PARTICIPATION IN CONCERTS AND EVENTS

Ø Orchestra is an academic class for which students receive a grade that is calculated into their GPA. Please make Orchestra your priority over clubs and non-graded activities.

Ø HONORS students must participate in ALL events.

Ø The Superintendent’s policy states that with four weeks notice, a performing event can be required.

Ø Musicians learn that the exact starting and ending times of concert can, on occasion, change due to unforeseen, uncontrollable circumstances (ex. equipment failures, traffic, etc.) Please plan so that you have plenty of time to get to other events you may have scheduled for these days.

Ø Arriving late/leaving early, improper dress/behavior/equipment will result in loss of points and possibly the loss of the right to perform on that particular evening.

Ø COMMAND PERFORMANCES: When the orchestra is asked by the school administration to perform during the school day, all orchestra students are expected to participate for the entire duration of the event. You are automatically excused from your other classes.

Ø When short notice is given, this is because a very special opportunity has arisen which the teacher deems extremely valuable for the orchestra students' development as musicians and citizens. Ex. 2001’s Virginia Teacher of the Year ceremony and banquet at the Virginia Museum. Rather than turn down these opportunities, we will participate in those deemed educationally valuable by the conductor. Please make every effort to participate in such events.

NON-PARTICIPATION at ANY event:

ü PLEASE NOTE: As per all the other JRHS performing arts groups, dental appointments and other non-emergency events are not excused, including jobs, SAT prep classes, Youth Symphony auditions, private music lessons, camping trips, etc.

ü When you have several months notice, the expectation is that you will not purposely schedule things that conflict with your commitment to Orchestra. This will allow our ensemble to gain the same respect and regard as other groups within the school community.

ü “I forgot” is not a valid excuse. All events are posted at least 4 weeks in advance—for the spring events we have several months notice. For our major concert events, we have almost one YEAR’s notice. All events are posted on the website, on the “Green Monster” [a green poster] in the Orchestra classroom, they are discussed in class, and reminders are occasionally mailed home as a courtesy.

ü VALID EXCUSES INCLUDE: Real illness; Participation in a once in a lifetime sort of event (ex. Olympic trials, Granddad’s 90th birthday party); dire personal circumstances—family illness, funerals

ü Non-participation is excused ONLY with a note from a parent—unless there is illness or severe car trouble/traffic, notes must come BEFORE the event. Oral excuses are not accepted. The excuse must be in writing. If a note arrives the day of the activity, the activity will not be excused in full—points will be deducted.

ü A make-up assignment equal in importance and effort to the missed concert date will be assigned at the teacher's discretion. Students will not be asked or reminded to do make-ups.

ü If concerts/assignments are not made up, the grade will be entered as “incomplete.” Incompletes are converted to “Fs” by the school computer.

ü If a student misses more than two performances or rehearsals, that student may be excluded from the performing "mission" of the orchestra. (Obviously, real illness and other difficulties will be weighed in this decision).