Our Vermilion Community Music Association band uniform consists of a shirt, supplied by the members. This uniform shirt is an emblazoned white polo shirt, worn with or without our association blazer. This shirt (plus a baseball cap and T-shirt, if desired) is available locally at GRAFFITI PLUS in Vermilion. Members are also expected to provide their own Navy blue blazer, medium (heather)gray slack or skirt, black belt and shoes, etc. When performing in more formal settings, the men may wear white dress shirts and ties, covered by the blazer, while the band women will be attired either the same, or with a gray skirt in place of the slack. And as with most performance groups, pins and jewelry, etc. are kept to a minimum.

Rehearsals begin promptly at 7:30 PM on Tuesdays (chorus) and Thursdays (band) in the Sailorway Middle School on Sailorway Dr., located on S.Rt. 60 at the Vermilion city limit. Members are expected to arrive early enough for a proper set-up and warm-up of their respective voice or instrument. Because we read and rehearse a high volume of music arrangements at each assembly, time spent “cleaning up” parts is kept to a bare minimum. Thus, members attempt to come prepared, with music parts learned and ready for rehearsal.

Attendance is an obvious requirement of all VCMA members, whether vocal or instrumental. Missing a rehearsal a month would press the limits of what works. Yes, things do happen that require absences, but we try to keep these to a bare minimum also. Should a member be absent, they need to inform the conductor and contact a replacement musician from their personal list of area substitute musicians. They also must make available their music folder, that the substitute musician may have it to read for a performance. It is then the responsibility of the absent member to reclaim and update their music folder and information sheets upon returning to the group.

High school musicians may join the Association only at the discretion of the conductor, unless a family member currently performing with the Association sponsors them. Having young musicians in the Association is encouraged only when the musician and the group both would benefit from their presence. Currently there are no such musicians performing with the VCMA.

Joining our band or mixed chorus is easy to do. Simply email the contact at the bottom of the Main Page and tell them you would like to join. Then give them your email and street address, phone, and instrument or voice you wish to perform. Any background material you can provide is welcomed. There will be a prompt reply to your email, either by phone, letter, or email. If you are in the Vermilion area on Tuesday (chorus) or Thursday (band), feel free to “sit-in” with us, or just sit in the audience area to observe. Either way, collect the information you require, and make yourself known to a member while there. Then we can have a music folder prepared and in your hands by the next rehearsal.