MEMBER SECTION
 

Rehearsals
Rehearsals take place at U-32 Junior-Senior High School, Gallison Hill Road, Montpelier, with the following exceptions.  Rehearsals will take place at Montpelier High School on: September 26, October 10, November 7, March 13, April 3, and April 10.

Rehearsal times:
Repertory Orchestra 9:00 – 10:00am
Concert Orchestra 9:00 – 10:45am
Senior Orchestra 11:00am – 2:00pm

Fall 2009 Rehearsal Dates:
Saturday, August 29 through Saturday, December 12
Saturday, September 5 - NO REHEARSAL
Saturday, October 24 - NO REHEARSAL
Saturday, November 28 - NO REHEARSAL
Wednesday, December 9 - Concert Orchestra Dress Rehearsal* 5:30-6:30pm
Wednesday, December 9 - Senior Orchestra Dress Rehearsal* 6:45-9pm
Sunday, December 13 - Repertory Orchestra Dress Rehearsal* 1-1:30pm

Spring 2010 Rehearsal Dates:
Saturday, January 9 through Saturday, April 10
Saturday, February 27 - NO REHEARSAL
Thursday, April 8 - Concert Orchestra Dress Rehearsal* 5:30-6:30pm
Thursday, April 8 - Senior Orchestra Dress Rehearsal* 6:45-9pm
Sunday, April 11 - Repertory Orchestra Dress Rehearsal* 1-1:30pm

*Concert dress not required for dress rehearsals
Dress Rehearsals take place at the Barre Opera House

top

Performances
2009-2010 Performances
-  Sunday, December 13 at the Barre Opera House at 2:00pm - end of semester concert for all three orchestras
-  Thursday, December 31 - Senior Orchestra performs at First Night Montpelier, 4pm in City Hall Auditorium
-  Saturday, March 13 - GMYS Waltz Night at Montpelier's City Hall - all three orchestras
-  Sunday, March 28 - Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra Children's Concert featuring the GMYS Senior Orchestra
-  Sunday, April 11 at the Barre Opera House at 2:00pm - end of semester concert for all three orchestras

Concert Dress:
Repertory Orchestra and Concert Orchestra members should wear white tops, black bottoms, black shoes (NO SNEAKERS, please), black socks if wearing pants, and black bow ties for boys.  

Senior Orchestra Members should wear black tops, black bottoms, black shoes, and black socks if wearing pants.

top

Policies
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend all rehearsals.  In order to make an orchestra work it simply requires all musicians to be there.  It is important to be in your seat ten minutes early so you can be warmed up when the rehearsal starts.  We will allow three unexcused absences, but anyone missing more than that must talk to their conductor and gain permission first or they may lose their privilege to play in the concert.  Please note that two late arrivals equal one unexcused absence.  Excused absences include bad weather, music festivals, and college testing conflicts.  The conductor will have the final decision about student participation in concerts.  We’re sorry to be so tough on this, but without consistent attendance, it is almost impossible to make an orchestra work.  Each player is important!  If you plan on missing or being late for a rehearsal please email or call your conductor in advance to let him know.  For those with sports conflicts, please talk to the conductor and make special arrangements.   Though we don’t want kids to have to choose between sports and music, it is our expectation that players will split the difference with their sports team.

Behavior Expectations:
Reasonable standards of behavior are expected while rehearsing, performing, or participating in any event in connection with the Green Mountain Youth Symphony.  Please demonstrate appropriate, respectful behavior toward GMYS staff, fellow orchestra members, and at all performance and rehearsal venues.   

Specifically, please adhere to U-32’s rules for building use, which include but are not limited to the following:

• Alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use is prohibited.
• All trash must be picked up and disposed of properly.
• No vehicles may be parked or driven behind the school – cars must be parked in the main lot.
• Chairs, tables, and other moveable equipment must be left/returned to original place.
• Access to the main school facility is denied unless specifically arranged.

Failure to follow these rules may result in immediate suspension of building/facility use. 

Discipline:

The conductor of each orchestra sets expectations for rehearsal and concert behavior.  Failure to abide by the requirements will result in the following steps:

1.      The conductor speaks to the student and parents concerning the problem. 

2.      If the problem persists, the conductor and music director may decide to expel the student from the orchestra.  (Tuition is non-refundable.)
 

Performance Expectations:
Orchestra members are expected to practice their instruments and parts, and to work to performance level. Please speak with your conductor if you are having any difficulties with the music.  They are there to help!  In addition, we encourage all students to study privately with an instructor proficient on his/her chosen instrument.  GMYS provides a directory of local private music teachers. 

Concert Etiquette:
GMYS members and their families are expected to remain for the entire concert to support their fellow musicians (concerts generally last approximately 2 ½ hours).  If this is impossible for the youngest musicians and their even younger siblings due to the length of the program, please stay to hear the group that follows yours on the program.  This means Repertory Orchestra musicians should stay through the performance of the Concert Orchestra, and Concert Orchestra musicians should stay through the Senior Orchestra performance unless it is absolutely necessary to leave after the first half of it.  While in the audience, please do not talk, change seats, walk around in the theater, or leave in the middle of a performance.  All of our students work extremely hard throughout the semester and deserve our complete and respectful attention when they are performing.  Thank you.

School Music Programs:

Communications:
Announcements, rehearsal changes, and concert information will be distributed by email and updated on our website.  If you do not have email, please let Sarah Madru know so we can reach you by telephone in the event of a rehearsal cancellation. 

Weather Cancellations:
In case of bad weather we will send emails to all families as well as put announcements on WDEV and WNCS as well as on our website.  It is families' responsibility to check these resources for cancellations.  If in doubt, call Sarah Madru at 454-0188.  Sarah will call the short list of families without emails.  If you don’t have email or internet access, listen to the radio.

Tuition:

Families with multiple students are eligible to receive a discount of 5% for the second child and 10% for the third and all subsequent children.

Tuition must be paid in full by the first rehearsal of each semester, unless other arrangements are made in advance.  If the tuition is unpaid, members may not participate.  You may also make arrangements to pay tuition in 2 installments by contacting Sarah Madru at 454-0188 or by email at sarah@gmys-vt.org. 

Please make checks payable to the Green Mountain Youth Symphony and send to GMYS at P.O. Box 384, Montpelier, VT 05601-0384. Or bring with you to rehearsal.

Scholarships:
Scholarships are available, and are granted on the basis of income and family size. To apply for a scholarship, families must complete an application form and return it to the GMYS along with a copy of their 2008 Federal Income Tax returns. For those who qualify for assistance, a scholarship will be offered to cover a portion of the cost of tuition. 

The Green Mountain Swing Scholarship Fund:
Green Mountain Swing, a Central Vermont jazz band, in memory of its longtime director Shep Resnik, is offering scholarships to current GMYS wind, brass, and percussion players to supplement private lesson fees.  GMYS will award three scholarships in the amount of $200 for the year on the basis of financial need and conductor recommendations.

Students must meet the following criteria in order to be considered for one of the scholarships made possible by Vermont Violins and Green Mountain Swing:

• Current orchestra participant 

• Demonstrated financial need

• Intends to continue playing with the orchestra for the full year

• Has received a recommendation from his/her GMYS conductor 

• Will use the scholarship only for private lessons with an instructor proficient on his/her chosen instrument

Paul Perley Cellos Repertory Orchestra Scholarship:
Paul Perley Cellos is owned and operated by Paul & Melissa Perley of Berlin.  As cellists, music teachers and business people, Melissa and Paul have had a long time interest in music education and orchestra opportunities for the youth of our community.

top

RESOURCES

Private Instruction

Instrument sales / rental / repairs

Ellis Music Company

Gregoire's Violin Shop

MusiCraft

Paul Perley Cellos

Vermont Brass

Vermont Music Instrument Repair

Vermont Violins

Web links

Green Mountain Swing

Northeast Fiddler Association

Lamoille County Players

Vermont Fiddle Orchestra

Vermont Youth Orchestra

Woodbury Strings / Sap Run Fiddlers

top