JHS 2019-2020 Handbook
JHS STUDENT MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Membership is by audition only. All new and returning members must audition.
- Each member must belong to her/his school district band or orchestra if one is available (see Participation Policy).
- Musicians must be in the 6th grade to participate in JHS. Transition to CYS generally occurs in the 9th or 10th
- Parents of all musicians are expected to contribute volunteer time.
- Each member must agree to abide by the Attendance Policy. Members must be in their seats, warmed up, and ready to play, ten minutes before each rehearsal begins.
- Each member must agree to abide by the Behavior Expectations.
JHS TUITION & SCHOLARSHIPS
The non-refundable tuition for JHS is $450 for the year when paid cash/check and $465 when paid through PayPal/credit card. This includes 4 tickets to each JHS and CYS concert. Please participate for both sessions if you are able to!
If you are only able to participate for ONE session, tuition is $250 (cash/check) or $260 (PayPal/credit card).
JHS has half tuition scholarships available for families with demonstrated financial need. Application forms are available from the CYSA office.
The non-refundable tuition for JHS is $450 for the year when paid cash/check and $465 when paid through PayPal/credit card. This includes 4 tickets to each JHS and CYS concert. Please participate for both sessions if you are able to!
If you are only able to participate for ONE session, tuition is $250 (cash/check) or $260 (PayPal/credit card).
JHS has half tuition scholarships available for families with demonstrated financial need. Application forms are available from the CYSA office.
VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS
Each JHS family is expected to volunteer for the good of the orchestra. Positions range from concert usher to helping put away chairs after each rehearsal, and everything in between. Sign up for volunteer positions will take place at the parent meeting, or email the JHS Volunteer Coordinator, Julia Rask ([email protected]), to sign up for a position.
Each JHS family is expected to volunteer for the good of the orchestra. Positions range from concert usher to helping put away chairs after each rehearsal, and everything in between. Sign up for volunteer positions will take place at the parent meeting, or email the JHS Volunteer Coordinator, Julia Rask ([email protected]), to sign up for a position.
JHS MUSIC FOLDER POLICY
Musicians are responsible for their JHS music folder, and for returning their folder after each concert of the season. A $20 replacement fee will be assessed for loss or damage to your music folder (includes tearing, stickers, marks in pencil or ink, or water damage).
Musicians are responsible for their JHS music folder, and for returning their folder after each concert of the season. A $20 replacement fee will be assessed for loss or damage to your music folder (includes tearing, stickers, marks in pencil or ink, or water damage).
CONCERT DRESS EXPECTATIONS
For Women: Long (at least calf length) black skirt or black pants, black tights/socks, white blouse, black shoes, and minimal jewelry.
For Men: Black slacks, long-sleeved white shirt, black tie, black socks, black dress shoes.
Conservative dress only. No sleeveless, bare backs, strapless or spaghetti straps. No bare midriff. No flip-flops or casual sandals.
For Women: Long (at least calf length) black skirt or black pants, black tights/socks, white blouse, black shoes, and minimal jewelry.
For Men: Black slacks, long-sleeved white shirt, black tie, black socks, black dress shoes.
Conservative dress only. No sleeveless, bare backs, strapless or spaghetti straps. No bare midriff. No flip-flops or casual sandals.
JHS PARTICIPATION POLICY
While certain subjects in the school system are part of the core curriculum, music is generally viewed to be an elective program. As a result of this, the continuing health of the school music program during times of financial stress depends solely on its popularity within the schools. The single, clear sign of this popularity is the student count. Music programs exist because many students chose music. Often this choice is difficult.
The stated objectives of CYSA are “to support and enhance the school music program, providing talented musicians with an exceptional music experience.” To help achieve these objectives, CYSA adopted a rigorous Participation Policy. Membership in JHS requires membership in the student’s school or district band or orchestra class. Home-schoolers and students attending schools that don’t provide band or orchestra classes are strongly encouraged to participate in a nearby school or community ensemble. Adoption of a more lenient policy would be to provide an alternate to the school music program, not a supplement. Such an approach would be competition to school music and a threat to the regional community of music teachers. CYSA will never do anything to harm the school program knowingly.
Under extreme circumstances, a review committee, in consultation with the affected band or orchestra teacher, may waive this requirement. Possible exceptions could be a scheduling conflict with a class required for graduation or a lack of possible transportation. Choosing not to be in a school music program because of conflict with other electives, choosing not to attend classes at available times, or choosing not to travel even though reasonable transportation options are available are not considered extreme situations.
While certain subjects in the school system are part of the core curriculum, music is generally viewed to be an elective program. As a result of this, the continuing health of the school music program during times of financial stress depends solely on its popularity within the schools. The single, clear sign of this popularity is the student count. Music programs exist because many students chose music. Often this choice is difficult.
The stated objectives of CYSA are “to support and enhance the school music program, providing talented musicians with an exceptional music experience.” To help achieve these objectives, CYSA adopted a rigorous Participation Policy. Membership in JHS requires membership in the student’s school or district band or orchestra class. Home-schoolers and students attending schools that don’t provide band or orchestra classes are strongly encouraged to participate in a nearby school or community ensemble. Adoption of a more lenient policy would be to provide an alternate to the school music program, not a supplement. Such an approach would be competition to school music and a threat to the regional community of music teachers. CYSA will never do anything to harm the school program knowingly.
Under extreme circumstances, a review committee, in consultation with the affected band or orchestra teacher, may waive this requirement. Possible exceptions could be a scheduling conflict with a class required for graduation or a lack of possible transportation. Choosing not to be in a school music program because of conflict with other electives, choosing not to attend classes at available times, or choosing not to travel even though reasonable transportation options are available are not considered extreme situations.
JHS BEHAVIOR POLICY
The rehearsal room is a place for learning. All students have a right to learn and the conductor has a right to teach and direct the rehearsal. If students behave inappropriately, other students cannot learn and the teacher cannot teach. Students are expected to respect others’ rights and behave in a manner that (1) avoids disruption of the educational process, (2) protects everyone’s health, safety, and the right to learn, and (3) safeguards property from loss or damage.
There are many ways to disrupt a rehearsal: cell phone use during rehearsal; talking during rehearsal; playing while the conductor is giving instructions; touching others or their instruments; and forgetting your music/pencil are just a few examples.
To have a peaceful, happy, and productive rehearsal, all students must be responsible for following the behavior expectations and for paying attention. Students that choose not to follow these expectations may be asked to leave the rehearsal or resign their position in JHS.
Cell phones are not permitted during rehearsal and must stay in students’ cases outside of the rehearsal room.
The rehearsal room is a place for learning. All students have a right to learn and the conductor has a right to teach and direct the rehearsal. If students behave inappropriately, other students cannot learn and the teacher cannot teach. Students are expected to respect others’ rights and behave in a manner that (1) avoids disruption of the educational process, (2) protects everyone’s health, safety, and the right to learn, and (3) safeguards property from loss or damage.
There are many ways to disrupt a rehearsal: cell phone use during rehearsal; talking during rehearsal; playing while the conductor is giving instructions; touching others or their instruments; and forgetting your music/pencil are just a few examples.
To have a peaceful, happy, and productive rehearsal, all students must be responsible for following the behavior expectations and for paying attention. Students that choose not to follow these expectations may be asked to leave the rehearsal or resign their position in JHS.
Cell phones are not permitted during rehearsal and must stay in students’ cases outside of the rehearsal room.
CYSA ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY
CYSA is committed to providing an environment free of harassment. Students, staff, and volunteers are expected to be respectful of one another in all regards. If ever concerns arise, please communicate your concerns to a senior staff member (Executive Director, Conductor, or Orchestra Manager) and/or board member.
CYSA is committed to providing an environment free of harassment. Students, staff, and volunteers are expected to be respectful of one another in all regards. If ever concerns arise, please communicate your concerns to a senior staff member (Executive Director, Conductor, or Orchestra Manager) and/or board member.
JHS ATTENDANCE POLICY
JHS is recognized for the excellence of its musical performances. High quality demands a commitment of faithful attendance and industrious concentration at each rehearsal. Anything less is not considered acceptable for a group of this caliber. Any absence adversely affects the quality of the performance and the group’s reputation.
JHS students are often committed to various other activities. Problems can arise when commitments conflict. Students who might have conflicts (e.g., sports and school activities) need to carefully study their calendars to determine the seriousness of the conflicts. When conflicts require a student to miss a concert, a dress rehearsal, or several rehearsals (more than 3), the student should not participate in JHS for that season. When conflicts are less severe, the student should consult with the Conductor as soon as possible to determine what arrangements can be made.
JHS is recognized for the excellence of its musical performances. High quality demands a commitment of faithful attendance and industrious concentration at each rehearsal. Anything less is not considered acceptable for a group of this caliber. Any absence adversely affects the quality of the performance and the group’s reputation.
JHS students are often committed to various other activities. Problems can arise when commitments conflict. Students who might have conflicts (e.g., sports and school activities) need to carefully study their calendars to determine the seriousness of the conflicts. When conflicts require a student to miss a concert, a dress rehearsal, or several rehearsals (more than 3), the student should not participate in JHS for that season. When conflicts are less severe, the student should consult with the Conductor as soon as possible to determine what arrangements can be made.
PRE-APPROVED ABSENCES
If a student knows in advance that (s)he will need to be excused from a future rehearsal, or will be late to a future rehearsal, (s)he must get pre-approval. Immediately after receiving permission from the Conductor, the student is to send an email to the Conductor and the Orchestra Manager documenting the date and reason for the pre-approved absence or late arrival.
LAST MINUTE ABSENCES
If an emergency arises or a student is ill and unable to attend, the student should contact the Orchestra Manager as soon as possible. If they cannot be reached, the student should call the CYSA Office Phone at (541) 766-4903 and leave a message.
Homework is not an acceptable excused absence!
If a student knows in advance that (s)he will need to be excused from a future rehearsal, or will be late to a future rehearsal, (s)he must get pre-approval. Immediately after receiving permission from the Conductor, the student is to send an email to the Conductor and the Orchestra Manager documenting the date and reason for the pre-approved absence or late arrival.
LAST MINUTE ABSENCES
If an emergency arises or a student is ill and unable to attend, the student should contact the Orchestra Manager as soon as possible. If they cannot be reached, the student should call the CYSA Office Phone at (541) 766-4903 and leave a message.
Homework is not an acceptable excused absence!
ATTENDANCE MONITORING
JHS rehearses on Tuesday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Crescent Valley HS orchestra room (B2). Students are expected to be:
When absences are not excused, the Conductor will discuss them with the student. Two or more unexcused absences may be grounds to prevent participation in the final concert. Two unexcused tardies will be considered one unexcused absence.
It is IMPERATIVE that this policy be followed. It is not fair to Conductor or other musicians to have a musician missing or distracting the orchestra when she/he comes in late. JHS is a team activity.
JHS rehearses on Tuesday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Crescent Valley HS orchestra room (B2). Students are expected to be:
- In their seats and ready to tune by 6:50 pm
- Picked up promptly at 8:30 pm
When absences are not excused, the Conductor will discuss them with the student. Two or more unexcused absences may be grounds to prevent participation in the final concert. Two unexcused tardies will be considered one unexcused absence.
It is IMPERATIVE that this policy be followed. It is not fair to Conductor or other musicians to have a musician missing or distracting the orchestra when she/he comes in late. JHS is a team activity.