CSUN Youth Orchestras Policies

CSUN Youth Orchestras Policies

Updated June 12, 2023

INTRODUCTION

The mission of the CSUN Youth Orchestras is to provide a high quality experience for each of the participants. 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. Therefore, each student and parent is asked to agree to the following basic expectations of members of the orchestras.

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 affairs so as to be able to participate fully. When one member of the orchestra is absent, the entire orchestra is affected.
2. Attendance will be taken by a designated individual at the beginning of each rehearsal. After two absences, excused or unexcused, during the preparation period for any concert, you may be asked to leave the orchestras or not perform on the upcoming program. Two arrivals after the beginning of rehearsal will be counted as one absence.  Absences related to school music program functions are considered excused but still must be reported and approved by your respective conductor.  Family emergencies and severe illness are also considered excused absences.
3. Requests for permission to be absent for any reason should be submitted in advance and in writing via e-mail to the Youth Orchestra Office. In case of unplanned absences (such as illness) please e-mail the Youth Orchestra Office as soon as possible prior to rehearsal.
4. Any member, who must be absent for any reason, still must make sure that his or her part is available at the rehearsal.
5. Missing a dress rehearsal or concert may result in dismissal from the orchestras unless the conductor is notified at least one month in advance of the rehearsal to be missed.
6. The CSUN Youth Orchestras reserve the right to dismiss any student because of lack of interest or progress, frequent absences, frequent tardiness, behavioral problems and/or failure to abide by Orchestra Policies.
7. The CSUN Youth Orchestras are designed to supplement your own school’s music program, should one exist. It is expected that you will continue to participate in that program.

REHEARSAL RESPONSIBILITY

1. Orchestra members are required to bring their own music stands to rehearsal.
2. Bring a pencil and eraser to all rehearsals. Marking of music must be done in pencil only.
3. Orchestra 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 orchestra or asked to leave the program.
4. Your instrument must be kept in first-class condition, which includes having mutes, rosins, extra strings and reeds available at all rehearsals and concerts.
5. All players are expected to arrive 15 minutes prior to the rehearsal so that they can be seated and ready to play 5 minutes before the scheduled start of rehearsal. Tuning will begin at the scheduled start of rehearsals at A-440Hz.
6. Students are expected to be on time for all concert call times. Furthermore, they are to be in their seats ready to tune when the downbeat is called.
7. Talking, eating, drinking, gum chewing and smoking ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED during rehearsals and in the rehearsal room.
8. Music must be kept in the folder provided at the beginning of the season. If you lose your music, please report it immediately to the librarian or other office staff. You will be required to pay the cost of replacing all original copies of music.

CONCERT DRESS

Concert dress is an important part of our performance and all members must adhere to concert dress codes. We are no longer dividing our dress code into male and female requirements but are simply listing the options available to students based on what they are comfortable with.

PHILHARMONIC

• Girls: Black dress or black skirt/black dress slacks and solid black blouse, black nylons and black shoes PLEASE – no mini-skirts, no sleeveless dresses, no tight skirts with slits
• Boys: Black suit, white dress shirt, black bow tie, black socks, black dress shoes – NO TENNIS SHOES

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 

• Girls: Black dress/blouse, black bottom, black dress shoes
• Boys: Black suit, white dress shirt, black bow tie, black socks, black dress shoes – NO TENNIS SHOES

CAMERATA STRINGS: Uniform is all black

• Girls: Black skirt, dress, dress slacks, black blouse, black socks or nylons, black dress shoes
• Boys: Black dress pants, black dress shirt, black necktie, black socks/black dress shoes

PARENT RESPONSIBILITY

1. All parents are required to read the orchestra 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 CSUN Youth Orchestras 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 half the costs of operating the orchestras.
2. TICKETS: Ticket sales are one way to help the orchestras defray the cost of the performance halls. Each family is expected to participate with its support by purchasing tickets for each concert. Concert tickets make great gifts for other relatives and friends, while at the same time supporting your child's activities and enjoying the company of others.
3. The students will be handed calendars at the first rehearsal. Please go over this calendar with them to be sure there are no family conflicts throughout the year. It is very important the conductors be notified as soon as possible if you notice a conflict, especially if it is a conflict with a performance. 
4. Our Youth Orchestra Manager Stefan Krut is a part time employee. He will be in the office throughout the weekends during rehearsals. In addition, he has office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you wish to reach a conductor during the week, please e-mail the Youth Orchestra Office and it will makes its way to the right conductor.

TUITION

1. All tuition must be paid in full and all registration forms complete in order for students to attend the first rehearsal. The CSUN Youth Orchestra do offer a payment plan for those wishing to pay by this option. Please see Stefan Krut in the main office for an explanation of this plan and for an application.
2. Discounts are available for families with two or more students enrolled in the orchestras. Please contact Stefan Krut for information on how to get the sibling discount.
3. 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 third week of the year. In such cases, 75% of the tuition may be refunded during the first week and 50% during the second week.
4. There will be NO refund granted to any student who is dismissed from the orchestras.