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 has a cornucopia of choral offerings. Thousands of people in and near the Triangle and Triad are directly involved in singing, 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?

There are five components:

  • Events Calendar for concerts, operas, sings, choral festivals, musicales — any activities that feature ensemble singing. Click on an event and see details on the program, performers, location, time and admission.
  • Auditions & Calls Calendar for singing opportunities, with each posting providing details on vocal requirements, location, works being prepared, etc.
  • Directory of ensembles, listed alphabetically and by locality, specialty/type and rehearsal day. Each Member Group has a Directory page detailing musical focus, participants, conductor, recent/upcoming performances and contacts.
  • Resources, where enterprises and individuals advertise choral-related goods, services and opportunities.
  • Choral Notes, an email newsletter providing reminders and announcements.

What goes on the Calendars?

The Events Calendar lists all activities open to the public that involve vocal ensemble music. These may be sponsored by choral or opera organizations, schools, orchestras, religious institutions, performing arts centers, dance companies, visiting performers or others. 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 others are welcome to recruit singers there.

All Calendar listings are posted free, as are Member Groups' pages in the Chorus Directory (see below).

Who gets into the Chorus Directory?

The Directory is for locally based 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 or Triad and meet two criteria:

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

Members agree to: keep their Directory information current; regularly post their events and calls; let singers and patrons know about TriangleSings!. They may use the Events Calendar to promote benefits and fundraisers that involve singing, and workshops or other programs open to the community. While Member Groups are encouraged to Support TriangleSings! and receive certain benefits for their participation, they are not required to do so.

Where does information on the website come from?

Choruses, events and auditions are described by material sent to TriangleSings! by the organizations themselves via online forms. Thus, those directly 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 connects the website's users with those who have goods and services to offer: (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 Notes newsletter; they also may have links on the website's homepage.

Resources also runs classified ads for choruses (music director, accompanist, etc.), and for singing opportunities beyond the choral "mainstream." Details are on the Resources Form. At the end of the Resources page, there are links to various regional and national choral-related websites.

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

Toward the end of each month — more often if 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.

Website users also may take advantage of RSS Feeds, and a Reminder Service for listings on the Events Calendar. Just click an icon appearing at the event date, and let us know when you'd like to be reminded. Additionally, event listings and the newsletter occasionally include presenters' offers for reduced-price advance-purchase tickets.

What about the website users?

According to Webalizer, a user tracking service, as of mid-2010 TriangleSings! was averaging approximately 120,000 "hits," 35,000 page views and 7,300 visits per month. More detailed statistics are available on request to potential supporters: contact TriangleSings!

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

  • "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 8:00 - TriangleSings! says so."

Who's responsible for the service?

TriangleSings! is maintained by its founder, Carol T. Robbins, a choral singer/enthusiast who thought such a website would be a good idea (see NCMEA Award). Working with her are (usually volunteer) liaisons from about 65 Member Groups, and representatives of dozens of other ensembles and presenters: universities, other 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 foundation grants.

Does TriangleSings! do anything else?

Every now and then, an opportunity arises for choral advocacy beyond the website. So, TriangleSings! launched and cosponsored the Triangle Youth Chorus Trophy, which annually (2004-2010) honored a local public school ensemble; it now promotes, in conjunction with Triangle Community Foundation, the Raising Voices initiave. The website, when its budget allows, also underwrites local choral and opera programming on WCPE-FM.

How can I help TriangleSings! continue?

Monetary contributions of all sizes are invited. At present, there is no charge for listings in the website's Chorus Directory or Calendars. Without voluntary financial support by those who benefit — namely, presenters and individuals — this policy is impossible. Please see Supporting TriangleSings!

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

  • Patronize our Resources sponsors.
  • Mention TriangleSings! in programs and posters (e.g., "For information about choral music activities in and near the Triangle and Triad, visit www.trianglesings.org.").
  • Add us to links on websites (artwork available at Logos & Ads).
  • Let someone who sings, or should be singing, or loves to listen to singing, know about the website.
  • Subscribe to the Choral Notes newsletter, and forward it to others.
  • Ask for TriangleSings! bookmarks to distribute to a group or at an event. No charge; contact TriangleSings! with the quantity needed and your 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 and beyond.