This Page Contains Pertinent Information About VOA's Business Policies.

If you are truly interested in being a part of VOA, then please read this document throroughly before you submit your request to audition.  It is hoped that this information will make the process of deciding much easier for you.  If there are any other questions please feel free to contact me by e-mail  wannajoin@voicesofafrica.net.

First, remember you are applying for a job.  You will be hired and paid.  You will have protocols, bylaws, rights and responsibilities. 

We are looking for a certain caliber of performing artist.  If you feel that you meet the criterion, then by all means, please apply.  If you feel that you want to try it out but can't give a commitment, then just remain our fan and we will love you anyway.  If you are willing to take that leap, travel, see the world, work hard, express your deepest multi-task abilities, we are looking for you!  Check out the info below, make your decision and let us know.

Excerpts From VOA Business Manual, page 1

MISSION STATEMENT:

We believe that we can foster multiculturalism. uplift, educate and enlighten everyone we come in contact with by professionally performing Musical & Creative Expressions that acknowledge our African and African American Heritage.

PURPOSE:   The purpose is three-fold:

1.  To learn, teach and demonstrate using the vehicle of the performing arts of songs and African Percussions.

2.  To enlighten and instill pride in our audiences for West African heritage and culture across the African Diaspora.

3.  To extend through our music a powerful, culturally deep and valuable message about changing the conditions of our present world thus making it a better place in which to live.

GOALS:

1.  To achieve a World Presence through the performing arts.

2.  To achieve through the performing arts a vehicle of qualitative and quantitative revenues.

3.  To employ viable performing artists who show commitment to the VOA Mission and Purpose.

4.  To develop outstanding professionalism, staff development and incentives utilizing consultant services that include but are not exclusive of:  incentives, innovation, technical support, marketing, public relation, sales and productions, artistic and physical training, evaluation and analysis.

5.  To develop and employ appropriate support staff who are enamored by concept of Multicultural­ism with a focus on the West African Cultural Arts.

6.  To develop and employ appropriate support staff who show commitment and willingness to make the sacrifices needed to enhance the overall project goals of VOA.

OBJECTIVES:  The following objectives will act as a vehicle to focus VOA ‘s efforts to achieve its goals. Therefore these objectives will grow and develop according to the current trends, needs of those employed, capabilities of VOA members, officers and support staff and various other support that may come in from undefined sources.

1.  Independently manage the development of VOA ‘s projects, programs and incentives.

2.  Independently manage the business production of VOA ‘s projects, programs and incentives.

3.  Utilize a Advisory Board composed of experienced, viable and capable individuals to oversee the progress of VOA ‘s projects, programs and incentives.

4.  Utilize community and world resources that enhance, promote and stimulate the growth of VOA, it’s members and support staff

5.  Solicit and enlist for employment; performing artists as members and session artists for VOA programming.

6.  Provide competitive compensation to all those employed by VOA.

7.  Seek out funding sources that offer services that compliment & supplement VOA ‘s mission, pur­pose and goals.

8.  Seek venues across the landscape of the US and abroad.

9.  Seek venues that provide the appropriate revenues for services provided

10.Seek venues that provide an opportunity to enhance VOA presence in the field of the performing arts.

There are three positions available. Rights and responsibilities vary with each position but there are some basic things that apply to all.

            1. Full time Member:   On call to perform at all of VOA performances.

            2. Apprentice:  Performs as after three months of training and/or readiness, whatever comes first.

            3. Guest Artist:  Affiliation with VOA but is an independent artist who performs whenever needed and/or available.

Appropriate Candidates Must Meet These Initial Requirements.

1. Have expressed and commitment to VOA as a full time or part-time Member/Employee.
2. Are aware of the message, standards and quality of performance the Ensemble wishes to convey to its audience and is willing to comply with these standards.
3. Have an expressed desire to perform the traditional songs and percussion rhythms of Africa and of African in Diaspora.
4. Have previous musical training in the arts via music, dance, singing, theater, percussions and the African Arts.
5. Have previous performing experience and it also willing to learn and comply with what is expected of them as part of VOA
6. Members are permitted and strongly urged to attend all monthly business meetings conducted VOA officers.  Here they will have an opportunity to affect and change policies.
7. If interested may become a VOA Officer.

Following is a copy of Performing Consultant Agreement.  Please read it carefully for it outlines what is expected of you if you become one of VOA's Performing Consultants.

DECACS, Inc. - "Voices Of Africa" Choral & Percussion Ensemble

4531 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139    215-386-0088 (office) 215-965-0021 (fax)  

PERFORMING CONSULTANT AGREEMENT

Fee for Service 

The following are the terms of the agreement ("Agreement") between DECACS, Inc.- “Voices Of Africa”  Choral & Percussion Ensemble("Producer") and ________________________________ (the Performing Consultant) for the proposed performance/musical arts services. 

1.      Scope:  The “Voices Of Africa” Choral & Percussion Ensemble is requesting services as a Performing Consultant.  The scope of services request include but are not exclusive of, tours, performances, workshops, presentations, residencies, media presentations, receptions, school assemblies, studio work, rehearsals, collaborations with other artist groups and individuals, etc.  In addition and from time to time, the Performing Consultant will be asked to give volunteer services periodically in the capacity of one of the Officers of VOA.

2.      Engagement: Producer hereby engages, the Performing Consultant for the approximate period commencing September__________ and ending August, _______ to render services as a Performing Consultant in the “Voices Of Africa” Choral & Percussion Ensemble.  The Performing Consultant, do hereby accept the aforementioned cycle of service and shall render all services required by Producer. The Performing Consultant shall render all services here under promptly and to the best of  their ability through the continuance of the year hereby stated including but not limited to performing, rehearsals, load in/out, costumes, props, and shared driving responsibility.

3.      Compensation:

• Compensation to, the Performing Consultant, per this agreement, shall be issued, on a fee for service basis, in the amount of ________per diem (per day) unless otherwise stipulated by written agreement.
• Payment will be issued according to a pre-determined payment schedule unless otherwise stipulated.  All checks will be made payable to the Per-forming Consultant. The Performing Consultant, agree to submit a written invoice at least three days before the compensation is due.
• VOA reserves the right to issue bonuses, incentives and increased compensations at its own discretion.
• Compensation shall be prorated if an Engagement is terminated prior to the date set forth above.
• Compensation shall cease if for any reason, the Performing Consultant is unable to continue to render its services hereunder.
•  It is also understood that, the Performing Consultant, will be responsible for all city, state and federal taxes and will be issued a 1099 in December, the end  of the fiscal year by Management.

4.   Policies and Procedures: The Performing Consultant, by signing, agrees to follow the policies and procedures outlined in the VOA Manual.   The Performing Consultant also understands that departure from these procedures could render a breach of contract and subsequent forfeiture of fee for service or termination.

5.   Itinerary:  Management will issue an itinerary for all events that cover more than one day and include distant travel outside of Philadelphia.

6.   Transportation and Hotel: Transportation will be arranged and paid for by Management only while, the Performing Consultant, is touring/performing in and outside the point of origin. Hotel accommodations costs will be provided only outside of the city of origin. The point of origin shall be Philadelphia, PA.

7.   Performance Times: Performances can be scheduled Monday through Sundays with all performance times to be announced.  Performing Consultants agree to make Management aware at least four weeks in advance of any events they will not be able to participate in.

8.   Rehearsal: The Performing Consultant agrees to attend all regular rehearsals scheduled for Wednesday and Saturday.  Occasionally the rehearsal days and locations may change according to the other events that Management is involved in.  Rehearsals may also vary while on tour.  Attendance at scheduled rehearsals is mandatory.

9.   Rights: Performing Consultant further acknowledge that Management has the right to use the Performing Consultant photos (still and video) in conjunction with mailings, marketing, and promotion.

10.  Costumes/Makeup: Management will initially supply all costumes.  Performing Consultant will provide own, makeup, and accessories (at own expense).  Repairs to costumes are express responsibility.   VOA will charge the Performing Consultant’s compensation if VOA becomes responsible for repairs.  An invoice for these repairs will be issued to the Performing Consultant.

11.  Support Staff:  Management will provide support staff for loading/unloading, set-up and break down; however each Performing Consultant is expected to assist them as much as possible.

12.  Public Appearances: Performing Consultant shall, when requested by Producer, make public appearances at designated location in which a VOA event is being held.

13.  Termination without cause: Management may terminate this agreement at any time by giving the Performing Consultant one month’s written notice. In the event that this agreement is terminated by Management during an out of town event or tour is in progress, excluding by reason of event or Producer cancellation pursuant to paragraph 13, Management will provide reasonable ground transportation back to the point of origin.

14.  Termination with cause: Management may terminate this agreement at any time for cause without notice. The right of Management to terminate for cause shall include, but not limited to, the right to terminate because:

• Violation of any provision of the agreement, including Performing Consultant's failure to render services under the agreement or PerformingConsultant's failure to tender services in a competent and professional manner or failure to comply with reasonable requests of Management relation to service herein mentioned.

• Dishonesty, fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement, willful misconduct or insubordination;

• Use of any debilitating or controlled substance or intoxication;

• A material change in  physical appearance, voice, general demeanor, or reputation for good moral character which Management determines, in its sole judgment, will adversely affect the quality of the presentations or goodwill of Producer.

• Any display of disrespect (verbal or physical) toward the company members; Management's staffer management, in the presence of sponsors or professional associates, other company members or any person associated with Management.

• Or any actions which unnecessarily endanger persons or property.

15.  Personal Agreement: This agreement is personal to Performing Consultant and may rot be assigned.

16.  Personal Property: It is understood that Management is not responsible for the personal property of Performing Consultant while Performing Consultant is on the road. It is the responsibility of Performing Consultant to be sure that any personal property is properly secured.

17.  Force Majeure: It is understood and agreed that in the event that Performing Consultant or Producer shall be delayed, hindered in, or prevented from the performance of activities at a particular venue by reason of strikes, lack of sufficient ticket sales, fuel crisis, lock out, labor trouble, riots, insurrection, war or other reasons beyond its control, the compensations set forth herein shall be prorated to include only those performance dates not affected.

18.  Travel: Performing Consultant will travel to and from each venue with VOA at all times unless another arrangement is reached and agreed upon by the Performing Consultant and Management.

19.  Sites and Venues: This agreement shall be deemed to have been entered into in Philadelphia, PA, and any legal disputes are to be determined in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Court located in Philadelphia.

20.  Work Week: This agreement is based on a seven-day work week.

21.  Meet & Greet: Some performances may be followed by a meet and greet with the audience and the Performing Consultant shall participate as needed.

22.  Contact: It is the responsibility of the Performing Consultant to inform Management immediately in the event of an address or contact phone number change.

23.  Term of Offer: In the event that a signed copy of this agreement is not received in the VOA Headquarter at 4531 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA on or before ________________, the offer herein shall be deemed null and void. 

The Performing Consultant does hereby accept the aforementioned cycle of service and shall render all services herein required by Producer promptly and to the best of their ability through the continuance of the year September, ______ and ending August, ______ and does hereby affix their signature in good faith.    

In Witness Whereof the parties hereto have executed this agreement on the date first written below.

 Date__________________________________________   By ___________________________________________

                                                                                                        Nana A. B. Agyiriwah, Managing Director & Founder

                                                                                                By ____________________________________________

                                                                                                                Performing Consultant

If you are interested in working with VOA, please click here to fill out the application.