Eligibility
All students, in the sixth grade or higher, who are members of the Eugene Youth Symphony, the Eugene Junior Orchestra, the Cadet Orchestra or String Academy 2, are required to play the instruments they play in the Arts Umbrella ensemble in their respective public school or state-accredited private school band or orchestra. This requirement was created to maintain a cooperative and supportive relationship between the public and state-accredited private school music programs and Arts Umbrella. Individual situations will be reviewed by the Eligibility Committee of the Board of Directors. Eligibility forms will be completed at time of audition.
Musician Responsibilities
Productive rehearsals and concerts require each and every player’s attendance and full participation. We believe that the difference between a good performance and a great one lies in the commitment of every single member to attendance, preparedness, and excellence. All musicians are required to do the following:
- Arrive at least 10 minutes before rehearsal begins, instrument ready, music in place, and ready to begin.
- Bring all music and a pencil to rehearsals.
- Practice orchestra repertoire regularly and come well prepared to rehearsals.
- Make concerts, rehearsals and scheduled sectionals a priority by honoring the attendance policy.
- Each musician will conduct themselves in a cooperative and respectful manner towards others and the rehearsal and concert facilities. If not done so, consequences will occur.
- It is the responsibility of Arts Umbrella to make available all information about rehearsals, concerts, special events and changes. It is the responsibility of the parent and/or student to obtain this information and to be aware of any changes.
- Participation in private lessons is encouraged.
- Members must abide by all orchestra policies, including attendance and concert dress.
- Students will be picked up promptly at the conclusion of rehearsals.
Financial Information
Participation Fees:
- Youth Symphony: $370
- Junior Orchestra:$370
- Little Symphony: $300
- String Academy 1 $270
- String Academy 2 TBA
Scholarships:
- Participation Fee Request for Assistance: Need based scholarships for partial assistance with participation fees are available. A family's financial status should not eliminate any student from participation in any of the orchestras.
- Lesson Scholarships: Arts Umbrella encourages each member of the orchestras to take private music lessons. Scholarships are available to assist those who otherwise would not be able to afford private lessons.
- Lurene Eliason Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded to members of the Junior Orchestra for summer music education programs. These members must be planning on using the knowledge gained from the summer experience in a Eugene Youth Symphonies orchestra the following year.
Awards:
- Youth Symphony Awards
Rose Award: Presented to an outstanding senior member of the orchestra and is voted on by the Youth Symphony members. Horton Award: Presented to an outstanding senior as determined by the conductor. - Junior Orchestra Award:
Lurene Eliason Award: Recognizes outstanding musicianship and leadership in the Junior Orchestra. - Cadet Orchestra Award:
Conductor’s Choice Award: Musician(s) selected by the conductor for outstanding musicianship, attendance and leadership.
Attendance Policy
Every orchestra member is expected to be at all rehearsals and concerts, prompt and prepared. This is essential for the success of the musician and the ensemble.
Attendance policies for the Arts Umbrella orchestras are:
- Excused absences - Personal illness and family emergen- cies are the only qualifications for an excused absence.
- Absence Request Form - Unless the absence is caused by personal illness or family emergency, the Absence Request Form will be used to request a musician’s first unexcused absence. Musicians need to inform their conductor at least 10 days prior to an absence using the Absence Request Form (parent signature required).
- Unexcused absences - Only one unexcused absence will be allowed per concert set. A Concert Set is the set of rehearsals required to prepare music for a single concert and will be clearly indicated on the rehearsal schedule. After the first unexcused absence, musicians will be informed in writing about their status. Following the second unexcused absence, musicians will be dropped from the orchestra. Further, your conductor may ask you not to play in the concert if you miss one or both of the rehearsals immediately preceding a concert.
- Tardies - three unexcused tardies per Concert Set will be con- sidered as an unexcused absence. Your conductor will determine if a tardy is unexcused. If no explanation is given during the rehearsal/concert where the tardy occurs, thetardy will be considered unexcused.
- Rehearsal schedule - A complete rehearsal/concert schedule will be made available to all musicians at the spring auditions.
- All musicians must call the attendance phone number listed below and leave the requested informaiton to notify registrars of excused absences as soon as possible
Arts Umbrella Orchestra Attendance Line: 505-2744
Because students frequently share music with other musicians, it is the responsibility of each musician to see that his/her music and folder are at all rehearsals and concerts if an absence occurs.