Hi, Ross. You will probably find as many different paradigms as there are similar ensembles. When I first came to Virginia Tech, we had a Choral Union that was run by the Music Department, and I was assigned to conduct it as a faculty member. By about 10 years later, that ensemble had been disbanded, but a community ensemble, with quite a few of the same people in it, was formed.

 

That community ensemble decided on its own to avoid direct association with the university, although its founding conductor was at the time our choral director and in fact its conductor has most often been one of our choral faculty members. But that decision is made by the ensemble's Board, and not by the music department. (Actually there is very close cooperation, but entirely separate amdinistration, and the ensemble's Board is responsible for hiring and firing the director and accompanist.)

 

I don't know whether the enemble has actually filed for non-profit status, nor do I know whether it would be advantageous for yours to do so. And I'm not sure I understand exactly what you mean by "affiliated with our university but is an independent non-profit corporation." It seems to me that it would have to be one thing or another, but that hinges on the exact meaning of "affiliated."

 

The organization's Board and officers are elected annually, and they seem to run a very tight ship that keeps everyone happy. (Disclaimer: My late wife and a couple of our kids sang in the group, but I have never been officially a member.) And the ensemble's relationship with the university can best be described as non-existent, but cordial. They often hire our faculty or our best students as an orchestra, they have from time to time either encouraged or permitted our students to sing in the community ensemble for which they're received ensemble credit through the university, and as I said, our choral director has often been hired as their director, but it is not part of his university duties anymore than taking a church choir job would be. And the university does not provide either rehearsal or performance space.

 

Our Department Head serves ex officio on their Board, which may describe the relationship as well as anything else.

 

I don't know whether their consitution or by-laws are posted on their website, but you are certainly welcome to visit it at http://www.blacksburgmasterchorale.com/ and perhaps can contact someone through it who could share them with you.

 

All the best,

 

John