OPAS Chorister User Guide
V1.0
Updated 6/12/2010
2
OPAS Chorister User Guide V1.0
Table of Contents
1. A brief description of the OPAS Software programme: .......................................3
2. What is in OPAS for a chorister and how is it different to the Members’ section
of the Sydney Philharmonia website?........................................................................3
3. How does a Sydney Philharmonia chorister access and use OPAS?....................3
4. OPAS News Function …………………………………………………………..5
5. OPAS Calendar Function......................................................................................6
6. OPAS Programme Calendar Filtering Function ...................................................7
7. OPAS Calendar Reports Function ........................................................................9
8. Logging Off ........................................................................................................10
OPAS Chorister User Guide V1.0
Updated on 6/12/2010
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OPAS Chorister User Guide V1.0
1. A brief description of the OPAS Software programme:
OPAS, the Orchestra Planning and Administration System, is a comprehensive
software programme specifically designed to manage virtually every facet of
orchestra administration.
OPAS integrates the repertoire, artistic, scheduling, personnel, finance, library and
tour operations of any performing ensemble.
Designed and developed in association with some of the world's leading orchestras, it
is a highly refined and unique tool for managing a modern symphony orchestra,
chorus, or chamber ensemble.
OPAS is now in use at over 140 organisations worldwide.
2. What is in OPAS for a chorister and how is it different to
the Members’ section of the Sydney Philharmonia website?
There are two ways in which information is disseminated to choristers:
1. OPAS
2. the Members’ section of the Sydney Philharmonia website.
Both are essential for receiving chorister information and keeping up to date.
OPAS is like a weekly bulletin for all choristers. It contains any notices that are
relating to the programmes currently being rehearsed. OPAS also contains the
rehearsal schedule for all programmes in the SPL (Sydney Philharmonia Ltd) calendar.
OPAS cannot store pdf files, therefore those are kept in the members’ section of the
Sydney Philharmonia website (www.sydneyphilharmonia.com.au).
The website contains, amongst other things, leave forms, scores and resources, the
Board Charter, and FAQs.
3. How does a Sydney Philharmonia chorister access and use
OPAS?
On your web browser, type in the web address: http://sydpc.opas-online.com
The first time you use OPAS, add the website to your favourites.
If you are using Internet Explorer:
1) Go to the ‘Favourites’ toolbar
2) Select <Add to Favourites>
3) In the ‘name’ field, change the name to something meaningful
4) Click OK.
5) Go to the ‘Favourites’ toolbar again
6) Select <Organise Favourites>
7) Highlight the OPAS favourite you have just created and
8) Right click on the favourite and select ‘Properties’
OPAS Chorister User Guide V1.0
Updated on 6/12/2010
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9) On the Web Document tab, retype the web address (you will probably find
that your browser has saved an odd url for this favourite, which won’t work
unless you go back in and fix it).
10) Click <Apply>, and then <OK>.
If you are using Mozilla Firefox:
1) Go to the ‘Bookmarks’ toolbar
2) Select <Bookmark this Page>
3) In the ‘name’ field, change the name to something meaningful
4) Click OK.
5) Go to the ‘Bookmarks’ toolbar again
6) Select <Organise Bookmarks>
7) Highlight the OPAS Bookmark you have just created
8) Retype the address in the ‘Location’ field
9) Close the bookmarks box
To Access OPAS:
Select OPAS from your Bookmarks / Favourites
Enter the provided User Name and Password to login:
(If you have forgotten the Password details, please contact your Choir Manager)
The Chorister sign-on ID will provide access only to the ‘News’ and ‘Calendar’
functions.
OPAS Chorister User Guide V1.0
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4. OPAS News Function
After logging in, you will be directed to the News page.
This page will have the latest news entries which have been uploaded by SPL staff.
If there are more News items than fit on one page, scroll to the next (or previous) page
by clicking one of the arrows at the bottom left hand corner of the screen.
OPAS Chorister User Guide V1.0
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5. OPAS Calendar Function
To view the Calendar function, click on the Calendar Button.
The calendar view will automatically open in the current month.
To select another month, use the drop down date box, and hit “Go”.
In the “View” drop down box, you can select Month View, Week View, or Day View.
Clicking on any calendar entry will take you to a pop-up box with all details for that
rehearsal. Return to the main calendar page by clicking ‘Back’ (underneath ‘Dates
and Activities’).
OPAS Chorister User Guide V1.0
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6. OPAS Programme Calendar Filtering Function
OPAS has a function which allows you to filter on a specific programme in the
calendar.
From the calendar, click on a rehearsal or performance of the programme you would
like to filter. In the pop up box, highlight and copy the project name.
Go back to the main calendar view by clicking on <Back>.
Click on <Set Filter> at the bottom of the calendar.
Paste the project name into the Project field, and then click on <Apply Filter> at the
bottom right hand corner of the screen.
OPAS Chorister User Guide V1.0
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OPAS will display only the calls for that particular project:
Similarly, to filter on a particular ensemble, paste the Ensemble name into the
“Orchestra” field, and click on <Apply Filter>. Please beware – filtering on one
ensemble will not pick up any rehearsals that have multiple ensembles listed in the
“Orchestra” field, such as general rehearsals which may have “Sydney Philharmonia
Orchestra, Chamber Singers”. It is therefore safer to filter on “Project”.
To return to the main view click on <Show all records>.
OPAS Chorister User Guide V1.0
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7. OPAS Calendar Reports Function
From the calendar, you can send a report listing scheduled dates for any given month
to an email address. This will provide a concise printable version of the schedule in a
Word Document. It can easily be copied and pasted into an Excel spreadsheet.
In the top right hand corner of the screen, select Schedule Overview or Overview, and
then click on Go. As of 6/12/2010, there is very little difference between the two
reports.
A pop up screen appears. Enter your email address, Subject Header, and message if
required.
Reports can be sent to multiple email addresses. Simply list all required addresses,
separated by a comma and space.
Once the report has been emailed, OPAS will provide the following confirmation
message (and it will list the email addresses).
OPAS Chorister User Guide V1.0
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This is a sample of what you should see in the Schedule Overview Report:
And, a sample of the Overview Report:
8. Logging Off
Once you have finished using OPAS, simply click on the Logout button, in the top
right hand corner of the screen.
END OF DOCUMENT
OPAS Chorister User Guide V1.0
Updated on 6/12/2010