About TriangleSings!

TriangleSings! is a regional website for choral music, serving the area within an hour and a half of Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The website's mission is to support, unify and promote ensemble singing locally, by helping people discover and stay in touch. In the words of the late conductor, Robert Shaw: "As soon as we find one another, then we can find the miracle."

Our region offers a cornucopia of choral activity. Thousands of people in and near the Triangle and Triad are involved, and many thousands more attend their performances. Since November 2002, TriangleSings! has provided a focus for all this activity: a home for choral music.

What does the website offer?

TriangleSings! is a comprehensive choral music clearinghouse, with five main components:

  • Events Calendar, for concerts, operas, sings, choral festivals, musicales – all activities that feature ensemble singing. Each event listing details the program, performers, date and time, location and admission requirements.
  • Auditions & Calls Calendar, providing singer postings, with information on requirements, works being prepared, etc.
  • Directory of ensembles, listed alphabetically and by locality, specialty and rehearsal day. Each Member Group's Directory page details the chorus's musical focus, participants, recent and upcoming performances, and contacts.
  • Resources, where enterprises and individuals advertise their choral-related goods, services and opportunities.
  • Choral Notes, an email newsletter that provides monthly reminders and announcements.

How much are the services used?

According to Webalizer, a user tracking service, as of early 2010, TriangleSings! was averaging approximately 124,000 "hits," 37,000 page views and 7,200 visits per month. More detailed statistics are available on request to potential supporters: contact TriangleSings!

Another measure of audience is Choral Notes subscribers, now around 2,200. Still another is the number of activities posted by local groups - nearly 500 in 2009. In addition, there's anecdotal evidence that people use the website . . . through emails and comments overheard at concerts:

  • "TriangleSings! is making a real difference in, and for, the choral arts. It's a great resource."
  • " . . . a truly valuable and unique service to choristers, conductors and music lovers."
  • "TriangleSings! led me to the chorus of my dreams."
  • "Don't worry, the concert starts at 7:30 - TriangleSings! says so."

What goes on the Calendars?

The Events Calendar promotes all local activities open to the public that involve vocal ensemble music. These may be sponsored by choral or opera organizations, or by schools, orchestras, religious institutions, performing arts centers, visiting groups or other nonprofits. Music presented as part of a worship service generally is not eligible, though exceptions may be made for major undertakings or special circumstances.

The Auditions & Calls Calendar publishes a variety of opportunities for ensemble singing: long-term or one-time, religious or secular, solo or group, volunteer or paid. Member Groups (described below) and other organizations are welcome to recruit singers through Calendar listings.

Who gets into the Chorus Directory?

The Directory is for local not-for-profit ensembles meeting the general definition of chorus: "a body of singers who perform choral compositions, usually having more than one singer for each part." Member Groups may be any size, type or level, provided their work is of interest to, and shared with, the community. They must be based in or near the Triangle and meet two criteria:

  • Chorus membership must be open, within the group's musical requirements, and not require affiliation with a school, religious institution, residential community, etc.
  • At least once a year, the ensemble must give a public performance that is not part of a service or class; or, for groups that gather to sing with no actual performances, sessions must be open to any participants and observers.

Members agree to: keep their Directory information current; regularly post all events and calls; let their singers and patrons know about the TriangleSings! website. Member Groups may use the Events Calendar to promote benefits and fund-raisers that involve singing, and workshops or other programs open to the community. There is no charge to be in the Chorus Directory (or for Calendar listings) . . . although the voluntary financial support of presenters is critical to keeping the website afloat.

Where does the information come from?

Choruses, events and calls for singers are described by material sent to TriangleSings! by the organizations themselves via online forms. Thus, those involved are responsible for listings being current, correct and complete; all opinions expressed or claims made are theirs. Submissions are checked and gently edited before being posted, to help ensure information is understandable and reasonably objective, and to protect the website and users from potential "mischief."

What is the "Resources" page?

Resources is a marketplace, connecting the website's users with those who have goods and services to offer in four categories: (1) Voice/Singing Services; (2) Recording, Photography and Videography; (3) Music Supplies and Accessories; (4) Choral Festivals, Workshops and Getaways. Sponsors are introduced, and their activities noted, in the Choral Notesnewsletter; they also may have links on the website's homepage. Details are on the Resources Form.

In addition, Resources runs occasional classifieds for choruses (music director, accompanist, etc.), and for singing opportunities beyond the choral "mainstream," such as for restaurant or pop music ensembles. At the end of Resources, you'll find links to various regional and national choral-related websites.

A free newsletter . . . reminders . . . discount tickets?

Once a month - more often as activities and circumstances warrant - TriangleSings! sends out an e-newsletter, Choral Notes. This highlights Calendar listings, makes announcements for groups and supporters, links to reviews of recent performances and offers other items of interest to the choral community. For more information or to subscribe, please visit Choral Notes.

Website users also may take advantage of RSS Feeds, and a Reminder Service for postings on the Events Calendar. Just click the icon appearing at the event date, and let us know when you'd like to be reminded.

To provide users with special offers and to help groups fill performance seats, TriangleSings! facilitates reduced-price advance-purchase tickets, advertising these on a group's Events Calendar pages and in the newsletter. This option is available to those giving $50 or more to Support TriangleSings!

Who's responsible for the service?

TriangleSings! is maintained by its founder, Carol Robbins, a choral singer and enthusiast who believed such a website was a good idea (more information at NCMEA Award). Working with her are liaisons from 60-some Member Groups, and representatives (usually volunteers) of dozens of other ensembles and presenters: schools, places of worship, symphonies, dance companies, performing arts series, etc.

Eastwood Arts provides website design, computer programming and ongoing technical assistance. Special thanks are due to Classical Voice of North Carolina (CVNC), which serves as fiscal agent so that TriangleSings! may receive grants and tax-exempt donations.

Does TriangleSings! do anything else?

Every now and then, an opportunity arises for choral advocacy beyond the website. So, TriangleSings! founded and cosponsors the Triangle Youth Chorus Trophy, which each spring awards the Trophy, a cash grant and other prizes to a public school ensemble. The website, when funding is available, also underwrites local programming on WCPE-FM.

How can I help TriangleSings! continue?

Monetary contributions – of all sizes – are invited . . . and needed for the website to continue providing information-sharing free of charge for the benefit of the community. Although run pro bono, there are operating and upgrade expenses. You may offer this most welcome form of assistance as a tax-deductible donation, or by underwriting a Calendar month or Resources listing; details are at Support TriangleSings!

Along with financial support, there's getting the word out. You could:

  • Subscribe to the Choral Notes newsletter, and forward it to other music enthusiasts.Patronize our Resources sponsors.
  • Mention TriangleSings! in programs and fliers (e.g., "For information about choral music activities in and near the Triangle, visit www.trianglesings.org.").
  • Add us to links on websites (artwork available at Logos & Ads).
  • Let someone who sings, or should be singing, know about the website. Ditto for concertgoers.
  • Ask for a supply of TriangleSings! bookmarks for a group or event. No charge; just contact TriangleSings! with the quantity needed and mailing address.
  • Print out information, and post it at performance and rehearsal venues and other public places.

And, keep on singing, or if you're not a singer, keep on attending live performances . . . throughout the Triangle, Triad and beyond.