DUBUQUE YOUTH ENSEMBLES 2013/2014 SEASON Handbook Dubuque Symphony Youth Orchestra | Dubuque Youth Philharmonia Dubuque Youth String Ensemble Welcome TO THE 13/14 SEASON The Dubuque Symphony Youth Ensembles (DSYE) is the premier orchestral training program for youth in the tri-state area. It is an educational component of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, overseen by the DSO Education Committee. The DSYE’s mission is to supplement and enhance music education in the schools and to promote the highest standards of musical excellence via weekly rehearsals and regularly scheduled public performances. The Dubuque Symphony Youth Ensembles include three training ensembles: Dubuque Youth String Ensemble Dubuque Youth Philharmonia Dubuque Symphony Youth Orchestra The String Ensemble is an introductory honors ensemble for young string players with at least one year of ensemble experience or equivalent ability. The group performs various levels of string orchestra literature from the standard middle school repertoire. The Philharmonia is a full-orchestra honors ensemble for string, wind, brass and percussion players. Members generally have several years of ensemble experience and perform individually at a high-school or advanced middle-school level. The Dubuque Symphony Youth Orchestra is the DSYE’s premier honors orchestra. Students typically have four or more years of ensemble experience and play individually at a pre-college or college level. Musicians gain experience performing standard classical repertoire in a full orchestra setting. All Dubuque Symphony Youth Ensembles are tuition based programs, however, financial assistance is available on an as-needed basis. No student will be denied membership in the ensembles due to inability to pay. Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Mission Statement The mission of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra is to engage the tri-state community and enrich its quality of life through live musical performances and educational programs. Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Educational Goal The education goal of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra is to provide meaningful and accessible learning opportunities to the Dubuque Symphony Youth Ensembles. 1 ATTENDANCE POLICY Rehearsals are the heart of the Youth Ensembles experience. Consistent attendance at rehearsals is essential to educational quality, performance quality, ensemble morale, and membership retention. The objective of each rehearsal is to advance our groups’ abilities to understand the repertoire and perform as an ensemble. We make the most progress when all of our musicians are present, committed, and well-prepared. We understand that many of our students are involved in multiple school music activities and extra- curricular programs and that occasional absences are unavoidable. However, we do ask that parents and students plan ahead by checking their schedules on a regular basis and letting us know of potential conflicts as soon as possible. This will help the Education Director and conductors to plan ahead and adjust the rehearsal schedule accordingly. Youth Ensembles students are allowed the following absences: • TWO (2) absences from September 8 – November 17 (Concert Cycle 1) • TWO (2) absences from November 24 – March 9 (Concert Cycle 2) • ONE (1) absence from March 30 – May 18 (Concert Cycle 3) Absence Notification: We ask that students/parents notify the Education Director of expected absences at least two weeks in advance. The Education Director will keep track of expected absences and submit a list to the Conductors no later than one week before rehearsal. For unexpected absences such as illnesses and emergencies, please notify the Education Director as soon as possible. For all absences, we ask that students/parents complete an Absence Report Form. The forms are available for download from the DSO website: www.dubuquesymphony.org or by request from the Education Director. Forms should be submitted to the Education Director in person at a rehearsal, via e-mail, or dropped off at the DSO office. These forms are recorded and kept in each student’s file. Exceeding Allowed Absences: Any student exceeding the permitted maximum of absences within a concert cycle will receive a notice from the Education Director that s/he needs to schedule a “part- check” with the ensemble conductor. If absences continue to become excessive and/or the conductor no longer feels that the student will be able to perform at an adequate level, the student may be asked to sit out of the current concert cycle’s performance. No refunds will be issued in this situation. Promptness: Musicians should arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of each rehearsal. During that time, musicians should set up instruments and stands, warm up, and be ready to tune 5 minutes prior to the rehearsal start time. Tardiness is considered a violation of the attendance policy and is recorded in the Education Director’s attendance files. Tardiness or early departure by more than 10 minutes is considered a half absence. Conflicts with school instrumental programs: School bands and orchestras are vital partners in the Youth Ensembles’ success, and we urge our students to give 100 percent to their school programs. We make every effort to notify schools of our scheduled rehearsals and concerts and to avoid conflicts with District and All-State Festivals. In many cases, conflicts are unavoidable and absences due to school concerts and other events are expected. However, school music absences are still counted as part of the total allowable absences in a concert cycle. If a student accrues more than two absences in a cycle, either due to school music conflicts or otherwise, s/he will receive a notice from the Education Director that s/he needs to schedule a “part-check” with the ensemble conductor. 2 Dress Rehearsals and Concerts: Attendance at every dress rehearsal and concert is mandatory. If you anticipate missing a dress rehearsal or concert, you must request a release from the Education Director and your conductor, personally and in writing (e-mail), as soon as you know about the conflict, and at least one month in advance. Missing a dress rehearsal may result in not being permitted to perform in the concert. Missing a concert may affect your chair placement in subsequent concerts. AUDITIONS Membership in the Dubuque Symphony Youth Ensembles is open to all qualified musicians through an audition process. Joint auditions for the Dubuque Youth String Ensemble , Dubuque Youth Philharmonia, and the Dubuque Symphony Youth Orchestra are held in the spring of each year. Additional auditions may be held at the discretion of the Education Director and the conductors of the Dubuque Symphony Youth Ensembles. Audition announcements will be provided to all current members, instrumental music teachers in the public and private middle, junior high, and senior high schools within a 50 mile radius of the Dubuque area, and in the print media. All current members of the Dubuque Symphony Youth Ensembles are required to audition each season for membership in the Youth Ensembles. Current membership does not guarantee a permanent position or seating assignment for any player. All positions and membership are open each year. All musicians auditioning, whether current or not, shall have an equal opportunity to attain seating in the ensembles. These auditions assist the Conductors in determining ensemble placement and chair placement. Further, the Dubuque Symphony Youth Ensembles auditions are a good experience for any young musician. Acceptance into and seating in the Dubuque Symphony Youth Ensembles is based solely on the quality of the audition performed. At the time of audition, musicians should indicate which ensemble(s) they are auditioning for. All musicians are asked to perform the scales and excerpts chosen by the ensemble conductors and posted on the DSO website: www.DubuqueSymphony.org. Memorization and accompaniment are not required or expected. Auditions are judged on the following criteria: level of technical proficiency, tone quality, accuracy in reading, strength of tone, rhythmic sense, and intonation. Auditions may be audio- recorded to aid the conductors in deciding seating placement within the ensembles. All musicians will be notified of the audition results within three weeks following the close of auditions. Players will be either: a.) accepted b.) placed on an alternate acceptance list c.) not accepted 3 COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS Seeing a professional orchestra in concert is of great value to young musicians. Therefore, Dubuque Symphony Youth Ensembles students are encouraged to attend as many local performances as they can. Each member is entitled to one free ticket for each set of Dubuque Symphony Orchestra classics concerts, based on availability. Youth Ensembles musicians may request complimentary tickets for performances at Five Flags Theater at the Five Flags Center box office throughout the season (open Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm), at the Five Flags Theater entrance one hour prior to each performance, and through the DSO office. Complimentary tickets for DSO performances at the University of Dubuque may only be requested through the DSO office. If a student’s parents have season tickets and their student would like to sit with them, we ask that you call the DSO office at (563) 557-1677 to make those arrangements. Friends, who are not members of the Dubuque Symphony Youth Ensembles, may purchase $6.00 Student Rush Tickets at the Five Flags Theater or UD Heritage Center one hour prior to each performance. CONCERT DRESS Dubuque Symphony Youth Orchestra Male: Black suit, white dress shirt, black shoes, black socks, black bow tie. Female: Long black skirt (at least calf length) or black dress pants, black long-sleeve blouse, black socks or hose, black shoes. Dubuque Youth String Ensemble & Dubuque Youth Philharmonia Male: Black dress pants, white long-sleeve dress shirt, black socks, black shoes. Female: Long black skirt (at least calf length) or black dress pants, white long-sleeve blouse, black socks or hose, black shoes. Seeing a professional orchestra in concert is of great value to young musicians. Dubuque Symphony Youth Ensemble students are encouraged to attend as many local performances as they can.