Information for Local Organisers

An Area Organiser is responsible for liaising with all affiliated schools in the local area. It is necessary therefore that she/he gets to know the schools involved and communicates regularly with them. 

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Local practices

The Area Organiser is responsible for co-ordinating the organisation of local rehearsals/practices.
To ensure that rehearsal time is productively used the following arrangements should be made by the area organiser:

• Provision of a suitable venue with appropriate equipment – piano, music stand etc.

• Suitable seating for choir members, including the correct proportion and position of the various parts

• Supervision of pupils by teachers during rehearsal to ensure that the Musical Director or Assistant Musical Director can focus on the singing and musical end of pupils’ training

• Yard and lunch time duty: ensuring that adequate numbers of teachers are available at all times to supervise pupils

• The provision of a pianist who can play to the level suggested as necessary by the musical director

• The organisation of a lunch for all teachers involved in the practice

Concerts

Local concerts
To arrange local concerts the Local Organiser will need the assistance of other teachers in the practice group in order to ensure that a venue and all practical arrangements are in place for local concerts. Assistant Musical Directors generally conduct local concerts.

National Concerts
The National Committee takes responsibility for the organisation of the concerts in The National Concert Hall. Some local area organisers may be asked to assist the National Committee on these occasions.

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A specified percentage of each school’s affiliated pupils are selected to sing in The National Concert Hall. The percentage is decided by the Musical Directors and varies according to the number of affiliated pupils. The selection of pupils for the national concerts is ultimately the responsibility of the Musical Directors who may devolve this to Assistant Musical Directors or teachers.

Insurance

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The National Committee undertakes to provide insurance for all affiliated members of the choir. However, Boards of Management should be informed of all activities related to the choir and particularly travel to other schools or visits by pupils from other schools for practices. 

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The National Committee provides insurance cover for the local concerts. Local organisers should check with concert venue in good time to ascertain if the venue requires a copy of the insurance policy. This can be made available through the treasurer, given sufficient advance notice.

Use of the choir’s title

The title National Children’s Choir, Cór Náisiúnta na nÓg belongs to this organisation only and cannot be used by schools on any other occasions. 

 

Additional information for Newcomers to the N.C.C

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Structure of a local area

Each area consists of affiliated schools in a geographic region, generally representing approximately 300 affiliated pupils. A Local Organiser is appointed in each area. The local organiser is responsible for organising group practices (3/4 times a year) as directed by the Assistant Musical Director.

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Local practices

All affiliated pupils are expected to attend the local practices and each school is responsible for ensuring that a sufficient number of teachers accompany and supervise pupils. An Assistant Musical Director, appointed by the Musical Directors is responsible for the musical training at local practices. The Musical Directors may, from time to time, take responsibility for all or part of local practices and will take responsibility for deciding what section of the repertoire is to be known and practised at each local practice.

Structure of choir

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Each school should organise their choir for part singing as follows:

• Total   -  20

• Soprano   2   -  11

• Alto - 9

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Where Soprano 1s  are required
2 from the 11 firsts whose voices can reach high A comfortably should be selected. All school choirs may not be in a position to provide these and pupils’ voices should not be strained
 

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