MSYO Attendance Policy
Consistent attendance at rehearsals is essential to performance quality, educational value, morale of ensemble and retention of membership. MSYO members are expected to be fully committed and come prepared to every rehearsal throughout the season.
COVID-19 Addendum
Exceptions to our attendance policy will be made in the case of students refraining from attending in-person rehearsals or concerts because they present any symptoms of Covid-19 or because they have had known contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. Students are still expected to submit an absence form in either of these cases.
In order to be counted as present during an in-person rehearsal, students must be in their seat with their instrument, warmed up and ready to play by 5:30pm. Absences must be reported in advance via the absence form on our website.
Rehearsal Absences
Members are allowed ONE excused rehearsal absence per concert set. Additional absences may affect seating, concert participation and/or membership in the organization. The Wednesday rehearsal before each concert is mandatory and absences will not be excused on this day. If a student is absent the Wednesday before a concert, at the discretion of the conductor, a student may be asked to sit out for the concert. Exceptions to this policy may be made at the conductor’s discretion.
An online absence notification form must be submited a minimum of 24 hours in advance of a rehearsal absence or if a student nees to arrive late/leave rehearsal eary.
Dress Rehearsal/Concert Absences
Members are expected to attend ALL dress rehearsals and concerts throughout the MSYO season. If there is a conflict and a student is unable to attend a dress rehearsal or concert, they must notify the MSOA Office by emailing svershay@modestosymphony.org by the first rehearsal of the concert set. At the discretion of the conductor, a student may be asked to sit out for a set if they are unable to attend the concert.
Punctuality
The success of each MSYO member—and of all members—begins with allowing adequate time for warm-up. Members are expected to be ready for the concertmaster to tune the ensemble prior to the rehearsal start time and are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes before the downbeat of each rehearsal. Rehearsals start promptly; rehearsal time is valuable and tardiness will be considered a violation of the attendance policy and may result in probation and/or dismissal from the organization. Tardiness is included in attendance records, and being tardy or leaving a rehearsal early three times will count as a rehearsal absence.