Eligibility

All students, in the sixth grade or higher, who are members of the Eugene Youth Symphony, the Eugene Junior Orchestra, the Little Symphony or String Academy 2, are required to play the instruments they play in the Arts Umbrella ensemble in their respective public school or state-accredited private school band or orchestra. This requirement was created to maintain a cooperative and supportive relationship between the public and state-accredited private school music programs and Arts Umbrella. Individual situations will be reviewed by the Eligibility Committee of the Board of Directors. Eligibility forms will be completed at time of audition.

Musician Responsibilities

Productive rehearsals and concerts require each and every player’s attendance and full participation. We believe that the difference between a good performance and a great one lies in the commitment of every single member to attendance, preparedness, and excellence. All musicians are required to do the following:

Arrive at least 10 minutes before rehearsal begins, instrument ready, music in place, and ready to begin.
Bring all music and a pencil to rehearsals.
Practice orchestra repertoire regularly and come well prepared to rehearsals.
Make concerts, rehearsals and scheduled sectionals a priority by honoring the attendance policy.
Each musician will conduct themselves in a cooperative and respectful manner towards others and the rehearsal and concert facilities. If not done so, consequences will occur.
It is the responsibility of Arts Umbrella to make available all information about rehearsals, concerts, special events and changes. It is the responsibility of the parent and/or student to obtain this information and to be aware of any changes.
Participation in private lessons is encouraged.
Members must abide by all orchestra policies, including attendance and concert dress.
Students will be picked up promptly at the conclusion of rehearsals.

Financial Information

Participation Fees:

Youth Symphony: $420
Junior Orchestra:$420
Little Symphony: $390
String Academy 2: $300

Scholarships:

Participation Fee Request for Assistance: Need based scholarships for partial assistance with participation fees are available. A family's financial status should not eliminate any student from participation in any of the orchestras.
Lesson Scholarships: Arts Umbrella encourages each member of the orchestras to take private music lessons. Scholarships are available to assist those who otherwise would not be able to afford private lessons.
Lurene Eliason Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded to members of the Junior Orchestra for summer music education programs. These members must be planning on using the knowledge gained from the summer experience in a Eugene Youth Symphonies orchestra the following year.

Awards

Youth Symphony Awards
The Rose Award is presented to an outstanding senior member of the orchestra and is voted on by the Youth Symphony members. The Horton Award is presented to an outstanding senior musician as determined by the conductor. The Conductor's Award is given to a hard-working, dedicated student as determined by the conductor.
Junior Orchestra Award:
Lurene Eliason Award: Recognizes outstanding musicianship and leadership in the Junior Orchestra.
Little Symphony Award:
Conductor’s Choice Award: Musician(s) selected by the conductor for outstanding musicianship, attendance and leadership.

Attendance Policy

Arts Umbrella Orchestra Attendance Line: (541) 505-2744

All musicians must call the attendance phone number listed above and leave the requested information to notify registrars of excused absences as soon as possible. Every orchestra member is expected to be at all rehearsals and concerts, prompt and prepared. This is essential for the success of the musician and the ensemble.

Attendance policies for the Arts Umbrella orchestras are:

Excused absences - Personal illness and family emergencies are the only qualifications for an excused absence.
Absence Request Form - Unless the absence is caused by personal illness or family emergency, the Absence Request Form will be used to request a musician’s first unexcused absence. Musicians need to inform their conductor at least 10 days prior to an absence using the Absence Request Form (parent signature required).
Unexcused absences - Only one unexcused absence will be allowed per concert set. A Concert Set is the set of rehearsals required to prepare music for a single concert and will be clearly indicated on the rehearsal schedule. After the first unexcused absence, musicians will be informed in writing about their status. Following the second unexcused absence, musicians will be dropped from the orchestra. Further, your conductor may ask you not to play in the concert if you miss one or both of the rehearsals immediately preceding a concert.
Tardies - three unexcused tardies per Concert Set will be considered as an unexcused absence. Your conductor will determine if a tardy is unexcused. If no explanation is given during the rehearsal/concert where the tardy occurs, thetardy will be considered unexcused.
Rehearsal schedule - A complete rehearsal/concert schedule will be made available to all musicians with their registration packets.
All musicians must call the attendance phone number listed below and leave the requested informaiton to notify registrars of excused absences as soon as possible

Arts Umbrella Orchestra Attendance Line: 541-505-2744

Because students frequently share music with other musicians, it is the responsibility of each musician to see that his/her music and folder are at all rehearsals and concerts if an absence occurs.

What a Concert Night Brings

Concert nights are both a special occasion for all and a night full of nerves for the performers, especially the younger ones. The audience can help the performers perform better. Here are some notes to help you with what to expect on these sometimes hurried evenings.

The students arrive at the time requested by their conductors (1-1½ hour) before the concert in the proper concert dress with music and instrument in hand.
Students report to the warm-up room to take out their instruments and tune. They then leave their cases and go to the stage to rehearse when appropriate.
Parents are asked to wait in the lobby while the orchestras warm up. This gives the orchestra members time to focus on the rehearsal, get used to the stage, perhaps get rid of their concert jitters, and take orchestra photos on occasion.
Audience please arrive at least 15 minutes before the concert time. Those in the audience who arrive after the first piece has begun will be seated after the completion of that piece.
If an audience member needs to leave during the perfor mance, please exit between pieces if at all possible. This is least distracting to both the orchestra and audience.
If there is a need to exit during a piece, please leave quietly and catch the door behind you. Then re-enter between pieces when you hear applause.
Following intermission return promptly to your seat before the performance resumes.
DVD recordings may be purchased the night of the performance.
Following the performance please enjoy refreshments at the reception for the musicians and their guests. Congratulate all those fine musicians on a job well done.

The Basic Rule is:
Don't do anything that makes people notice you instead of the performers. Be courteous. Use good judgement. Use the restroom before the concert.