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WHAT EVERY ORCHESTRA MEMBER NEEDS TO KNOW
Attendance
Every musician is expected to participate in the scheduled rehearsals throughout the season. If a student misses more than two rehearsals or is consistently tardy, the parents will be notified. It is the responsibility of the musicians and their parents (or host family if an exchange student) to inform us in advance of any unavailability to perform at a concert. We ask that you do not schedule appointments or vacations at the same time as a prescheduled concert, especially if the musician has an important part to perform.
Student Drop-off and Pick up Policy
All musicians and family members must enter only through the hall's front entrance. Arrive at least ten (10) minutes early to get prepared. Parents/guardians may stay during the rehearsal if they wish to do so. When a session is done, musicians should quickly and quietly remove all their music and instruments as other groups generally follow scheduled BPYO rehearsals. When directed, all music stands must be put away. Please inform a Committee Officer if a musician needs to leave early. Musicians awaiting their ride must remain by the front door. Parents should be punctual in picking up their children. Parking is available behind and on the side of the Hall, as well as across the street.
Excused Absences
If a musician must miss practice, the parent should contact the Membership Chair. Other than those listed here, only two excused absence will be allowed during a concert period (approximately 8-10 weeks). Scheduled music events at school have priority, but you must inform the Membership Chair as soon as you know of a conflict. Serious medical emergencies and a death in the family happen; please inform the Membership Chair as soon as possible. Parents will be informed if their child has several absences or a habit of being late. The Orchestra Director will review excessive absences and discuss with the parents to determine if the offending student should continue to play in the next concert. The Orchestra Director will make this decision on a case-by-case basis.
Rehearsals
The Collegium Musicum division meets on Mondays from 5-6:30 pm. The Virtuosi division meets on Thursdays from 5:30-7:00 pm. On occasion, there will be some combined rehearsals or sectional music training. Orchestra members and parents will generally receive a notification in advance of these exceptions via email and/or through a hand-out note at least one week prior. Rehearsals are in session during most school or federal holidays unless notified otherwise. There will be a two week break during the Christmas holiday season. Rehearsals will resume during the first week in January.
Weather Closures
During inclement weather, the Parent Committee Officers will make every effort to leave messages notifying each member of rehearsal cancellations. DO NOT contact the answering machine at the Philharmonic Hall or the Philharmonic Society’s website, as neither will be able to give out such notifications. If all possible, we will try to post a message on the BPYO web site.
School Music Participation
All members of the orchestra will be active in their school’s music program. Activities related to the student’s music program at their school take precedence over BPYO activities. The BPYO is a supplement to the music education the orchestra members receive at school. Students are encouraged to participate in, and will be excused for, all IMEA, ISHA, and other such activities.
Orchestra Music
Music and music folders are given out on the first few rehearsals of a concert period. Each musician is expected to be responsible for the copies he/she receives and must return them after the concert. Excessive copying of the same material is costly to all of us. If you are an exchange student, you must turn in all music and other material that is property of the BPYO before departing the country.
Concert Dress
Concert attire consists of a white Oxford-like buttoned-up long sleeve shirt, black pants or long length black skirts, black dress shoes, black sock/stockings, and black tie for boys. Boys will be provided with a formal vest at the concert and must return this vest prior to leaving the concert venue. These vests are the property of BPYO and must not be taken home. See-through shirts, flashy undergarments, leggings, jeans, mini-skirts, tennis shoes and flip-flops are not allowed.
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WHAT EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO KNOW:
Supporting your Son and Daughter
Orchestra Booster meetings will be scheduled on a Monday a couple of weeks prior to each concert, with other meetings scheduled as needed. Meetings begin at 5:30 pm and last no more than an hour. All parents are encouraged to participate in as many as possible and take an active role in their child’s musical enrichment. The more the participation, the better the program works for everyone.
Web page
The BPYO web page, www.bellphilyo.org, is maintained and updated as needed to reflect current events. Some forms are on line, others you will receive at registration or via email upon request.
Volunteers
BPYO succeeds because of the volunteer help provided by parents as well as the music provided by the musicians. Assistance is needed in various areas, such as: music library, archiving, delivering fliers, placing ads, research and compiling music notes for concert program, vests, concert set-up, transportation of musical instruments and equipment to and from concert venues, program typesetting, fundraising, and advertisement layout. Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.
Registering Concerns and Sharing Ideas
The parents sitting on the Youth Orchestra Committee for the 2010-11 season is as follows. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact any of them. Suggestions and new ideas are always welcomed.
a. Committee Chairman: Paul Niesen
b. Vice Chairman: Tim Schroeder
c. Secretary: Vacant
d. Bookkeeping/Budget: Julie Niesen
e. Orchestra Coordinator: Vacant
Use of your child’s photograph for publicity
The musician and parent must sign a release form, as some photos are posted in flyers, concert programs, or on the BPYO webpage.
Advertising
BPYO does some limited advertising, but word of mouth has been a more successful method. If you know other young people who love music, invite them to come and try out during a regular rehearsal. Present a flyer or registration form to your school/church music director, or private music teacher and ask that it be posted for other students.
Private Lessons
All BPYO musicians must have someone qualified that can help them with the concert music they are assigned. Music instructors can be your child’s band director, private teacher, or high school music tutor. A private teacher is preferred though. If you are new to the area or unsure where to get help, BPYO Committee Officers can give you a list of area instructors that you may contact. BPYO does not endorse anyone on that list.
COMPETITIONS
Competitions are offered to interested BPYO musicians. During early spring, usually in March, the George N. Tuerck Music Competition for Strings and the BPYO Concerto Competition are held. Winners receive monetary awards and the opportunity to perform their concerto solos, accompanied by BPYO the following November. With the exception of 12th graders, these competitions are open to all orchestra members who will be returning in the fall. Interested high school seniors traditionally play an accompanied solo piece in the spring concert as their grand finale.
GRADUATED AND FORMER STUDENTS
Seniors exiting the BPYO program are encouraged to join the Senior Philharmonic Orchestra as needed under the direction of Mr. Bob Howard. They can participate in the Youth Orchestra, up to 22 years of age with the director’s approval, on an as needed basis as mentors and/or to fill critical vacancies. We strongly encourage past students to join in the summer Intergenerational program!