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For many parents and singers alike, the month before venturing to the
fairgrounds is very hectic. This is especially true for parents of first time
All-Ohio Youth Choir members.
Due to the sheer number of inquiries and limited staff, we have compiled a list
of frequently asked questions for your convenience. If, after reviewing this
list, you still have questions, please post them
here!
FAQ
When will our music arrive?
What should I bring with me to the fair?
Is it okay if my shoes have a small bit of color on them?
What type of clothing should I take with me?
How should I organize my music?
I just received my music packet, but not all of the music is there. Why is
that?
Can I bring my cell phone?
Is there any internet access available?
How can I contact my singer if she does not have a cell phone?
Q. When will our music arrive?
A. A valid question, however there is no definite answer. There are many factors
which go into the music packets, i.e. when the music is chosen, when the
publishers send our order, whether or not a particular piece is on backorder,
etc. and therefore the date on which the music is mailed varies from year to
year. Rest assured that you will indeed get your music before you report to the
fair. Please visit
this post
to see whether music packets have been sent out.
Q. What should I bring with me to the fair?
A. A general outline of things to bring / leave at home was included in your
acceptance packet, and a more thorough checklist will be included with your
music packet. We realize that doesn’t give you a great deal of time to hunt for
bargains, so here is a head’s up on some of the major purchases for the summer:
- Large footlocker or trunk --with combination lock (No key locks please) –
while it does need to be spacious enough to contain all of your singer’s
valuables, it needs to be compact enough to fit underneath their bunk bed, due
to space constraints in the dorms.
- Durable water bottle
- One or two pairs of sturdy, WHITE tennis shoes.
Sometimes we get questions about valuable items such as instruments, laptops and
other personal items. We suggest that you leave these items at home. Not only
does time rarely allow use of such items, but space and security are also a
concern. So if you can’t possibly live without it for the course of the fair,
you may bring it at your own liability, and you may end up sleeping with it for
lack of place to store it.
Q. Is it okay if my shoes have a small bit of color on them?
A. No. The purpose of mandating completely white tennis shoes is not to give you
a shopping nightmare, but simply to set a standard of uniformity for our
singers. Since shoes are significantly more an issue of personal comfort, we
allow each singer individually to buy their own, rather than make it part of the
pre-ordered uniform. This, however, does not give the singer a free ticket to
personal expression. We want our singers to be noticed for their superior choral
talents, and an overall professional appearance rather than looking like a
mismatched group thrown together at the last minute.
Q. What type of clothing should I take with me?
A. Clothing for rehearsal week and free time should be relatively casual,
comfortable, and appropriate -- no bare midriffs, no saggy pants exposing a fair
amount of under garments. Basically something comfortable that parents would
approve of. This is more clearly laid out in the Membership Agreement (which you
will receive with your music packet). This is foremost a professional
organization and we expect you to dress accordingly – don’t forget that you are
always representing the Youth Choir, whether you are in uniform or not!!!
Q. How should I organize my music?
A. Many members will suggest purchasing an accordion-style file folder in which
a singer can organize his/her music alphabetically by title. In the past, singers
have also organized their music in 3-ring binders after hole-punching each
piece. This system makes it easy for the choir members to find music and pull it
out during rehearsal time. Ultimately, how you organize your music is purely
personal preference, however, each singer needs to have some form of
organization so that music is not lost (since we order just enough – there are
no extras) and so rehearsal time can be spent rehearsing, rather than searching
for stray pieces of music in a convoluted clutter of compositions.
Q. I just received my music packet, but not all of the music is there. Why is
that?
A. As it is spelled out in your music edits sheets which accompanied your music,
not all the pieces that were ordered get sent from the publisher in time to go
out with the initial mailing. When you arrive at the fair, you will receive a
supplemental music packet at check-in with the remaining pieces.
Q. Can I bring my cell phone?
A. This falls under the realm of valuables – you may bring a cell phone, if you
so choose, at your own risk. Choir members are only allowed to use them during
their free time, and in certain geographic areas which will be outlined at the
fair. At all other times, cell phones must be turned off and stored in singers’
trunks.
Q. Is there any internet access available?
A. There are sometimes internet booths in the commercial buildings; however,
this varies from year to year.
Q. How can I contact my singer if she does not have a cell phone?
A. There are a number of ways parents and friends can easily contact their
singer
- There are postal services through the choir office -- there is nothing
quite like getting US Mail at the AOSFYC! Letter writing to your
AOSFYC member is highly encouraged!!! Write members at:
[Choir Member's Name], All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir, Ohio State Fair, 717
East 17th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43211
- ... And this year, once again,
parents and friends can leave messages for choir members by visiting
this page.
- In case of
emergencies, parents can call the choir office at the fair. The specific
addresses and phone numbers will be available in the packets you receive in the
mail and at the fair.
If you have any additional questions, please post them on our
message board!
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