ATTENDANCE POLICY
Members are expected to attend all rehearsals and concerts. Attendance is taken at each rehearsal and members are expected to be in their seats 10 minutes prior to rehearsal starting time to warm up and tune.

Illness, family emergencies, and out-of-town trips are unavoidable realities. Members anticipating an absence or tardiness must notify the General Manager at least one week in advance. Short notices can be made by calling the YOCA office at (434) 974-7776. If a member misses more than two rehearsals for that concert cycle, they may be asked not to play in the remaining rehearsals and concert. Tardiness or leaving rehearsal early is counted as ½ an absence. Attendance is required at the final two rehearsals before a concert in order to participate in the concert, barring any last minute date/time changes made by the manager.

Weather-related cancellations of rehearsals are determined by the school/school system in which the rehearsal is held. If the school/school system has closed the school or closed early that day, rehearsal will be cancelled. Evans Orchestra rehearses in a Charlottesville City School; Youth Orchestra rehearses in an Albemarle County School; Junior Strings rehearse at St. Anne's-Belfield School (private); Junior and Senior Flute Choirs, Saxophone Orchestra, and Clarinet Ensemble rehearse at Covenant Lower School (private). All cancellations will be on the YOCA message line at (434) 974-7776.

REHEARSAL FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
All orchestras and ensembles are guests in the school in which the rehearsal is held. Instruments and equipment stored in the rehearsal rooms are off-limits. Members are NOT allowed to wander hallways and enter classrooms. Any damage to equipment or facilities caused by a member is the responsibility of the member and his or her family. Food and beverages are not allowed in the school. All schools are smoke free environments.

MUSIC
Members should take care to keep music in good condition. All music must be returned immediately following the last performance of a work. Members will be charged $5 for the replacement of EACH piece of lost or damaged music. This includes music that is marked in pen, or heavy pencil that is difficult to replace. Music may be marked LIGHTLY in pencil only. The replacement cost for lost or damaged music folders will be $15. This rule will be strictly enforced. Orchestra folders are due in at the end of the season or a replacement charge of $15 will be assessed. String players who are ill or expect to be tardy should make sure their stand partner has the necessary music on the night of a rehearsal.

CONCERT DRESS
Men in Youth Orchestra are required to wear dark blue, dark gray or preferably black jackets and slacks, white shirts and long dark-colored ties. Bass players are not required to wear jackets. No sneakers.

Men in Evans orchestra are asked to wear dark blue, dark gray or preferably black slacks, white shirts and long dark-colored ties. No sneakers.

Women in the Youth Orchestra and Senior Flute Choir are required to wear long black dresses with long sleeves (or ¾ length sleeves) or long-sleeved black blouses with long black skirts or wide-legged dress pants. No sleeveless or strap dresses or tops. Dark shoes - no sneakers or sandals. Flute Choir Members: If you are wearing a blouse, MAKE SURE it is long enough (i.e., no bare midriffs while playing).

Women in the Evans Orchestra and Junior Flute Choir should wear long-sleeved white blouses and long dark skirts or wide-legged dress slacks. No sneakers.

Members of Junior Strings will be notified of concert dress, which will be some variation of the above-mentioned attire.

RETURNING MEMBERS
Returning string players who are currently members in good standing in an orchestra and who wish to return to their current orchestra for the next concert season can do so. You must notify the general manager and a $50 deposit is required to hold your chair before the spring auditions take place for new members. String players who wish to move up to a more advanced orchestra must audition for that ensemble. All woodwind, brass, and percussion players must re-audition for the next season, whether or not they wish to continue on in a particular orchestra/ensemble or move up to a more advanced group.


The Youth Orchestras of Charlottesville-Albemarle is a private, non-profit organization, governed by a Board of Directors, and funded by community contributions, membership fees, ticket sales and grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and other foundations. The Orchestra does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color or national origin in any of its educational, placement or scholarship programs.