HOUSE MANAGER

The House Manager, necessarily a non-singer, is responsible for supervision of the house and audience during concerts, reports to the Vice President for Concerts, and attends Board meetings.

These guidelines apply to concerts at St. Luke's Church, Evanston.  Other locations may call for appropriate changes.

DEADLINES                DUTIES

June                             Participate in a transitional board meeting to discuss position  with predecessor, review job description and annual report.

3 weeks before concert

Contact former ushers and see who is available. Decide how many additional ushers are needed. Make sign-up sheet available at rehearsals for relatives and friends who might wish to volunteer. Also contact newsletter editor to put request in the bulletin for prospective ushers. Confirm that all ushers will come on duty at 2:00 PM.

At Board meeting                 Confirm arrangements with Concert Manager making sure that sufficient seating will be available. Check with General Manager or Ticket chairman to estimate number of reserved seats needed. Remind Treasurer to bring cash box and cash float.

Day of concert                     Arrive 1½ hours before concert time; see that table and chairs are set for cash desk; see that extra seating is adequate for expected numbers; locate phone and light switches  in case of emergency; check that handicapped washroom in first floor vestry is unlocked.

Take charge of tickets from Ticket Chair, cash box from Treasurer, and programs. Attach RESERVED labels to ends of pews.

Station USHERS at specific locations as they arrive. Make sure ushers know directions to washrooms and to the first floor handicapped washroom and emergency phone.

NOTE: phone is for emergency use only, and user must be accompanied into parish house offices by an usher.

As AUDIENCE arrives, oversee seating of public, be prepared to assist disabled at entry and make space available for wheelchairs behind pews. Distribute large-print copies of program notes as needed. Hold back and seat late-comers as necessary. Conduct surveys and audience counts as required. Report minority attendance to General Manager and Community Liaison.

AFTER concert, usher team should help tidy up pews.

After concert                        Report to Board on how concert went, problems, etc. Thank ushers; call or write notes as appropriate.

On-going                            Attend Board meetings.

May                                    Prepare annual report, revise job description if necessary, and discuss position with successor at transitional board meeting.