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)