Call Times for Saturday, 12/14:
1:00 pm Pop A cappella Group
1:30 pm Corriente, Arroyo, Rio, Fuente, MRC
3:30 pm Nino
(Thank you for bearing with us as we work through this for the first time! We try our best to schedule carefully so as not to waste anyone’s time during this busy season, but with so many new aspects to this year’s program we are hesitant to commit to a schedule until we have a better idea of how everything is going to come together. Thank you for understanding!)
***New DETAIL: When the concert has finished, all singers will go backstage to gather their belongs from the dressing rooms and then come to meet parents in the lobby. Arroyo, Rio, and Fuente will do this on their own. Staff members will bring Nino and Corriente to the lobby as a group where you can meet us to get them.
Santa will be available in the lobby again after the concert for our singers and their families to greet him and get a picture together. (Students will not be permitted to come to the lobby before the concert.)
Details that are Finalized:
HELP NEEDED: We need a few volunteers the day of the concert still (many thanks to those who have already signed up to help decorate and help with hot chocolate/cookies!), and volunteers to bring cases of water and cookies/brownies. Please consider how you might be able to help share the burden so everyone can enjoy this awesome event!: Sign Up to Help!
DROP OFF: Parents will be able to drop off students at the Cannon Center doors so you don’t have to worry about parking. Go to the entrance near Poplar and Front- there is a large abstract statue that you can’t miss and the entrance doors we will use are right behind that. We will have a sign up and there will be an adult there to meet the singers and direct them where to go.
CONCERT ATTIRE/ DRESS CODE: CHANGED!!! Singers should come DRESSED in CONCERT ATTIRE. Guys, you can wear a tshirt under your black shirt and skip buttoning it up, ladies you can bring a separate pair of shoes if you are wearing heals that will be too uncomfortable for the entire rehearsal. There are too many people to facilitate changing and we want to avoid people leaving parts of their uniform at home. We will also give scarves and ties at the Cannon Center to avoid any being left at home. (Instead of at rehearsal 12/10). Please remember that performance attire is all black – ladies should have 3/4 sleeves or longer and men should have black collared button down shirts. Black pants or long skirts are acceptable- please no leggings, jeggings, black jeans, or skirts above the calf. (P.S. The sleeve length and bottom length are all about uniformity. A pair of flesh colored arms or legs in a sea of black really stands out and can take attention away from the group as a whole. Please be sure to follow these guidelines!)
MUSIC: Singers should NOT bring sheet music to the Cannon Center. We will collect Christmas music at dress rehearsal on 12/10 as everything should be memorized. (PDF copies will be available in the practice track folder if any extra review is needed.
FOOD: We will be serving pizza at some point before the concert. Because we are accommodating such large numbers (upwards of 275-300 performers!), it would be better if you plan to bring a sack lunch if you are unable to eat cheese or pepperoni pizza. We will have holding rooms available to us and students can bring a small bag with extra snacks/drinks if they would like.
OTHER: Singers will have a break before the concert to eat and freshen up, but will need to stay backstage with their choir. After students arrive for rehearsal, they should not plan to leave until the concert is over.
PARKING: Unfortunately, the parking garage at the Cannon Center is closed due to the construction going on. We have arranged Valet parking very close to the Cannon Center (but not at the front door) for those who wish to use it. You can even pre-reserve your spot and have one less thing to worry about Saturday! (They also accept payment at the door.) See below for more info. and other suggested options.
Valet Parking: The Cannon Center has offered valet parking for $20 per car. Click on the link below to reserve your spot and prepay.
https://www.aplusparkingservices.com/reserve-now/christmas-with-cororio/book
River Parks (Mud Island) Garage: The Cannon Center recommends parking at the River Parks (Mud Island) Garage at Front and Poplar. Parking rates vary upon vehicle size and entry time. 125 N Front Street, Memphis, TN. If you purchased parking through TicketMaster when you got your tickets, this is the garage you can use. Be sure you have your confirmation number.
BEFORE THE CONCERT: We hope that you will plan to come early to the concert and enjoy the decorated lobby area (thank you Bobbie Wilkerson, parent volunteers and Bride of Boaz!!), visit and take pictures with Santa, and enjoy complimentary cookies and hot chocolate! We will also have plenty of CoroRio merchandise available for sale, so maybe you can even get a little Christmas shopping done! (Will try to add some sample photos, but we will have fleece jackets, hoodies, sweater jackets and long sleeved shirts available). We still have a few spots open for our Donor’s Reception taking place in the VIP lounge- email if you want to jump in on that!
RECORDINGS:The Concert will be professionally recorded. Orders can be made onsite or through their website. You can find the order form and the online link on our website here: Christmas with CoroRio
TICKETS: The Cannon Center holds about 2,000 people, so we do not anticipate seating to be an issue. As of Tuesday afternoon, there are just a handful of tickets left in the orchestra and ParTerre levels and we have opened the Mezzanine (These will be $10 seats.) The next Balcony level will be opened as necessary. Tickets will be available at the Box Office right up to the concert.
We will let you know when more details/information have been added to this post!