• You are required to attend all rehearsals AND performances. The success of your division and section depends on your participation. 
  The only exceptions permitted are for illness or for a school music performance.  Like sports, an orchestra is a team.  All members are necessary for the orchestra to be a success.
• You are expected to arrive fifteen minutes before all rehearsals and to respect the need for a timely start.
  
• Your instrument must be tuned and ready to play on the conductor’s downbeat.
  
• More than one unexcused absence will result in suspension until the beginning of the next rehearsal/concert cycle.
  
• Leaving before the end of a rehearsal or arriving late at the beginning of a rehearsal (after tuning) is considered an unexcused absence.
• If you are unable to attend a rehearsal you MUST CONTACT your conductor, your division’s attendance person or the BYSO office BEFORE 3 p.m. the day of the rehearsal.
  

What to Bring to Rehearsal

Each musician must bring the following to every rehearsal:

    Instrument

    Pencil

    All music (pages of each piece taped together)

    A folding music stand (Premiere, Sinfonia and Flute only)

Rehearsal Behaviour

• Be respectful of each other and each other’s instruments.  Remember, if it isn’t yours, DON’T TOUCH IT!!
• No eating and drinking inside the classrooms at any rehearsal site. Any snacks must be eaten outside, and any papers, cans, etc., must be placed in an appropriate waste receptacle.
• Treat the facilities with respect. 
• All rehearsal rooms are left neat and clean when we leave. 
• Before leaving your rehearsal room, help organize chairs, music stands, and other equipment used during the session.
• You must not leave the school grounds until your parents pick you up after the rehearsal.  Respecting this rule is very important! 
• There is a no-tolerance policy for tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, firearms or any other weapons, and/or any type of physical violence or harassment.  If it is not allowed at your school, it is not allowed here.  You will receive immediate suspension for possession of any of the above controlled items.
• All electronic equipment, including but not limited to CD players, cassette players, I-Pods and Game Boys, are not permitted at rehearsals. 
• Cell phones must be turned completely off during rehearsals and concert performances.
• At break times, you are required to remain in the general area of the rehearsal rooms. 
• We may be forced to administer stern discipline, up to and including dismissal from the organization, for violating these rules.

Sheet Music Policy

• You will be issued a folder with sheet music when entering the orchestra.  This folder is updated with new music as the year progresses.  The FIRST folder and the FIRST set of music are covered in the tuition fees. 
• We issue only copies of sheet music to the musicians and keep on hand the original score and parts to cover all instruments. 
• All replacement items (folder or music) will be billed at $1.00 per page or folder.  (Note: This means per page, not per musical piece.)  The librarian will handle all music replacement requests, not the conductors.

Prompt Pickup

• Please meet your parents immediately following each practice.
• Encourage your parents not be late!

Lost or Missing Items

• If you leave something behind at a rehearsal, please contact the school, telling them which room you were in. 
  
• If you leave something behind at a performance, please check with our office.