Prometheus has the policies below to enhance our enjoyment, efficiency and performance:
Member Roster
Location – website’s “For Members” tab, “Members Only” page.
Protection – data is for internal-use-only. Consult Karl Sevareid or another member for the password.
Updating – use the link there to provide the Roster Coordinator with any updates.
Rehearsal Basics
Absences – Tell your section leader. If you’re a wind player, please find a substitute.
Wind vacancies – each section is responsible for handling vacancies or augmented instrumentation.
Rules – Arrive/leave on time, limit talking to pianissimo, don’t play while Eric works with others.
Perfumes/scents – please refrain, as your fellow musicians may be allergic/sensitive.
Safety – Tell a Board member if you or another musician or audience member is hurt, or if you see a safety risk, so we can correct it.
Rehearsal Days/Times
Day – Mondays, including all holidays, except summer break and two weeks in Winter.
Time – 6:55pm to help setup. Tune at 7:15pm. 9:45pm takedown.
Exception – some rehearsals start later (arrive 7:30/tune 7:50pm) – check our website weekly.
Dress rehearsals – Wednesday (7:15pm tune) before concert at concert venue.
Concert warmup – 1:30pm, with a generous break before the 3pm concert.
Rehearsal Location and Last-Minute Changes
Location – normally Merritt College Building P, Room P307. Parking is free this season.
Changes – always check the website to see if bad weather or other issues have affected the location.
Strings only or sectionals – check to see if you need to be there.
Covid – Follow Alameda County policy (recommends vaccination, isolation if exposed or symptomatic for 24 hours, then once symptoms improve with no fever, use caution for 5 days e.g. mask, test).
Music Parts
Source – print your part for a set’s first rehearsal by using website links under “Rehearsal Schedule”.
Rentals – when not in public domain, rented parts will be given; they must be returned at concert.
Edits – promptly mark your parts with Eric’s edits. Number the bars if your part has no numbers.
Concerts
Encourage friends, family, neighbors, colleagues & more to come; share your joy!
Add their emails (website, right side) to our Mailing List. Route them to our Facebook.
Venue – Valley Center for Performing Arts, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland (Redwood Rd exit, Hwy 13)
Lights – bring a battery-powered light. Our venue provides stands. Put cases backstage.
Pre-concert talk – after warmup and break, Eric Hansen gives a talk for our audience at 2:40 pm.
Dress – Women ~ black dress or pants. Men ~ black tux/suit, white shirt/bow tie, or black shirt.
Admission and Enrollment
– Music Director Eric Hansen usually has an informal audition for new players.
– Share about Prometheus with fellow musician friends; we usually need string players and sometimes have wind vacancies (or need coverage for absences or augmented orchestrations).
– Enrollment – If you are new to Prometheus, you may be asked to enroll in the Merritt College Music 30 class. Don’t worry – this is a formality that helps Prometheus have rehearsal space. NO fee is required. A Board member or Eric Hansen will walk you through it – thanks in advance for your help.
Minors (under 18)
We welcome minors and have protective policies. See our website for details.
Requested Member Contribution
– member contributions are essential to cover venue, salary, music rental and other costs.
– We request $200 each Fall, and each Spring.
– We ask $80 per concert for those not playing all concerts. We exempt guest players.
– pay via our website, or give a paper check to Prometheus Treasurer Rich Trevor (bass).
Exception – if you are in financial hardship, speak confidentially with our President, John Gilbert (timpani), Vice-President Joyce Vollmer (violin) or Treasurer Rich Trevor (bass) for accommodation. No one is ever turned away for financial reasons. We want everyone to be able to play.
How You Can Help
– Everyone does! Do what you enjoy – ask a Board member (listed below) for ideas.<
– Give more than requested if you can. Many members do. All donations are tax-deductible.
– Your employer may offer matching grants. Suggest any other grant sources you know of.
– Donate needed items or a service; Rich Trevor or Sandy Roadcap can make this easy.
– Consider purchasing an ad or tribute in our concert program. See website.
If any questions or suggestions, contact any Board member:
– John Gilbert (timpani) President + website, concert programs,
– Joyce Vollmer (violin) Vice President + publicity; member profiles, Khuner competition, donor relations,
– Rich Trevor (bass) Treasurer + contracts; website, technology,
– Sandy Roadcap (violin) Secretary + Khuner competition; policies, production checklist; donor relations,
– David Cooper (cello) Publicity,
– Barbara Hodgkinson (oboe) hospitality committee; fundraising,
– Ingrid Morken (violin) at-large,
– Genevieve Pastor-Cohen (flute) concert venue liaison; usher management,
– Karl Sevareid (bass) Roster manager; printer/post-office liaison,
– Keith Sklower (oboe) Concert recordings,
– Duy Tran (clarinet, violin) Publicity, fundraising.
