SCVYO STUDENT/PARENT POLICIES, PROCEDURES, & CONCERT DRESS
INTRODUCTION
The mission of the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra (SCVYO) multi-tiered ensemble program is to provide exemplary musical education and performance opportunities for each member. This is achieved by the cultivation of musical, social, and personal habits which are accepted, valued, and required by society for personal, academic, and employment success. Each student and parent is, therefore, asked to agree with the following basic expectations as a member of the SCVYO programs.
ATTENDANCE
1. Attendance at ALL scheduled rehearsals, concerts or other special events is mandatory. When you receive your schedule for the season, we ask that you arrange your calendar so you are able to fully participate. When one member of the orchestra is absent, the entire orchestra is affected.
2. Attendance will be taken by the Orchestra Manager at the beginning of each rehearsal. Two absences during the preparation period for any concert, excused or unexcused, may result in your being asked to not perform in the upcoming program or to leave the ensemble(s). Two late arrivals to rehearsal will be counted as one absence, unless previously arranged with your ensemble music director.
3. Requests for permission to be absent for any reason should be submitted in advance by email to your ensemble music director. You are required to contact our Executive Director by email at info@scvyo.org prior to the scheduled rehearsal in the event of an unplanned absence, such as illness.
4. Any member who must be absent for any reason must ensure their musical parts are available at the rehearsal.
5. Missing a dress rehearsal or concert may result in dismissal from the ensemble(s) unless the conductor is notified at least one month in advance of the rehearsal to be missed.
6. The SCVYO reserves the right to dismiss any student due to lack of interest or progress, frequent absences, frequent tardiness, behavioral problems and/or failure to abide by SCVYO Policies.
7. The SCVYO is designed to supplement the music program at your school, should one exist. It is expected that you will continue to participate in that program as well.
REHEARSAL RESPONSIBILITY
1. Bring a pencil and eraser to all rehearsals. Marking of music must be done in pencil only.
2. Ensemble members are expected to prepare their individual parts prior to rehearsals. Students unable or unwilling to learn their parts outside of rehearsal may be placed in a less advanced ensemble or may be asked to leave the program.
3. Your instrument must be kept in first-class condition, which includes having mutes, rosins, extra strings and reeds available at all rehearsals and concerts.
4. All musicians are expected to arrive 15-20 minutes prior to the start of rehearsal to set up and warm up. Tuning begins promptly at the scheduled start time of rehearsal.
5. Musicians are expected to be on time for all concert call times. Furthermore, they are to be in their seats ready to tune when the rehearsal downbeat is called.
6. Talking, eating, drinking (other than water), gum chewing ARE NOT ALLOWED during rehearsals or in rehearsal/practice rooms. Cell phones must be silenced during rehearsals. Minors are forbidden from smoking and/or vaping on the College of the Canyons Campus or during SCVYO sanctioned events. Adults who choose to smoke must do so in designated areas on Campus. There is no smoking/vaping permitted in any room on the COC Campus.
7. Music must be kept in a folder at all times. Parts must be taped. Lost music must be reported to your ensemble director or the Orchestra Manager, immediately. Original parts must be turned in at the end of the semester. Students may keep photocopied parts at discretion of ensemble director.
CONCERT DRESS
Public performance is a visual as well as an aural experience for the audience. Everything you do on stage should enhance the quality of the musical presentation. Concert dress is an important part of this, and all orchestra members are required to adhere to the concert dress requirements.
Here at the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra, we prioritize the safety and comfort of our students as essential elements of a musical performance. As part of our efforts to create a diverse and inclusive environment where all students feel welcome, we foster students’ creative agency and artistic expression in selecting attire.
Students and teachers in each ensemble will collectively determine the attire for each concert. This means that some performances will look differently than others. Once the attire is decided, teachers will then communicate the decision to families and guardians.
-“Special” or “dressed up” solid black, including dress shoes and socks. Please no sneakers or athletic shoes.
-If you are unsure what this means, you are welcome to default to standard concert black, which typically can include a long-sleeve black shirt or blouse, black pants or skirt, or a black dress, below the knee. Jackets are not required.
WHAT TO AVOID IN BOTH REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE ATTIRE
- Violent language or images
- Hate speech, profanity, pornography
- Images or language depicting drugs, alcohol, or any illegal item or activity
- Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment for any race, religion, culture, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, ability, and/or class
- Visible underwear
PARENT RESPONSIBILITY
1. All parents are required to read the ensemble policies carefully. This is an activity in which every child depends on every other child in preparation for a final performance. It is expected that parents will support the policies of the SCVYO and help their child to adhere to these policies. It is further expected that parents will volunteer time or financial assistance to help the orchestras, as tuition covers only about one-fourth of the SCVYO’s operating costs.
AUDITION PROCESSING FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE
TUITION: All tuition must be paid in full and all registration forms completed in order for students to attend the first rehearsal.
1. Discounts are available for families with two or more students enrolled in the orchestras: 10% discount on the ensemble fee will be given for the second child or more after full tuition payment for the student with the higher tuition fee. Discount applies to one ensemble per child.
2. Tuition Refunds are an exception. Refunds will be considered only in a situation involving medical or family emergency, when the tuition has been paid in full, and the withdrawal occurs before the second rehearsal of each semester. There will be no refunds following the second rehearsal of each semester. There will be no refund granted to any student who is dismissed from the ensembles due to poor attendance or untenable behavioral concerns.
PARENT & STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF POLICIES & PROCEDURES
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Student Signature Date
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Parent Signature Date
Parent & Student Understands: If student does not follow the guidelines laid out in the SCVYO policies or the guidance and direction of the Executive Director, any member of the Artistic Staff, Board Members or volunteers, student may be dismissed at any time as a member of the SCVYO without a tuition refund.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF POLICIES BY
STUDENT & PARENT/GUARDIAN
SEMESTER__________________________
STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & AGREEMENT
As a student member of the SCVYO, having read the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra Policies & Procedures, I agree to abide by all the policies and guidelines outlined herein and to conduct myself as a representative of the SCVYO at all times and during all rehearsals, concerts, activities and events.
____YES - Please Check Yes to acknowledge this text
Student - Please print your full name to acknowledge this text
___________________________ ____________________
Student Signature Date
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Student – Print Name
Ensemble(s): _________________
_________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & AGREEMENT
As the parent/guardian of the above-referenced student, I understand my financial obligation to the SCVYO for my child’s participation and helping to ensure my child follows the SCVYO guidelines as outlined in this Policies and Procedures.
____________________________ ______________________
Parent Signature Date
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Parent – Print Name
Rev 12/2023