PYS - Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras

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Last edited: 07/04/2009

PYS Policies

PYS Chair Challenges and Chair Auditions will be left up to the discretion of each conductor for his/her group.

PHOENIX YOUTH SYMPHONY, SYMPHONETTE, STRING ORCHESTRA, PERCUSSION

PYS SEATING POLICY
The Conductor of the Youth Symphony will hold chair auditions before or after rehearsals on scheduled dates. String Orchestra, Symphonic Winds and Symphonette will have chair auditions as part of their periodic sectional rehearsals. Every player in the section will be required to play a brief excerpt from the music rehearsed during the sectional. Sectionals will be taught by professional musicians who will lead the entire section through the literature currently in their folders. Either the conductor or the guest teacher will then hold individual chair auditions for each section of the ensemble.
Chair placement will be decided by the Conductor, based on both the adjudicators’ scores and recommendations, and the Conductor’s rehearsal observations. Chair positions will not be frozen for absence or any other reason. A player who is absent from a chair audition will automatically be placed at the end of the section. In case of school conflicts the student will be allowed to make up the chair audition at the convenience of the Conductor, provided there has been sufficient notice given by the student. A student who incurs an injury or illness which prevents him/her from playing the instrument will be excused from chair auditions and assigned to the back of the section.
After each Principal is seated, the rest of the section will be organized to maximize the best orchestra balance. There may be periodic rotations of the sections at the conductor’s discretion. In light of this, the concert programs will state the name of the Principal of each section, followed by an alphabetical listing of the players of that section.

PHOENIX YOUTH SYMPHONY AND SYMPHONETTE
WOODWIND, BRASS SEATING & PERCUSSION
Parts in various pieces may be assigned on a rotational basis by the Conductor.

PYS Chair Challenges and Chair Auditions will be left up to the discretion of each conductor for his/her group.

ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR REHEARSALS AND CONCERTS
Full attendance is important for the entire group in order to have a complete and productive rehearsal. Sign in and check to see if your name is highlighted. If so, you need to speak with your Attendance Chairman as soon as possible to find out why. Names are highlighted when students need to see a member of the Executive Committee for messages or are missing forms that are past due.
I. Excused Absences

School Conflicts (absence request form submitted to Attendance Chairman 2 weeks in advance).

1. More than 2 absences per concert cycle will mean you are not as prepared as the others and you may be asked not to perform in that concert.
2 Be sure that all necessary signatures and explanations are on all forms.

Personal Illness and/or Family Emergency (Attendance Chairperson notified in writing prior to rehearsal/performance, if possible, and if not, notified in writing as soon after as possible, and signed by parent/guardian.) A student who incurs an injury or illness which prevents him/her from playing the instrument should attend rehearsals if physically able to do so. The conductor will determine if and/or when the player will be reinstated, only after receiving a formal written release from the attending physician.
Concerts or Retreat If a student is going to miss a concert or the retreat, s/he must submit the absence request form to the Attendance Chairman 2 weeks in advance. The student must also have the conductor’s signature on the completed form in order to be considered excused from a concert or the retreat.

II. Unexcused Absences (not having arranged two weeks in advance with the Attendance Chairperson, and not having a valid reason – see above for valid reasons)

Consequences

Concerts:

1. Principal or Assistant Principal – lose chair
2. An unexcused absence for any concert, including Music Memory, may result in not performing in final
concert or other concerts.
3. Two unexcused concert absences will result in removal from the orchestra

Rehearsals – Students with three unexcused absences will be referred to the Orchestral Advisory Committee to determine action to be taken.

III. Tardies

Unexcused lateness or leaving early will count as ½ absence. See above for definition of “unexcused”.
Call your Attendance Chairman if it is necessary for you to unexpectedly arrive late or leave early.

CLICK HERE for Absence Request/Excuse Form

PhoenixYouthSymphony.org
home mission newsletters schedule auditions policies orchestras event photos young musicians competition music memory dress code PYS alumni fund raising links Support PYS instruments for sale how to contact us	Last edited: 07/04/2009 PYS Policies PYS Chair Challenges and Chair Auditions will be left up to the discretion of each conductor for his/her group. PHOENIX YOUTH SYMPHONY, SYMPHONETTE, STRING ORCHESTRA, PERCUSSION PYS SEATING POLICY The Conductor of the Youth Symphony will hold chair auditions before or after rehearsals on scheduled dates. String Orchestra, Symphonic Winds and Symphonette will have chair auditions as part of their periodic sectional rehearsals. Every player in the section will be required to play a brief excerpt from the music rehearsed during the sectional. Sectionals will be taught by professional musicians who will lead the entire section through the literature currently in their folders. Either the conductor or the guest teacher will then hold individual chair auditions for each section of the ensemble. Chair placement will be decided by the Conductor, based on both the adjudicators’ scores and recommendations, and the Conductor’s rehearsal observations. Chair positions will not be frozen for absence or any other reason. A player who is absent from a chair audition will automatically be placed at the end of the section. In case of school conflicts the student will be allowed to make up the chair audition at the convenience of the Conductor, provided there has been sufficient notice given by the student. A student who incurs an injury or illness which prevents him/her from playing the instrument will be excused from chair auditions and assigned to the back of the section. After each Principal is seated, the rest of the section will be organized to maximize the best orchestra balance. There may be periodic rotations of the sections at the conductor’s discretion. In light of this, the concert programs will state the name of the Principal of each section, followed by an alphabetical listing of the players of that section. PHOENIX YOUTH SYMPHONY AND SYMPHONETTE WOODWIND, BRASS SEATING & PERCUSSION Parts in various pieces may be assigned on a rotational basis by the Conductor. PYS Chair Challenges and Chair Auditions will be left up to the discretion of each conductor for his/her group. ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR REHEARSALS AND CONCERTS Full attendance is important for the entire group in order to have a complete and productive rehearsal. Sign in and check to see if your name is highlighted. If so, you need to speak with your Attendance Chairman as soon as possible to find out why. Names are highlighted when students need to see a member of the Executive Committee for messages or are missing forms that are past due. I. Excused Absences School Conflicts (absence request form submitted to Attendance Chairman 2 weeks in advance). 1. More than 2 absences per concert cycle will mean you are not as prepared as the others and you may be asked not to perform in that concert. 2 Be sure that all necessary signatures and explanations are on all forms. Personal Illness and/or Family Emergency (Attendance Chairperson notified in writing prior to rehearsal/performance, if possible, and if not, notified in writing as soon after as possible, and signed by parent/guardian.) A student who incurs an injury or illness which prevents him/her from playing the instrument should attend rehearsals if physically able to do so. The conductor will determine if and/or when the player will be reinstated, only after receiving a formal written release from the attending physician. Concerts or Retreat If a student is going to miss a concert or the retreat, s/he must submit the absence request form to the Attendance Chairman 2 weeks in advance. The student must also have the conductor’s signature on the completed form in order to be considered excused from a concert or the retreat. II. Unexcused Absences (not having arranged two weeks in advance with the Attendance Chairperson, and not having a valid reason – see above for valid reasons) Consequences Concerts: 1. Principal or Assistant Principal – lose chair 2. An unexcused absence for any concert, including Music Memory, may result in not performing in final concert or other concerts. 3. Two unexcused concert absences will result in removal from the orchestra Rehearsals – Students with three unexcused absences will be referred to the Orchestral Advisory Committee to determine action to be taken. III. Tardies Unexcused lateness or leaving early will count as ½ absence. See above for definition of “unexcused”. Call your Attendance Chairman if it is necessary for you to unexpectedly arrive late or leave early. CLICK HERE for Absence Request/Excuse Form



Information contained on this web site should not be construed to be either the definitive, or latest, information regarding PYS; (We will attempt to keep the web site current!) The PYS Handbook is the official document concerning PYS, weekly newsletters will contain the most up-to-date information regarding PYS events and concerts.