Standards and Expectations for MSYO Players

Attendance
The musical success of the Macon Symphony Youth Orchestra depends on the participation of all of its musicians. You have earned a position in an outstanding musical ensemble. Honor your commitment with punctuality and regular attendance. Each student is allowed a total of three absences during the season. o Please plan carefully for any anticipated absences so as not to exceed the three-absence limit. o Even if youve noted an absence on the anticipated absence sheet you filled out at the start of the season, please send an email to maconyouthorchestra@gmail.com at least a week in advance as a reminder. If you learn of any additional absences that you didnt make note of on the anticipated absences sheet, please notify us as soon as possible. o In case of emergencies, short notices can be made by calling Connie (205-223-1311). Some events are always excused and will not be counted as part of the three absences: o School-related music activities o Participation in a prestigious musical performing ensemble, such as All-State o SAT/ACT testings o Religious holidays In the case of an excused absence, you must still notify the General Manager ahead of time. If notice is not given at least a week in advance, the absence will not be considered excused and will count toward your three -absence limit. The orchestra General Manager has the final say on what is excused and what is not. Do not assume that your absence will be excused. Please do not schedule your private lesson during orchestra time. Private lessons do not count as excused absences. Tardiness or leaving rehearsal early is counted as half of an absence. Attendance will be taken at the published rehearsal start time. Any student who is not in his seat with his instrument and music will be considered tardy. This includes tardies after rehearsal breaks. It is each students responsibility to inform the General Manager of his presence once he arrives if he is tardy. Attendance before concerts: o If a member misses two or more rehearsals for a concert cycle, he may be asked not to play in the remaining rehearsals and concert. If possible, his seat will be filled by a member of a small ensemble or an alternate for that concert cycle. o If a member misses either of the final two rehearsals before a concert, he may be asked not to play in the concert. Note the may in the points above: Please dont assume that youre not allowed to play a concert if youve missed these rehearsals. Your eligibility to perform with us will be based on the Conductors assessment of how prepared you are for the performance. Discuss the situation with the Conductor and General Manager, and be prepared to play the music for the concert to show that youve been practicing to make up for missed rehearsal time .

Students who do not comply with the attendance policy are subject to dismissal from MSYO. Tuition will be forfeited.

Standards and Expectations

2013-2014

Member Rules & Responsibilities

Music: All MSYO players should purchase a black three-ring binder to hold their music. Music may be hole-punched or kept in plastic page protectors. It is the players responsibility to bring the music binder to every rehearsal/performance and to take the music binder home to practice. All music contained in the binder is the personal responsibility of the player. Report missing music to the General Manager immediately. Players may be charged for lost copies. At Rehearsals and Performances: Be at rehearsals on time, warmed up, and ready to go before the tuning. Be sure you have your music, stand and pencil. No refreshments are allowed in rehearsal rooms/concert halls. No member is allowed to leave the grounds during breaks. Realize that seating may rotate. Parts will be decided by the conductor and can be changed during or between concert cycles based on a students attendance, preparation, and level of performance. Each MSYO member is expected to own a portable wire music stand that has his/her name on each piece. Bring your wire music stand with you to all rehearsals. Respectful, courteous behavior is expected at all times. It should be the norm in interactions with your colleagues as well as with the general manager, conductor, sectional coaches, and parents. Smoking, drinking, and drug use will not be tolerated at any MSYO activity. Other Expectations: Students are expected to assist with orchestra set-up as needed. Check your e-mail each week for reminders about upcoming rehearsals and performance. All percussionists are required to assist with the moving of percussion equipment both to and from concert locations and will be expected to arrive early and stay late at concerts to facilitate setup and breakdown. Violations of any MSYO rules may result in immediate dismissal from the orchestra, suspension, or probation at the discretion of the General Manager and Conductor after a conference with the students parent/guardian(s).

Standards and Expectations

2013-2014

Expectations
The basic responsibilities of all students include preparation, attentiveness and attendance. Students are encouraged to go beyond these requirements to include giving consideration to what's behind the music. When was it written? What drives it? What was happening in history at the time? What were writers and other artists producing? What does the music mean to me? What does it demand from me? What does it demand from us as an ensemble? Musicians accepted into this ensemble are accepted on the basis of their performance during auditions. This is a worthwhile ensemble only due to the intense preparation of its members. In the interest of continuing to offer young musicians an opportunity of this caliber, it is the expectation of the MSYO staff that all the members continue to perform at or above the auditioned level. The MSYO staff works hard to create an environment that fosters both a relaxed atmosphere and also a serious attitude toward the difficulties of the music we approach. Simply put, musicians must learn their parts. With this goal, students may be asked to play for the conductor if the conductor is concerned about the level of preparation a student is presenting in rehearsals. Preparation: Work on parts outside of rehearsal, including taking them to your private teacher to learn the music and master its difficulties. Listen to recordings and attend concerts to get a stronger sense of the style, aesthetic, character, and musical feeling to gain an aural picture of the music we're playing. Attentiveness: Be attentive in rehearsals. In addition to listening and responding to instructions, listen to other parts to see how your part fits. Be sensitive to the direction from the podium (the physical gesture). Listen and watch to match articulations, bowings, and style. Repertoire: Repertoire will be selected from standard orchestral works, including arrangements. Works for soloist and orchestral accompaniment, concerto, pops music, seasonal music and secular music may be included. MSYO may have occasional guest conductors. Willingness to Learn: Each player in MSYO has a right to benefit from this unique experience. One important part of your education as a musician is the practice of playing different parts within your section. Realize that seating changes and rotations are not necessarily reflective of your playing ability, but rather are made in an effort to educate each player about how individual parts contribute to the ensemble and to give everyone a chance to lead the section. Players may also be asked to play parts not written for their particular instrument or to make up for a gap in the orchestras instrumentation. For example, flutes may sometimes be asked to play oboe parts if we need to hear more from the oboe. As much as we strive to conduct MSYO as a professional orchestra, we dont have the abili ty to always have one player on a part or have a regular principal player within each section. Being a member whos willing to learn means that youll help the conductor make it workwhether that means learning a part for a different instrument or being willing to rotate seating within your section so everyone has a beneficial experience.

Standards and Expectations

2013-2014

Concert Attire
Proper concert attire is mandatory. Since the MSYO is a training organization for those who may pursue careers as professional musicians, proper concert dress is expected. To avoid embarrassment and the possibility of missing a performance, please conform to this concert attire policy.

Full Orchestra Concert Black

Females: Black dress (must have sleeves and be to the knees or longer). Spaghetti straps, backless, sleeveless, and sequined dresses are unacceptable concert attire. Black skirts (provided they have no slits above the knee), black dress pants and black blouses are acceptable. Black hosiery is required - even with black dress pants (socks are acceptable). Black dress shoes are also required. No sandals or tennis shoes. No leather clothing. No perfume. Discreet jewelry is acceptable. Males: Black coat and black dress slacks with white dress shirt, black bow tie, black socks and black dress shoes (purchasing a tuxedo is not necessary). No tennis shoes. No leather clothing. No cologne.

String Orchestra: Concert Dress

Males and Females: White dress shirt. Black dress pants (no shorts or capris). Closed-toe black dress shoes. No denim, no t-shirts.

Casual Khaki Uniform

Males and Females: MSYO t-shirt. Khaki pants (no shorts, skirts, capris, etc.). Black closed-toe shoes (not athletic shoes).

Casual Jeans Uniform

Males and Females: MSYO t-shirt. Blue jeans (no shorts, skirts, capris, etc.). Jeans must be in nice condition (no holes, patches, acid wash, etc. something you could wear to school). Black closed-toe shoes (not athletic shoes).

Complimentary Tickets to Macon Symphony Orchestra Concerts

As a member of the Macon Symphony Youth Orchestra, you have the opportunity to attend most Macon Symphony Orchestra concerts for free. The dates for this years concerts are October 12, December 1, April 5, and May 3. Students will receive one free ticket per concert. Parents may purchase tickets at the box office. As long as parent and student arrive at the box office together, you should be able to sit together. Student tickets do not have to be reserved in advance. However, you can expect an email in the week leading up to the concert so we can get a rough count of whos interested. Please understand that the Macon Symphony Orchestra provides free tickets to MSYO players as a favor to the orchestra and to encourage young people to attend professional performances. There is no guarantee for tickets. If MSO sells out, tickets will not be available, even if you have requested tickets in advance.
Standards and Expectations 2013-2014

Tuition
The overwhelming majority of MSYOs operational funds come from student tuition. To avoid asking students to do fundraisers like selling cookie dough or wrapping paper (which we know you get enough of with school programs), we ask that each student simply pay tuition upfront to cover costs for the year. Where your money goes: Tuition goes toward student t-shirts (our casual uniform), music, equipment rental, stipends for hired supplemental musicians, photography, audio recordings, and the salaries for MSYO staff.

Tuition: Full Orchestra: $160/semester Payment for first semester is due Monday, September 23. Payment for second semester is due Monday, January 27. String Orchestra: $110/semester Payment for first semester is due Monday, September 23. Payment for second semester is due Monday, January 27. Flute Choir: $110/semester Payment for first semester is due Monday, September 23. Payment for second semester is due Monday, January 27. Alternates: $75/semester for each semester you play in Payment is due at the first rehearsal you attend that semester. Chamber Ensembles: No additional fees. Students in both Full & String Orchestra: Pay Full Orchestra tuition.

Payment may be made by check or credit card. Checks: Make your check out to MSO. Please write your students name on your check! Credit Card: Call Connie at the MSO office, Mon-Thurs, 9am 2pm.

For Families with Multiple Students in MYSO (any ensemble): For the second child, the family gets a discount of $50 off the spring semesters tuition. For the third child, the family gets a $100 discount off of the spring semesters tuition.

Standards and Expectations

2013-2014