The Bakersfield Youth Symphony
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2009 – 2010
| Maxim Eshkenazy |
| Conductor |
| Dana Svedberg |
| Manager |
| Executive Committee |
| Regina Pryor, President |
| Karen Blockley, Vice President |
| Julia Haney, Secretary |
| Wendy Sway, Treasurer |
| Helen Hess, Past President |
| Directors-at-Large | Advisory Council |
|
| Norma Sexton, Music Librarian | Doug Davis, CSUB |
|
| Charles Brady | John Farrer, BSO Music Director |
|
| Jean Dodson | Mayor Harvey Hall |
|
| Jeanne Johnson | Eleanor Heiskell |
|
| Marcia Maynard | Dennis Herbst |
|
| Amy McGuire | (Panama-Buena Vista Union School District) |
|
| Randy Miller | Mike Stone |
|
| Carolyn Sherman | (Bakersfield City School District) |
|
| David Swisshelm |
|
|
| Kenward Vaughan |
|
|
Welcome to the Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra! Membership in this group will enrich your musical skills by allowing you to perform great symphonic literature with some of Kern County’s finest young musicians. Your acceptance into the BYSO speaks highly of your musical accomplishments. The Board of Directors is excited to have you become a part of this important component of Bakersfield’s cultural life.
This handbook was designed to acquaint you with the philosophy, policies, rules and expectations of the BYSO. Most of the provisions in this handbook were determined by the official action of the BYSO Board of Directors; all are the product of careful thought and consideration. The BYSO board reserves the right to change any regulation contained in this booklet as is made necessary by situations that may occur during the course of the season.
The objectives of the Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra shall be:
Attendance at every rehearsal and performance is mandatory. The success of the BYSO is dependent upon every member being present at all rehearsals and performances. Please be aware of the following regulations:
You are expected to be on time and ready to play at 5:55 PM on Monday evenings and are required to stay through the entire rehearsal which ends at 8:30 PM unless you are dismissed by the conductor or manager. This includes sectional rehearsals as well as full rehearsals. If specific members are not needed for part of the rehearsal, they will be notified in advance (whenever possible).
For those BYSO members who also play in the Bakersfield Symphony, youth symphony rehearsals are to be attended regardless of Bakersfield Symphony rehearsals scheduled at the same time.
If for a legitimate reason (illness, family emergency or required school activity), you cannot attend a rehearsal you must contact Dana Svedberg immediately at 549-5670.
If you know that you are going to miss a concert, you must submit a letter to the Board of Directors for approval prior to the first rehearsal for that concert.
You are expected to resolve any work-related conflicts with your employer that may arise during the year.
ALL ABSENCES MUST BE EXCUSED ABSENCES (ILLNESS, FAMILY EMERGENCY OR REQUIRED SCHOOL ACTIVITY). AFTER TWO ABSENCES THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL EVALUATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN THE CONCERT AND THE BYSO.
IF YOU ARRIVE FOR A CONCERT DRESSED INAPPROPRIATELY, YOU WILL BE SENT HOME TO CHANGE OR YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY.
Members of the BYSO must maintain a professional attitude. Anything less than exemplary behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. This includes, in part, tardiness, poor attendance, inattention, excessive talking, eating during rehearsals, or general disruptive behavior. Students who have disciplinary problems will be referred to the Board of Directors for parental contact and possible dismissal from the BYSO.
All students must audition in September for membership for the current season. Special auditions may need to be held during the season to fill vacancies should they arise.
Concerto Auditions for the following season are held in the spring. Students can audition on only one instrument, performing the piece they would play with the orchestra. A student chosen to solo with the BYSO one season is not eligible to audition the following year.
Membership in the BYSO is open to students in the 7th grade through the sophomore year of college, unless exceptions have been approved by the conductor.
Members shall be enrolled and in good standing in their school instrumental groups where available.
High school students in the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra are required to participate in the BYSO.
A non-refundable audition fee of $25 is due at the time of application to the BYSO. Upon acceptance into the BYSO, a tuition of $225 is due and payable by check or cash by the first rehearsal. The fee helps pay for the facilities, conductor, manager, music, folders, coaches and other BYSO performance needs. Failure to comply will result in dismissal.
In order to be eligible for college scholarship consideration, BYSO members must meet the following requirements:
At least two years of membership that include one or more years from junior and senior years of high school and/or two years of junior college.
A clean attendance record for rehearsals and concerts. (See Attendance Policy)
Award amounts are determined by the BYSO Board of Directors.
Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra members will be issued music folders and music at the first rehearsal of the season. Members are required to keep their folders and music in good condition. All folders must be turned in the day of the concert.
Parents are strongly encouraged to volunteer for the many tasks necessary to make the BYSO successful.
The Board of Directors appreciates your taking time to read this handbook. We hope that it will be of help to you this year. If you have any questions about this handbook or anything else pertaining to the BYSO, please contact the orchestra manager, Dana Svedberg at 549-5670 or Board President, Regina Pryor at 332-9582.