, mezzo-soprano; Larry Rawlins, tenor; Don Norton, baritone
CHORUSES FROM GREAT OPERAS (sung in English). Soloists: Mari Loehrlein, mezzo-soprano; Bruce Gardner, narrator

December 4, 2006: MESSIAH by G. F. Handel. Soloists: Kitty Karn, soprano; Lori Griswold, mezzo-soprano; Bruce Gardner, tenor; Don Norton, baritone

April 3, 2006: KING DAVID by Artur Honegger. Soloists: Shirley Salazar, soprano; Lori Griswold, mezzo-soprano; Terry Chasteen, tenor; Sue Ellen Pensinger, The Witch of Endor; Bruce Gardner, narrator

December 5, 2005: LAUD TO THE NATIVITY by Ottorino Respighi. Soloists: Sangeetha Rayapati, soprano; Kathleen Randles, mezzo-soprano; Bruce Gardner, tenor

April 4, 2005: LIEBESLIEDER WALTZES by Johannes Brahms. Soloists: Kitty Karn, soprano; Tom Booth, tenor; Nancy Colvin, duet soprano; Connie Workman, duet alto; Larry Rawlins, duet tenor; Kevin Loop, duet bass-baritone
MESSA SOLENNE by Giuseppe Verdi. Soloists: Kitty Karn, soprano; Tom Booth, tenor; Terry Chasteen, tenor; Don Norton, baritone

December 6, 2004: MESSIAH by G. F. Handel. Soloists: Sangeetha Rayapati, soprano; Kathleen Randles, sezzo-soprano; Bruce Gardner, tenor; Don Norton, baritone

March 29, 2004: MISSA BREVIS, K 192 by W. A. Mozart. Soloists: Shirley Salazar, soprano; Marietta Dean, contralto; Terry Chasteen, tenor; Matt Bean, baritone
REQUIEM by Gabriel Faurè. Soloists: Shirley Salazar, soprano; Don Norton, baritone

December 8, 2003: GLORIA by Antonio Vivaldi and CEREMONY OF CAROLS by Benjamin Britten. Soloists: Michelle Vaught, soprano; Kathleen Randles, mezzo-soprano; Melanie Morgan, harp

March 31, 2003: MASS IN G by Franz Schubert. Soloists: Emily Shenk, soprano; Larry Rawlins, tenor; Matt Bean, baritone
REQUIEM by Sir John Rutter. Soloist: Kay Norton, soprano.

December 9, 2002: MESSIAH by G. F. Handel. Soloists: Eileen Leland, soprano; Raisin Horn, contralto; Bruce Gardner, tenor; Don Norton, baritone

PARTICIPATION

It is anticipated the organization will be comprised of sixty to seventy-five men and women from all walks of life who are interested in the performance of classical choral literature and reside primarily in McDonough County, but also be open to interested persons from surrounding areas. Capable students from high schools and institutions of higher learning will be invited to join, as will members of all church choirs within the county and surrounding areas.

Concert Attire
Women:
White, long-sleeve blouse, floor-length black skirt or pants, and black shoes.
No perfume, or large jewelry (small earrings are acceptable).

Men:
White, long-sleeve shirt, black pants, black shoes, black socks, black four-in-hand tie. No aftershave or cologne.

SPONSORSHIP

Donations for the support of the McDonough County Choral Society
Underwriter $2,500
Benefactor $1,250
Patron $800
Sponsor $300
Friend $150
Supporter $75
Student $25
Your contribution will be tax deductible upon receipt of our 501-c-3 status.

ORGANIZATION

The McDonough Choral Society is an Illinois Corporation.

The McDonough Choral Society has been awarded the Federal 501C3 (tax free) status.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John R. Shoemaker, President Emeritus (in memoriam)

Mary Frances Freeman, President
Don Mainzer, Vice President, Advertising
Don Norton, Vice President, Personnel
Christine Myers, Secretary
Gordana Rezab, Treasurer
Bruce Gardner

Mary Margaret Harris

Larry Rawlins

Susan Shoemaker, Music Director and Conductor

Honorary Board Members

Richard Myers, Illinois State Representative
Al Goldfarb, President, Western Illinois University
Sherrill E. Milnes, Northwestern University

Elizabeth Wehrman, Western Illinois University Liaison

Mick Wisslead, Mayor, Macomb, Illinois

PHOTOS

L-R are: Lew Dove, John R. Shoemaker, Susan Shoemaker, Don Mainzer

The McDonough Choral Society Spring 2003

BYLAWS OF THE MCDONOUGH CHORAL SOCIETY

Saturday, May 18, 2002

I. PURPOSE

The McDonough Choral Society is to provide the residents of McDonough County and surrounding communities an opportunity to perform and promote choral music for the benefit of the Community and region within the meaning of section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.

The McDonough Choral Society is dedicated to the following principles:
Nurturing choral music and its inspirational appeal
Cultivating public interest in choral music
Instilling in its members a spirit of dedication and a desire to excel

II. MEMBERSHIP

A. Eligibility
The McDonough Choral Society shall be open to members of the community who subscribe to the purpose and principles of the organization.
B. Requirements to Maintain Membership Status
1. Attend rehearsals as required.

III. FISCAL YEAR AND CORPORATE STATUS

The Fiscal Year of the McDonough Choral Society will be July 1 to June 30. The McDonough Choral Society is a not-for-profit corporation. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the organization, whether voluntary or involuntary or whether by operation of law, all of the assets of the organization shall be transferred to an organization exempt from tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. None of the property of the organization or any proceeds thereof shall be distributed or divided among any of the members of the organization.

IV. CONCERT SEASON

Two performances are anticipated each concert season, one in the fall and one in the spring. Performance and rehearsal schedules shall be established in conformance with the fall and spring academic semesters of Western Illinois University, and the two semesters shall constitute a concert season.

V. DUES

There shall be no dues.

VI. PERFORMANCE PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

To participate in any McDonough Choral Society performance an individual must:

Be a member in good standing.
Attend all regular rehearsals with no more than three (3) absences per semester.
Be punctual for all rehearsals.
Attend at least two (2) of the last three rehearsals immediately preceding a dress rehearsal.
Attend the dress rehearsals for the specific performance.
Wear required concert attire.

VII. MUSICAL DIRECTOR

The Musical Director will have the following responsibilities:

Selection of music for each performance in consultation with the Board of Directors.
Interpretation of music.
Selection of accompanist.
Scheduling rehearsals.
Scheduling of soloists.
Selection of orchestral musicians for concerts as necessary.
Final determination of the performing membership of the McDonough Choral Society for each performance of each concert season.
Serving as a member of the Board of Directors.

VIII. ACCOMPANIST

The Accompanist shall be appointed by the Musical Director with the approval of the Board of Directors. The Accompanist shall be under the supervision of the Musical Director and shall serve as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors of the McDonough Choral Society.

IX. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A. The Board of Directors of the McDonough Choral Society shall be responsible for the total management and operation of the McDonough Choral Society. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to make and enforce rules and policies provided such rules and policies are not in direct conflict with any provision of these bylaws. Each director shall discharge his or her duties in good faith, with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances, and in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation.

The Board of Directors shall have the following additional responsibilities:

Holding meetings as necessary.
Promoting the well being of the McDonough Choral Society.
Acting as goodwill ambassadors for the McDonough Choral Society.
B. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the following elected officers:
President
Vice President for Membership

Vice President for Marketing
Vice President for Logistics
Liaison officer for the WIU Music Department
Secretary
Treasurer
Musical Director

The President may appoint (and may remove, with or without cause) the following officers to serve as nonvoting members of the Board of Directors:
Librarian and Historian
Honorary Board Members
Attorney
Grant Writer

C. Quorum
A simple majority of the voting Board members will constitute a quorum. Any meeting
conducted without a quorum will not be an official meeting and the proceedings thereof will be considered discussion only.

D. Meetings

Meetings of the Board shall be held as deemed necessary.
Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or the Musical Director at their discretion. At the request of two or more Board members, a special meeting of the Board of Directors must be called by the President or Musical Director. Special meetings may be held by means of telephonic or electronic communication.

X. ELECTED OFFICERS

A. Election of Officers
All elected officers of the McDonough Choral Society shall be elected by the membership for terms as indicated in section IX.B. of these bylaws. All officers can succeed themselves. Regular elections will be held at the last general rehearsal of the Concert Year, but no later than the fourth Monday in April. The Nominating Committee as defined herein will present a slate of proposed officers to the general membership no later than the last regularly scheduled rehearsal in March. A simple majority of the general membership present at a meeting of the membership is required to elect officers.
Vacancies may be filled at the discretion of the Board of Directors by appointment or special election.

B. Term of Office
All officers will serve a term of two (2) years. Terms shall begin with the first Board of Directors meeting in July. Appointed officers shall serve until their resignation or replacement.

C. Eligibility to Hold Office
Each person nominated to hold office shall be a member in good standing and shall have agreed to serve. To be eligible to serve as President, a person must have two years of prior service on the Board of Directors. This service need not have been consecutive, nor must the person be serving on the Board of Directors at the time of his or her nomination.

D. Duties and Responsibilities of Each Officer

The President shall:

Preside at all Board meetings and meetings of the general membership.
Serve as an ex officio member of all committees.
Report to the general membership on a regular basis.
Designate a Board member to preside at meetings in his or her absence.

The Vice President for Membership shall:

Appoint and chair the Committee for Membership. 

Oversee the maintenance of rehearsal attendance records. 

Report to the Board of Directors on a regular basis.

The Vice President of Marketing shall:

Be responsible for advertising and marketing activities of the McDonough Choral Society including, but not limited to, sale of program ads, soliciting sponsorships, coordination of program design, development of program notes, printing activities, newpaper, television, and radio announcements.

The Vice President for Logistics shall:

Be responsible for the physical logistics of all activities of the McDonough Choral Society.
Appoint members to and chair the Logistics Committee.
Report to the Board of Directors on a regular basis.

The Liaison officer shall:

Be responsible for communications with the WIU music department.

The Secretary shall:

Oversee the maintenance of a database of all chorus members and provide regular reports.
Record and maintain the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and the
general membership.
Certify and maintain the current bylaws and all amendments thereto.
Be responsible for correspondence of the McDonough Choral Society.
Notify members of the Board of Directors of scheduled or special meetings.

The Treasurer shall:

Manage all financial activities of the McDonough Choral Society.
Maintain records of sponsorships, to include all sponsorship-related correspondence and notifications.
Make deposits and write checks as appropriate.
In conjunction with the Attorney, oversee compliance with the State of Illinois and Internal Revenue Service requirements concerning nonprofit corporation status, tax-exempt status, and solicitation of contributions.
Provide a written financial report to the Board of Directors as requested by the President.

The Librarian shall:

Maintain all music owned by or lent to the McDonough Choral Society.
Oversee the distribution and collection of music.
Keep and preserve the history and archives of the McDonough Choral Society.
Maintain and update the Official McDonough Choral Society Scrapbook.

The Attorney shall:

Provide legal opinions and advice as requested by the Board of Directors.
Review these Bylaws and the Policy and Procedures Manual annually and recommend necessary changes.
Be responsible for all matters in connection with the McDonough Choral Society' status as a not-for-profit corporation, including the filing of the corporation's annual report with the Illinois Secretary of State.

The Grant Writer shall:

Write and submit proposals for grants and other funding as requested by the Board of Directors.
Submit final reports as needed and maintain all materials relating to any request for funding.

XI. FINANCES

A. Expenditures under $100.00, necessary for the ordinary operation and activities of the
McDonough Choral Society, may be made by or with the approval of any member of the Board of Directors or any Committee Chairperson and shall be reimbursed, if required, by the Treasurer.

B. Expenditures of $100.00 or more, but less than $300.00, necessary for the ordinary operation and activities of the McDonough Choral Society, may be made by or with the approval of the President or the Treasurer and shall be reimbursed, if required, by the Treasurer.

C. Expenditures of $300.00 or more, and all extraordinary expenditures (gifts, grants, etc.) must be approved by the Board of Directors.

D. Only the President, the Treasurer, or Secretary may sign checks or contracts. Only one such signature shall be required.

XII. STANDING COMMITTEES

A. Committee for Membership
The members of the Committee for the Membership shall be appointed by the Vice President for Membership. This committee shall encourage active participation and involvement in the organization by each member. The Committee for the Membership shall be convened by the appropriate Vice President on a regular basis and shall report to the Board of Directors on a monthly basis or as requested. The Vice President for Membership shall submit a written report to the Board of Directors at the end of each concert season.

B. Committee for Marketing
Members of the Marketing Committee shall be appointed by the Vice President for Marketing. The Marketing Committee shall be responsible for all promotions, media publicity, ad sales, fund raising campaigns, and printed materials including concert programs. The Chairperson shall convene the committee on a regular basis and report to the Board of Directors monthly or as requested. The Vice President for Marketing shall submit a written report to the Board of Directors at the end of each concert season.

C. Logistics Committee
Members of the Logistics Committee shall be appointed by the Vice President for Logistics and be responsible for all physical arrangements for rehearsals, concerts, receptions and similar authorized chorus functions. The Vice President for Logistics shall convene the Committee on a regular basis and report to the Board of Directors monthly or as requested. The Vice President for Logistics shall submit a written report to the Board of Directors at the end of each concert season.

D. Ad Hoc Committees
The President may appoint, as necessary, additional committees needed for the orderly operation of the McDonough Choral Society. The President shall appoint the Chairperson of any committee so established.

XIII. BYLAWS AMENDMENTS

The Bylaws may be amended at any general membership meeting provided the proposed
amendment(s) has/have been reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors by majority vote. Amendments approved by the Board of Directors must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the general membership who are present to vote. The vote of the general membership must be taken at least one week after the proposed amendments have been made available in writing to the general membership, unless such time restriction is waived by a majority vote of the general membership.

XV. RULES
All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, unless in conflict with the provisions of these Bylaws.