Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras > Membership Guidelines

MCYO MEMBER GUIDELINES,
RULES and POLICIES

MCYO MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras, Inc. is to nurture, develop, and advance talented young musicians in a high quality orchestral training program.

An orchestra performance is a team effort. Each member depends on all others to create a full and beautiful. Like any other team effort, all positions must be filled to ensure success. As a result, your membership in MCYO is both a privilege and a commitment. This membership brings with it many responsibilities, the most important of which are to:

· Attend all rehearsals and performances.

· Arrive on time for all rehearsals, performances and other orchestra activities.

· Arrive fully prepared with all music practiced and rehearsed.

· Bring your instrument, music, music stand, spare parts, and accessories, including strings, rosin, reads, mutes, cello stops and anything else you will need to rehearse and perform successfully.

· Behave respectfully, politely and maturely at all rehearsals, performances and other orchestra events.

PRIVATE LESSON POLICY

ALL members are required to take private lessons throughout the entire MCYO season. Summer lessons are strongly encouraged. Lessons must be specific to the instrument the musician performs on in MCYO throughout the entire season. Musicians are responsible for taking MCYO music to their private teacher for individual preparation.

MCYO FEES

MCYO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which relies predominantly on member tuition fees to support the program. Auditions are held the fourth week of August and are mandatory for all new and returning students. The fee for our on-line audition registration is $35/student for each audition or $50/student per double audition. Notification of acceptance into MCYO occurs early September. Members complete and return enrollment forms, together with tuition payment by the first rehearsal, September 5, 2007. Tuition for the 2007-2008 Season has been set at $550. MCYO offers partial and full tuition and private lesson scholarships based on financial need. Parents or guardians who wish to submit a confidential scholarship application must do so by September 12, 2007. These forms are included in the Enrollment Packet.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras, Inc. endeavors to provide and maintain a high quality program. Effective communication is critical to this objective. As a result, MCYO communicates with its members and families through the following means:

· The MCYO web site is an essential source for all information including concerts, events, rehearsals and the MCYO calendar.

· E-mail – This is our primary method of communication. It is imperative that we have your correct e-mail address (both parent and musician) at all times. We expect our students and parents to regularly check e-mail for MCYO messages. Please be sure that your spam blockers, firewalls, etc. are set to accept MCYO e-mail at all times.

· Downbeat, a flyer periodically handed out to musicians during rehearsals, provides information on special events, concert report times, changes in plan and other important issues. Parents should be on the look out for these important notices after rehearsals.

· US Mail - Used only occasionally to inform MCYO families of special events and activities. Please make sure to inform the MCYO office of any address changes.

· Tempo, the MCYO newsletter, is published quarterly and mailed to all members.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY & COMMUNICATION

Parents and students must check the MCYO web site to see if MCYO rehearsals or activities have been cancelled due to weather or other emergencies. Parents and students may also listen for MCYO closings on radio WTOP FM 103.5. MCYO does NOT always follow public school closings. If you decide the local condition is too unsafe for travel, please notify your orchestra manager as soon as possible.

MCYO OPERATIONS

The 2007-2008 MCYO season starts with auditions, which begin August 20, and will end with the final concert at the Music Center at Strathmore on May 21, 2007.

Official office hours are between 10:00 and 4:00 Monday through Friday. The office phone is: 301-581-5208/9. Messages are checked often and returned as soon as possible. You are encouraged to use e-mail whenever possible (Cheryl@mcyo.org or Chris@mcyo.org).

It is very important that you regularly check your e-mail for MCYO messages from your Orchestra Manager or the office. Check the MCYO website often for schedule updates and special announcements. Remember, the internet is our primary method of communication.

Since MCYO operates with a very small staff, we ask you to please direct your calls and e-mail to the person most appropriate to your concern. Please note:

Orchestra Managers will answer all questions or concerns regarding attendance, orchestra rehearsals, sectionals or concert logistics. Please have contact information for your Orchestra Manager readily available at all times. They will be the main point of contact for you. Any absences must be reported to the Orchestra Manager, not the office.
Office staff will answer questions or concerns related to tuition, fees, CD and other MCYO merchandise orders, public relations and general administrative communications.
The Strathmore Ticket Office (301-581-5100) handles MCYO concert ticket sales.

STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE

MCYO has maintained a history of excellence for 62 years! All members of our orchestras are expected to contribute to our well deserved reputation and will be held responsible for doing so. Parents may be consulted to try to resolve the following unsatisfactory conduct:

· High absence rate or consistent tardiness

· Failure to bring music, stands, pencils and other necessary accessories to rehearsal

· Failure to uphold expectations; disrespectful behavior

· Poor musical preparation or performance

Expectations

RESPONSIBILITY: All musicians/parents are responsible for regularly checking personal e-mail for messages and announcements from Orchestra Managers and Conductors or from the office. You are responsible for ensuring that we have your correct e-mail address at all times and that you are receiving our messages. MCYO relies on e-mail/web communications to convey information.

COURTESY: Musicians of MCYO are expected to behave respectfully and politely toward one another, conductors, orchestra managers, staff, and board members. Courtesy is expected at rehearsals, performances and in any other MCYO orchestra activities or related communications, written or verbal.

Except for designated breaks, members are expected to stay seated for the duration of the rehearsal. Leaving during a rehearsal is disruptive and should be avoided.

ATTENTION: Members are expected to focus their full attention on their orchestra work during rehearsals. Socializing, eating, doing homework, use of cell phones or other electronic devices, and all other non-musical tasks, are prohibited during rehearsals.

RESPECT FOR PROPERTY: All members must treat rehearsal and performance spaces with respect. Spaces must be left as neat or neater than were found. Whether at Strathmore or rehearsing and performing as guests at another venue, each of us is representing MCYO and we need to conduct ourselves accordingly. On no occasion should MCYO members touch or use computers, office equipment or any other supplies located in the facilities in which we rehearse and perform. Musicians are expected to take proper care of all MCYO music and equipment.

BREAKS: Please be aware that Strathmore is used by many artistic organizations virtually every day and evening of the year. MCYO students must be mindful of and courteous toward patrons attending other activities or working at the Music Center. Congregating in the main lobby/ticket office area during breaks when other events are being presented is prohibited. Musicians attending rehearsals and performances may not wander through the building in areas not designated for MCYO purposes. Running and shouting in lobby, on stairs, and other public areas is forbidden at all times.

PERSONAL CONDUCT: Performing members who demonstrate disruptive or disrespectful behavior, or fail to comply with any part of these guidelines/policies may be subject to disciplinary action at the discretion of the Conductor, Manager or Executive Director. In the unlikely event that some of these expectations are not being met, the Manager will contact the parent in an attempt to resolve problems. Unsatisfactory attendance or misconduct is cause for suspension or dismissal from MCYO. If dismissed, tuition reimbursement and reinstatement will not be possible.

MCYO ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance by all members is critical to the success of the orchestra and to achieving high levels of performance as the season progresses. Orchestra Managers take attendance at all rehearsals and concert performances. Musicians are expected to be in their seats, tuned up and ready to perform at least 5 minutes prior to the rehearsal starting time.

· 2 absences per concert preparation will be permitted, but no more than 5 total absences per year. This includes illness, religious holidays, or school concerts.

· 2 unexcused late arrivals during one preparation period will be considered an absence unless an emergency was involved. Departure of a musician during a rehearsal break, resulting in an absence for the remainder of the evening, will be considered an unexcused absence.

· Anticipated absences and/or late arrivals should be reported to the Orchestra Manager in advance. Please do not call the office about absences or tardiness.

· Conductors may request hearing individual musicians who have excessive absences to determine whether or not the musician is adequately prepared. Excessive absences can result in dismissal.

· Sectional rehearsals are mandatory.

· With advance notice, additional rehearsals may be called by the conductor.

· All dress rehearsals are mandatory. Any conflict with a school or personal appointment must be reported to the Manager or Conductor at least 4 weeks in advance so that arrangements can be worked out with the conductor.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals begin September 5, 2007 and conclude May 14, 2008. All full ensemble rehearsals are held at the Music Center at Strathmore in the Education Center on Wednesday evenings and generally follow the MCPS calendar, including holiday breaks. Weekly rehearsal schedules are:

Chamber Strings 6:45-8:30 Room 114 114

Young Artists 6:45-8:45 Room 309

Symphony 7:00-9:00 Room 402

Sinfonia 7:00-9:15 Room 304

Philharmonic 7:00-9:30 Room 405

Harp Ensemble 6:30-8:00 TBA

SECTIONAL REHEARSALS also occur on Wednesday evenings. They take place at

Cabin John Middle School (10701 Gainsborough Rd., Potomac, MD 20854). See MCYO calendar for specific sectionals’ dates. Percussion sectionals are coordinated by Mr. Krohn.

At every rehearsal & performance, musicians must have their folder, music, music stand and a sharpened pencil. Musicians are expected to practice and prepare parts BEFORE coming to rehearsal. Thoroughly knowing your music is essential for faster progress, better performance and more fun for all. Students are responsible for taking care of all MCYO music by keeping it protected in a folder, marking notes lightly and in pencil and returning all parts when due back.

Concerts

Participation in all concerts is mandatory. A musician who is absent from a concert is still obligated to get his/her music to the concert. Students may be charged $10-$25 per part for any music not returned. Failure to participate in a concert without advance arrangement or failure to send the music may result in the musician's reseating, suspension or dismissal from MCYO. Failure to participate in the May concert will affect the member's future auditions for MCYO.

Performing members should arrive promptly and, preferably 15 minutes before scheduled report times, to set equipment up, get seated, and warm up. Members should be in place, ready to perform 5 minutes before the stated time. Late arrivals and early departures by members are disruptive to warm-ups and are unacceptable at performances. If performing off-site, musicians are expected to arrive at the concert site at the time designated by their Manager/Conductor. Please allow sufficient time to find the concert site and to park.

Concert Viewing Privileges: After performing, MCYO musicians are encouraged to stay and listen to the remainder of the concert as part of their music education. The Grand Tier section of the Concert Hall is reserved exclusively for MCYO musicians who have performed that day. This area is accessible from backstage only, and performers will be escorted under the guidance of a designated chaperone and Orchestra Manager. Families and relatives may not use this seating area. MCYO performers, who wish to sit with their families for the remainder of the concert, must have a ticket to enter the concert hall. For tickets, please call the Strathmore Ticket Office at 301-581-5100. Ticket prices: $18/adult $8/children under 18 & senior citizens.

Concert ATTIRE

The proper concert attire for each MCYO group is listed below. Failure to appear in the proper attire may result in expulsion from the concert.

Symphony/Young Artists/Chamber Strings

· Ladies must wear long-sleeve white tops that tuck into a black skirt or dress pants; also, black shoes and black tights, socks or hose. Skirts must be ankle or floor length and may not have a front slit or a side slit that faces the audience when the musician is seated in performance.

· Gentlemen must wear long-sleeve white shirts without jackets, black pants, black socks, black shoes and straight black ties.

Philharmonic/Sinfonia

· Ladies must wear long-sleeve black tops that tuck into a black long skirt or dress pants or a long sleeve black dress. Dresses and skirts must be ankle or floor length and may not have any front slit or a side slit that faces the audience while seated in performance; also, black shoes and black socks, tights or hose.

· Gentlemen must wear white long-sleeve shirts with black jackets, black slacks, black shoes, black socks and black bow ties. Gentlemen who own tuxedos are encouraged to wear them, with solid black bow ties & cummerbunds only.