2025-2026 REGISTRATION FORM AND GENERAL INFORMATION FOR CHAI FOLK ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS

Thank you for your interest in the Chai Folk Ensemble! In advance of your audition, we ask that you please take the time to read the attached information and fill out the following registration form. Without a completed registration form, you will not be permitted to audition.

The high professional standards maintained by Chai mean that membership is both an exciting privilege and a serious responsibility. We require complete participation by all of our members in all of our activities throughout the year. The following paragraphs describe just some of our many projects and activities. Please read this carefully and complete the acknowledgement at the end.

(1)Rehearsals: Typically, singers rehearse once a week on Tuesday evenings. Band rehearsals are set as needed. Dancers rehearse twice a week: Wednesday evenings and all-day Sunday. In the summer, they are on Monday and Wednesday evenings. As major performances and other important events approach, the rehearsal schedule intensifies and there may be extra rehearsals added. Full group rehearsals are added, usually on Wednesday evenings or Sunday afternoons. Without exception, we require all performers to attend, participate in, and arrive on time at ALL rehearsals.

(2)Local performances: Chai is often invited to perform at various events and community functions in Winnipeg. An average year can include local appearances, in addition to Folklorama and our annual concert. Performances are not optional. We expect all performers to participate in every Chai performance, including but not limited to the annual concert and Folklorama.

(3)Folklorama: Chai has been the featured mainstage entertainment at the Israel Pavilion-Shalom Square every year since the inception of Folklorama in 1970. Folklorama is one of our most important and exciting annual events, and offers incomparable exposure to the general community. It is usually the first or second week of August each year.

(4) Travel: Chai attempts to undertake at least one major performance trip every year. We have performed to Israel 3 times, Walt Disney World in Florida, Mexico City, Ottawa, a 3-city tour of California, Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Kelowna, Vancouver, Victoria, Detroit, Cuba and Ukraine. While we try to keep the cost to performers as low as possible through subsidies and grants, performers may be responsible for approx. $600 (can be more or less) towards their travel expenses. You will have the opportunity to defray this cost considerably through personal fundraising, but you must be prepared to spend at least $600 annually on travel (not including insurance or spending money, for which you will also be responsible.

(5)Clothing: Dancers must wear dance attire at all times. Female dancers must have a beige body suit, jazz oxfords, half-soles and character shoes for performances. Male dancers must have jazz shoes or dance runners. Further requirements and details are outlined in the Handbook that will be given to all successful applicants.

(6)All members of the Ensemble permit the free use their name and any photographs in social media, newspapers, brochures, posters and any form of communication to which such may be applied.

I certify that I am auditioning to perform with the Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble as a dancer or singer or musician. I have read and understood the obligations and responsibilities of a Chai performer as set out above, and agree to adhere to and fulfill all of these obligations and responsibilities if, subsequent to my audition, I am accepted for membership in Chai. For candidates under age 18, I have discussed these obligations and responsibilities with my parents, who have also read and understood them, have agreed to my participation in Chai on the terms set out above.