Last edited: 01/20/2008

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

STRING SEATING

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 & SYMPHONETTE, WOODWIND, BRASS SEATING & PERCUSSION

Parts in various pieces will be assigned on a rotational basis by the Conductor.

SYMPHONIC WINDS SEATING

Each section of the Symphonic Winds will have chair auditions as part of its periodic sectional rehearsal.  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.  A guest teacher will then hold individual chair auditions.  Any woodwind or brass player may move up in the section, only if s/he plays that part, not his/her current part, significantly better than the player in front of him/her.  Players do not need to learn lower parts for chair auditions.

Chair placement will be decided by the Conductor, based on both the auditioners’ 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 challenge/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.
 

ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR REHEARSALS AND CONCERTS

READ CAREFULLY AND USE AS REFERENCE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Attendance at all rehearsals and promptness are expected of all PYS Orchestral Training students.  Arrive for rehearsals at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time to begin and sign in.  Warm up your instrument and be in your assigned seat when the conductor takes the podium.  Arriving as rehearsal begins is not considered “on time”.
You must sign in to be counted present.

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

A.      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.

3. Brass, woodwind, or percussion players in PYS and Symphonette must give copies of current  music or their complete music folder, to the section leader at the week’s rehearsal preceding the absence.

B.      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.)  Music folder must be given to the section leader in time to begin the rehearsal, except in an extreme emergency.  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.

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

A.      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 absences will result in removal from the orchestra

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

III. Tardies

A.      Unexcused lateness or leaving early will count as ½ absence.  See above for definition of “unexcused”.

B.      Call your Attendance Chairman if it is necessary for you to unexpectedly arrive late or leave early.

C.       Brass, Woodwind, and Percussion musicians in the PYS and Symphonette – Arrange for your music to be at rehearsal on time.  If you cannot possibly take it to an attending student, call the group Librarian far enough in advance for a copy to be made of your part.

MUSIC POLICY

1.      A Music Fee is included in the required fees for each student.

2.      The group Librarian shall issue each student a numbered music folder/binder and music currently being rehearsed.  The student will keep the same folder number for the entire year.

3.      All issued music shall be stored and transported in the member’s assigned folder/binder.  As music is issued, the student should write his/her name IN PENCIL on the top of each page to avoid confusion.

4.      All issued music shall be present at each rehearsal and performance.  If a wind or percussion player is absent from a rehearsal or performance, s/he must arrange to get the music to the group Librarian before that rehearsal begins.

5.      The music and folder/binder shall be maintained in good condition throughout the season.  Any damaged or missing music or folder shall be considered lost, and the student shall be charged the full replacement cost.  If a student in String Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, or Symphonette loses or damages any issued music, a fee of $1 per page will be charged.  PYSYO students will be charged with full value of the original music.  If the charge exceeds $15, the student/student’s parent will be billed the additional amount.

6.      Issued music shall be marked in No. 2 pencil lead only.  All markings other than corrections and bowings shall be removed prior to return of the music.

7.      If a student drops or is dismissed from the group, all issued music shall be returned to the group Librarian NO LATER THAN the following rehearsal.

All music shall be returned to the group Librarian in designated order, as instructed, on the designated dates.