| To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist> Subject: RE: Folder Shoulder Date sent: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 09:41:58 +1300 Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Hi Nancy, Our choir uses folders that I customised for them to meet the need for "something into which I can slip my fingers". They are very basic (and lightweight) polypropylene - almost indestructable - with our choir logo on the front. To make them easier to hold, I got hold of some leather offcuts and made up a "handle" as a loop of leather on the spine. This is large enough to insert two or three fingers, and allows the user to grip the folder without any risk of dropping it. Works well too. The basic folder is black, and the leather is black too. I managed to get hold of some very dark "bronzed" rivets which hold it all together and look well. The whole exercise took me some time, but didn't cost too much (choir funds are not open to other than necessities - we are not a rich choir). I imagine it would be possible to get this sort of thing made up professionally too.
We ran into two problems though. The printed logo wears if fingers rub on it - a matter of better positioning for next time. Also polypropylene is rather stiff, and tends to spring back to an opening different from what the user wants. Slightly irritating, but can be allowed for.
I doubt if lighter folders than these can be made up. Nothing can reduce the actual weight of music in the folder, although I can (almost) imagine a folder with shoulder straps (!!) for times when the singer must carry heavy music for a long period.
Ewan Stewart, Opus International Consultants Limited, New Zealand. (email address: ewan.stewart-at-opus.co.nz)
| |