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 Policy Handbook2018 - 2019 SeasonCayuga Chamber Orchestra Youth Orchestra171 E. State St. Suite 112Ithaca, NY 14850education/youth-orchestra/TABLE OF CONTENTSWelcome ……………………………………… 3 Mission and History ……..……………………. 5Membership ……………………………….….. 6Auditions …………………………………...… 7Rules and Expectations ………………….……. 8Tuition and Financial Aid ………………..…… 10Performance Information ………………...……12Retreat …………………………….……...……13Concerto Competition ……………...…………. 14Supporting ccoYo ……………………..……… 15 Communication …………………..….……..…. 162018-19 Calendar of Events ………..…...……... 18WELCOMEWELCOMEWe are delighted to have you and your family as part of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Youth Orchestra. As a full symphonic orchestra, we give voice to great composers and the masterpieces they penned. Our unique personality as an orchestra is forged by our individual skills, passion and effort. This symphonic orchestra, established in 2017, will be shaped by your participation as we lay the groundwork for our legacy in this community. INTRODUCTIONSccoYo Conductor: Kirsten Marshall is Director of Orchestral programs and a violin faculty member of Ithaca Talent Education, as well as a Lecturer in violin performance at Ithaca College. Ms. Marshall received Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) with majors in violin performance and Suzuki pedagogy. Ms. Marshall also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from Case Western Reserve University, with an emphasis in strings. Her conducting studies were with David Einfeldt (Hartt School of Music), Carl Topilow and Louis Lane (CIM). She is an active violinist in the Ithaca area and is a member (David and Lesli Sagan chair) of the Cayuga Chamber oYo Operations Manager: Kathryn Drake is a graduate student in Suzuki Pedagogy and violin performance at Ithaca College. In addition to her private lesson teaching experience as a faculty member of the Monarch Suzuki Academy and The University of Texas String Project in Austin, Kathryn honed administrative skills by serving as the String Project Musicianship Coordinator and Austin Chamber Music Center Education oYo Advisory Committee Chair: Sarah Cummings has been a devoted violinist of the CCO since 1998 (Howard and Robin Hess Memorial Chair), working on numerous committees and serving as the music librarian for 15 years. She is currently the musicians’ representative on the CCO Board of Directors and is the program coordinator for the Willard Daetsch Youth Outreach Program. Sarah is on the violin faculty at Ithaca Talent Education and is a parent to a ccoYo cellist and oYo Advisory CommitteeResponsible for visioning and implementation of the ccoYo’s mission, this committee meets monthly during the academic year.MEMBERRELATIONSHIP TO CCOYOSarah Cummings, ChairCCO Board Member, Current ParentMarty BryantCCO Board MemberDavid KraskowCCO Board MemberPaul AcostaCCO Board Member, Current ParentJeff SauerFormer ParentAlexa SchmitzCCO Musician Christina MeadCurrent ParentDylan RaceCurrent ParentStudent RepresentativesMISSION AND HISTORYMISSIONThe mission of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Youth Orchestra is to provide a high-quality symphony orchestra experience for youth in Ithaca and the Finger Lakes Region of New York State.HISTORYThe CCO Youth Orchestra was founded in 2017 by Kirsten Marshall and Sarah Cummings as an educational program of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra with the full support of the CCO Board of Directors and Music Director Cornelia Laemmli Orth. An advisory committee of CCO musicians, board members and parents was formed to provide support to the new orchestra.The inaugural season celebrated a symphony orchestra 55 members strong under the baton of conductor Kirsten Marshall. Highlights of the season included two full concerts, a side-by-side with the Cornell Orchestra, and runout concerts in Lansing and Newfield, including a performance of our first concerto competition winner in the June concerts. The 2017-18 season set a precedent for the seasons that would come, and it is a goal of the musicians, conductor, committee and staff to make every season perpetually enriching.MEMBERSHIPQUALIFICATIONSMembership in the CCO Youth Orchestra is extended to all students in the Finger Lakes region playing at a level equivalent to NYSSMA level 5 or 6 who successfully complete the audition process, uphold the ccoYo rules and expectations, and pay membership tuition (scholarships available).BENEFITSIn addition to rehearsing and performing with a full symphony orchestra, members receive many other benefits of membership including sectionals with CCO musiciansspecial rehearsals with CCO music directorovernight weekend retreatconcerto competition exclusively for ccoYo membersphoto and video recordings of each concertcomplimentary student tickets to all CCO concerts (one free ticket per student per performance)T-shirtNOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATIONccoYo is committed to embracing diversity in all of its forms and manifestations. This Youth Orchestra does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, sexuality, or national and ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admission, scholarship, or any administered event. Expressions of bigotry, hatred, oppression, and malice will not be tolerated.AUDITIONSNEW MEMBER AUDITIONSNew member auditions occur in May and are based on availability in the orchestra. Announcements of the audition dates and openings are made public to the community in April and students interested in auditioning can complete an online audition application to reserve an audition time. Auditionees will be notified within the week following auditions of the results. Those who commit to the orchestra after successfully auditioning will not need to audition again as a new member each year.Members are selected by an audition with the Conductor and members of an audition committee composed of CCO musicians. WHAT TO PREPAREBelow are the required elements of a ccoYo audition. Please review the Audition Preparation Guidelines online at here for details regarding each element.PREPARED PIECE. One or two short solo selections which contrast expressive, cantabile playing with fast, technical passagework.SCALES. Specific to each instrument, view details here.SIGHT READING. Students will be presented an unfamiliar orchestral excerpt in the audition room to play at sight.Each audition will take between five and ten minutes. Solo works are performed without accompaniment. The audition committee listens for expressive musicality, tone quality, pulse and rhythm, technical ease and intonation.SEATING AUDITIONSSeating auditions are required for every member in September. These auditions provide our conductor an opportunity to evaluate student progress, plan rehearsals and select repertoire. The schedules for seating auditions are communicated by the Operations Manager each season. The brief audition will include SOLO. Excerpt of a prepared work of the player’s choice.EXCERPTS. Prepared excerpts selected by the Music Director and made available to members in August.RULES AND EXPECTATIONSATTENDANCE POLICYParticipating in the ccoYo necessitates a commitment of effort and time. Members are asked to prioritize concerts (two per season), sectionals (once a semester), and weekly rehearsals (Sundays 7-9pm) for the sake of the entire ensemble. Please report unavoidable absences at the beginning of the season via our absence request form, and emergency absences immediately to the Operations Manager.If multiple absences occur, participation in the upcoming concert is at the discretion of the conductor. INCLEMENT WEATHERIf any event is affected by inclement weather the Operations Manager will communicate the status of rehearsal to all orchestral members and their parents via email. Of course, weather and road conditions fluctuate, so if the roads prove unfit for travel please let the Operations Manager know immediately.SCHOOL PARTICIPATION POLICYccoYo is committed to an alliance with our public and private schools. Toward that end, ccoYo students are required to participate in their school instrumental ensemble where they exist. REHEARSAL GUIDELINESBring all music, instrument with accessories, and a pencil to every rehearsal.Arrive 15 minutes before rehearsal to set up the space, prepare your instrument, and warm upMake rehearsals a priority by honoring the attendance policy (see above)Percussionists are required to assist in the moving, setting up, dismantling and putting away of all percussion equipment for rehearsals and concerts. They must arrive to rehearsal at least 15 minutes early to set up the section and plan to stay until all percussion equipment is put awayAll orchestra members are responsible for participating in both the setup and clean-up of chairs and stands at rehearsals.Respect all member’s desire to participate fully without distraction. Refrain from all inappropriate conversation, cell phone use, and eating or drinking in the rehearsal room.Each ccoYo musician will contribute to providing one rehearsal snack per semester. The sign-up form is posted at the beginning of each semester. Information regarding rehearsals, concerts, special events, and schedule changes is communicated as regularly and clearly as possible. It is the responsibility of each student (and parent if applicable) to note this information and to be aware of important dates and changes. Any questions about the schedule should be directed to our Operations Manager (see Communicating with ccoYo for more information).Tuition and Financial AidTUITIONAn annual tuition of $400 must be paid by paypal or check by the scheduled tuition payment dates below. ccoYo has a no refund policy in regard to tuition. We plan for a student to commit for the entire orchestra year. The full tuition fee will be due and payable for the entire year regardless of the student’s non-attendance at rehearsal or concerts.Confirmation Deposit - $100 - April 1st, 2018 - [RETURNING MEMBERS]Pre-Season Deposit - $100 - May 1st, 2018 [NEW MEMBERS]First Fall Rehearsal - $200 - September 9th, 2018First Spring Rehearsal - $100 - January 6th, 201919-20 Confirmation Deposit - $100 - April 1st, 2019 - [RETURNING MEMBERS]Members have the option of paying the entirety of tuition ($400) in their first payment if they choose.MEMBERSHIP CONFIRMATION AND DEPOSITIn the middle of the spring semester, students will be asked to confirm membership for the next season. That confirmation must be accompanied by a $100 deposit, payable by check or PayPal. New-member auditions will be announced based only on openings. Membership is not guaranteed if students fail to report continuation with ccoYo into the next season FINANCIAL AIDTo ensure cost is not a barrier to participation, ccoYo offers financial aid to students who demonstrate need. If you are in need of financial aid, please complete the financial aid application here. Financial aid applications for the 2018-19 season are due on September 1st. Performance InformationCONCERTSccoYo performs two major concerts per season, as well as two outreach concerts. Concert dates are set well in advance, and the schedule of performance dates are available in this handbook, online, and in the Charms calendar in August before the season begins.Absence from a concert performance puts student participation in CCOYO in jeopardy at the discretion of the Music Director. PARTNERSHIP PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIESEach season ccoYo also plays two run-out concerts in neighboring towns just before our two major concerts. These are unticketed community events which allow members of our surrounding communities, musicians and non-musicians alike, to have access to our music making. The season often includes a side-by-side performance with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra. Special partnership performances will be included in the yearly schedule of concerts.AUDIENCE ETIQUETTEAll performances are video recorded, photographed and made public within two weeks following the concert. Please take advantage of these high quality recording opportunities to keep cell phone, flash photography, and tripod videotaping to a minimum.CONCERT DRESS REQUIREMENTSMembers of the orchestra perform in all black long or ? length sleeves, long pants or ankle-length skirt, black socks or stockings, black dress shoes and a blue accent (a tie or scarf provided by the orchestra). For community concerts students are asked to wear their ccoYo t-shirt and long, casual pants or a skirt.TICKETING INFORMATIONThe winter and season finale concerts are ticketed events, available at to adults for $10 and free for children 18 and under. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the concert by cash, card, or check. All ccoYo students receive two complimentary adult tickets to the winter and season finale concerts which are distributed at the dress rehearsal prior to the concert.RetreatThe ccoYo hosts one overnight retreat in the fall semester of each season. The retreat, which spans from Friday to Sunday, is designed to meet and overcome the musical challenges of the season while also growing and strengthening bonds of friendship within the orchestra. Retreat activities include full orchestra rehearsals, sectional rehearsals with CCO Mentors, recreational activities and time for socializing. Students sleep in cabins and eat together in a large dining hall.Due to the important musical and social functions, attendance is expected of all members.This season the two-night weekend retreat will be held during the weekend of September 28-30 at the Brooktondale Camp and Retreat Center (120 White Church Road, Brooktondale). Further information about the retreat will be shared by email mid-August.Concerto CompetitionIn December of each year, the ccoYo holds a concerto competition for orchestra members only. This year’s competition will be held on Sunday, December 9 at First Congregational Church, Ithaca.Submit the Concerto Competition application (here) with a $25 application fee no later than Friday November 16, 2018 to participate.GUIDELINESCompetition is open to high-school aged members of the ccoYo (grades 9-12 or homeschool equivalent) who have been members of the orchestra for at least one year.A movement of a concerto is to be performed, no more than 12 minutes in length. Audition time slots are 10 minutes long. Due to time constraints, applicants may be interrupted and asked to jump to a different part of the piece, e.g., the cadenza, at the discretion of the judges.Audition piece needs to be pre-approved by the conductor. Email the piece name and details to the operations manager at yomanager@.Students will need to provide a source, online or otherwise, where the full orchestra parts can be found, rented or purchased. If this cannot be provided, a piece may not be approved. Your private music teacher can be a resource to help answer these questions. If a piece incurs rental fees beyond the scope of the ccoYo budget, a student may be asked to help defray rental costs. Audition fee will be $25 to cover the cost of professional musicians as adjudicators. All applicants will audition with piano accompaniment. Performers are responsible for providing their own pianist collaborator.Performers will play for a panel of professional musicians, including CCO membersTwo winners will be selected: One to perform in June 2019, and the other in January 2020.Previous winners are not eligible to compete againSupporting ccoYoThe ccoYo relies on the generous support of students, families, and community members in order to grow and thrive.STUDENT VOLUNTEERINGThe following volunteering opportunities are available to students in the ccoYoServing as a student representative on the ccoYo Advisory CommitteePerforming in a chamber group for various community eventsBeing interviewed at regional runout concertsStarring in mini promotional videosPARENT VOLUNTEERINGThe ccoYo is grateful to parents and families for help in a myriad of ways includingServing as a parent representative on the ccoYo Advisory CommitteeVolunteering for various concert production tasks, including box office, ushering, set-up and clean-up, student monitoring.Providing snack at rehearsals on a rotating basisProviding food at our occasional potluck mealsChaperoning at our fall retreatSharing expertise such as leadership development and team building, legal council, event coordination, video/photography skills, website development, and medical/emergency care. Please let us know what skills you have to offer by completing the parent and student surveys. FINANCIAL GIFTSIn order to enable ccoYo to continue providing the highest level of quality music education to all students, financial support in addition to tuition is always appreciated from all members of the community. As a registered 501(c)(3), donations to the CCO are fully tax deductible, and may be matched through employee matching programsGifts to the ccoYo can be sent to via PayPal, or to the CCO Office Address below. Please write “For the ccoYo” in the subject line.171 E. State St. Suite 112Ithaca, NY 14850COMMUNICATIONAll relevant and timely information from the ccoYo will come through the following methods of communication. We make our best efforts to keep communication as streamlined as possible.EMAILS FROM THE OPERATIONS MANAGERThe Operations Manager will send information via email about rehearsal schedules, upcoming events and important reminders.CHARMSccoYo utilizes Charms Office Assistant software to catalog student information, communicate, provide assessment, house forms and resources, and manage finances. Incoming students will be provided with a school code and a student ID number with which they will log in. Please provide student information into the secure database, and keep it as updated as possible. Our conductor can use the Charms software to send out recording assignments periodically, and will respond to completed assignments with specific notes for improvement. The Charms calendar contains all rehearsal and concert dates. All financial statements and receipts are stored and sent from Charms as well. For user information specific to ccoYo please see our ccoYo Charms User Guide (coming soon).ccoYo WEBSITEOur website contains a wealth of information for families of the ccoYo including our calendar, news, description of programs, audition procedures, this handbook, and other resources. We will post any emergency closure information on the website. Directions to our rehearsal location and staff biographies are also available. education/youth-orchestra/SOCIAL MEDIAccoYo has a presence on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. We use these formats to share important and interesting information which helps to build our own community, keep families informed, and spread the news of our work to the greater community. We encourage parents, extended families, and friends to interact with us on these platforms. A full length concert video will be uploaded to YouTube after each concert. A media release is signed by student and parent at the beginning of each season.STUDENT INFORMATION UPDATESIn addition to keeping their Charms information up-to-date, families should notify ccoYo immediately of any changes to address, phone numbers, or email addresses so our records are accurate. Please forward updated information to our Operations Manager.QUESTIONS AND CONCERNSParents and students are encouraged to ask questions, address concerns, bring forward ideas, or extend compliments. To ensure efficient and effective lines of communication, we recommend proceeding with questions or concerns in the following order:Operations ManagerFor questions or concerns related to orchestra matters of any kind, the first person to turn to is the Operations Manager. They are responsible for all administrative operations and liaise with the board of directors and conductor. The Operations Manager is reachable by email and at every rehearsal and ccoYo event.Kathryn Drake(512) 557- 4191; YOmanager@ConductorOur Conductor makes decisions regarding repertoire, seating assignments, and artistic direction of the orchestra. Email or scheduled appointments are the preferred methods for communication.Kirsten Marshall?kirsten.marshall@Advisory CommitteeIn the rare instance when parents think their concerns have not been appropriately addressed by the Operations Manager or Music Director, parents can express their concerns in writing to the ccoYo Advisory Committee. Sarah Cummingsyouthorchestra@CALENDAR OF EVENTS2018-2019 SEASON DATEEVENTLOCATIONSep 4, 5, & 6Seating AuditionsOpus IthacaSep 9First RehearsalIthaca HSSep 28-30Overnight RetreatBrooktondaleDec 9Concerto CompetitionFirst Congregational ChurchJan 11Community ConcertJan 12Winter ConcertIthaca CollegeMar 16Side by Side with CCOIthaca CollegeJun 7Community ConcertJun 8Season Finale ConcertIthaca College ................
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