Rehearsal Etiquette

During rehearsals, OAYO musicians are expected to...​

• Check in at the welcome table. Failure to check in will result in being counted as tardy, regardless of whether or not you were here on time. 

• Be seated and ready to play at least 5 minutes before the rehearsal start time

• Be prepared, by bringing their instrument, necessary accessories (mute, rockstop, etc.), folder, music, and a #2 pencil with an eraser to every rehearsal and concert. 

• Be respectful and attentive to the conductor and any guest artists present.

• Have all cell phones and other electronic devices turned off or on airplane mode and put away. It is not acceptable to text or use your phone or tablet for any purpose during an OAYO rehearsal or concert. 

• Food, drink (except for water bottles), and gum are prohibited in all rehearsal and concert spaces.

• When taking a break, you are responsible for the safety of your instrument. Do not leave instruments or bows out of their cases if you are not holding them yourself. 

• Rehearsals are open to family members and friends. They are welcome to sit in the back of the rehearsal room or hall, by the doors. We ask that all guests' electronic devices be silenced. The ensemble conductor reserves the right to ask anyone engaging in distracting behavior to leave. 

• Failure to observe rehearsal etiquette will result in the following actions:

  • First warning: the conductor or rehearsal manager will ask the student to discontinue the specific behavior or action. 

  • Second warning: if the conductor or rehearsal manager observes the student violating rehearsal etiquette a second time (either in the same rehearsal or on a different day), the student will be asked to stop the behavior or action AND their parent or guardian will be notified via email and/or phone call. Depending on the violation, a meeting with the student, parent/guardian, and conductor may be required as well.

  • Final warning: if the student is observed violating rehearsal etiquette a third time, the​ student may be removed from OAYO programs without a tuition refund. The student may be allowed to re-audition and join OAYO in the future at the discretion of the conductor, Music Director, and Executive Director. 

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Music ​

OAYO musicians are responsible for their music folders and for all of the music given to them throughout the season. It is the responsibility of each musician to keep the ENTIRE season of music in their folders and bring it to every rehearsal, in case their stand partner is absent. Any markings in music should be made with a #2 pencil only. If music is damaged or lost, please contact programs@oayo.org for a replacement part or ask a rehearsal manager at rehearsal. 

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Seating, Chair Placements, and Rotation

Youth Symphony and Youth Philharmonic 

Near the beginning of each rehearsal cycle, Principal chair auditions will be held for the following: 

• ​   String sections of more than seven members: Principal, Associate Principal, and Assistant Principal

•    String sections with four to six players: Principal and Associate Principal

•    String sections with fewer than four players: Principal only

All other string seats will rotate and are not necessarily based on chair placement performance. 

You must submit principal chair audition videos online by the deadline. These auditions are mandatory! If your video is not submitted by the deadline, you will be pulled out of rehearsal to be recorded. After the principal chairs have been decided, the seating will remain the same until the concert. On rare occasions, seating may be changed prior to a concert at the discretion of the conductor. Winds, brass, and percussion rotate on a consistent basis. 

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Youth Concert Strings

Seating will be rotational for each ensemble. Every student will be assigned a stand partner and each stand will be rotated every rehearsal, with the exception of the first stand. Auditions for the principal stand will take place in October (this will be announced in advance via email and at rehearsal). The principal stand positions will be re-auditioned in January for the spring concert. Any member of YCS is eligible to audition for the principal stand position within their section. Excerpts will be chosen from the music for the upcoming concert and will be made available to musicians at least one month prior to the audition.​

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Filling Vacancies

A musician may be asked by the Music Director to permanently move up into another OAYO orchestra if a seat has been vacated by a member or the Music Director feels that additional players are required in a particular section to achieve the correct balance in that orchestra. The Music Director may also hold auditions for musicians outside the OAYO program to fill a vacancy. At the discretion of the Music Director, students may be asked to play as a guest player in an orchestra other than his/her present one at no cost if an additional part or extra players are needed for a concert. In the case where no OAYO member may fulfill the role, qualified students outside of OAYO could be asked.

All the above are at the discretion of the Music Director and students should meet the required qualifications, such as age and playing ability.

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Behavior and Conduct

OAYO’s supervisor responsibility for student musicians extends only to the scheduled times of all functions. Students are expected to remain in specified areas at all times.  OAYO cannot assume responsibility for students leaving specified areas. 

As OAYO’s musicians are considered young ambassadors to the community, appropriate behavior is expected at all times.  By participating in OAYO, musicians agree to the following rules:

• There will be no distracting communication of any kind (including but not limited to:  hand or facial gestures, note passing, texting, etc.) or disruptive activity at any event, including rehearsals.

• Cell phones and tablets must be turned off and put away during all OAYO rehearsals, sectionals, concerts and events.

• Food, drink (except water), and gum are not allowed in the rehearsal or concert areas.

• Possession or use of any item which might inflict personal injury or property damage is prohibited.

• Foul language will not be tolerated.

• Members are expected to display common courtesy and respect to all OAYO staff, coaches, guest musicians, parent volunteers and to fellow musicians at all times.

• We are guests of our rehearsal and performance venues and must respect the space. We must leave the venue in the same condition as we found it. Students must pick up after themselves. Damage to or destruction of property is prohibited.

• Abusing and/or not taking proper care of the OAYO/ UNO/other venue equipment or music will not be tolerated.

• Bullying will not be tolerated. 

• Unruly behavior can become dangerous and will not be tolerated. Physical or verbal assaults or any act or words that show threat to harm or endanger the safety of others will not be tolerated.

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 Failure to comply with any OAYO regulation will result in disciplinary action at the discretion of any member of the OAYO staff.  Violation of any policy may result in disciplinary action such as expulsion from the OAYO program and forfeiture of any tuition and fees paid. See "Rehearsal Etiquette" for how OAYO handles violations of the behavior policy.  

All OAYO rehearsal and performance venues prohibit smoking on or around the property.  Additionally, the consumption of alcoholic beverages, the purchase, sale or use of drugs or controlled substances is not permitted during any orchestra activity.  At no OAYO-sponsored event will cohabitation be tolerated.  Failure to comply with any of these regulations will result in the automatic expulsion from OAYO and forfeiture of any tuition and fees

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Additional Responsibilities

Preparation & practice
Music is chosen to challenge and educate. Each musician is expected to prepare their music for each week’s rehearsal. In an orchestra, it is essential for every member to know their parts well to play together. If you do not know your parts, the whole orchestra will not play or sound well together.

Private instruction
We encourage all musicians to study with a private teacher and work on their orchestra music with their instructor. OAYO can help direct families to resources available to those with demonstrated financial need. Please contact the OAYO staff for more information.
 

School music programs
It is the policy of the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras’ Board of Directors to strongly encourage students to be enrolled in their school band or orchestra program. OAYO is intended to supplement the individual school music programs, and is not intended to supersede the music education currently being provided in the schools.
There are several reasons to join and/or stay in your school music program. These programs are an excellent place to learn and gain practical experience along with qualifying you for access to:
• All-state groups
• State Solo and Ensemble Festivals
• Many other opportunities and information since the school music programs are often the medium
for announcements and contacting music students
School program may also offer opportunities to:
• Travel, compete and meet new people
• Play principal (first) or solo parts
• Play for musicals
There are many other benefits of participating in your school music program. Playing daily is invaluable to a musician and if you plan on becoming a music major, the experience is vital to your future. You will gain additional recognition, leadership and musical training and exposure to more repertoire. You may be able to receive potential school scholarships and recommendations from music directors for scholarship, college entrance and special events.
You can make a tremendous contribution to these programs by serving as a role model, sharing your talents with others and to repay the start in music that you may have received from your school. The OAYO Music Director expects that you will be a member of your school music program. Your participation in these programs is vital for the entire Omaha area music community.

Instrument insurance
Musicians must insure any instruments, rented or owned. OAYO is not responsible for any damages that occur before, during, or after rehearsals or concerts.

Cello and Bass students

Must provide their own rock-stops for rehearsals and concerts.

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