CKYO membership handbook
The CKYO Membership Handbook provides general information and policies for all students and parents.
General Expectations:
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Audition Feedback: CKYO is not able to provide feedback or comments from auditions. Judges are only placing students in an ensemble based on the presentation in the video or live audition and the performance of the audition components. The judges listening to your auditions are not aware of your past placement or performance in CKYO, your current grade, your private teacher, etc. They are assessing your level of proficiency for the orchestra for which you have prepared an audition and must take into account the number of available seats in each section when assigning players to each section within each ensemble. We are aware that audition outcomes can be disappointing, but hope you understand that results are based on a brief snapshot of what you present in an audition. We encourage you to always work to improve on your instrument and build on your technique and musicianship with each audition opportunity, regardless of the outcome.
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CKYO expects both Students and parents to read the CKYO Weekly Email and check Remind messages each week for rehearsal announcements, assignments, and any important information.
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Bring a PENCIL to every rehearsal (keep one in your folder).
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Students should be in their seat with their instrument, music, music stand, accessories out and ready to begin rehearsal at the rehearsal start time.
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We strongly suggest students are in the building at least five minutes before rehearsal start time and that they use the restroom/get a drink of water/fill a water bottle prior to the start of rehearsal.
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No refreshments other than water is permitted in rehearsal rooms or concert halls.
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Students should be picked up immediately at the end of rehearsals. Staff will not leave any students alone at the end of a rehearsal, however, late pick-ups may incur a fee of $10 for every additional 5 minutes a staff member waits with a student. In case of emergency follow the instructions in REMIND.
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Music in the CKYO folder provided at the first rehearsal is the responsibility of the player. Players must report missing music to their conductor immediately upon rehearsal arrival. It is okay to forget your music from time to time, but ask your conductor for a copy to borrow immediately upon arrival at rehearsal. Conductors should not have to pause rehearsal once it has begun because you do not have your music.
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No electronic devices are permitted during rehearsal except those used for tuning. PHONES must stay in a bag or case and should not be seen at any time by a conductor during rehearsal.
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CELL PHONE POLICY: Cell phone use has gotten to be an increasing distraction so CKYO is instituting this policy moving forward. Students are allowed to bring cell phones to rehearsals, but must adhere to the following rules for their use:
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You may NOT use cell phones or allow them to be visible during rehearsals. As soon as rehearsal begins, your cell phone should be in your case – not on your stand, your chair, or easily accessible.
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You may use your phone with your tuning app before rehearsal begins, but it should be put away as soon as the full ensemble tunes.
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If you are asked to put your phone away during a rehearsal, that is your only warning;
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Every time thereafter a conductor or staff member observes you using your cell phone (including keeping it out on your stand during rehearsal), you will be asked to bring your phone to the front of the rehearsal room and placed in the cellphone box for the remainder of the rehearsal.
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If you are continually being asked to put your phone away at rehearsal or a conductor or staff member notices that you are distracting yourself or other students with your cell phone use, you may dismissed from CKYO.
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Cell phones may be used only during the orchestra break
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If a conductor is working with another section, your cell phone should NOT be used or taken out. You should be observing the other sections rehearsing and listening to the conductor.
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PRIVATE LESSON POLICY: All members of CKYO ensembles must be enrolled in weekly private lessons on their instrument. Students must obtain their private teacher’s signature each semester as certification of their attending regular lessons.
SCHOOL PARTICIPATION POLICY: All middle school and high school aged members are REQUIRED to participate in their school band and/or orchestra program. If a school does not offer an ensemble for the auditioned instrument, we require that your counselor sign certifying such a situation. Home schooling parents are asked to sign as the student's music teacher, certifying that music is a part of their schooling program.
CKYO will coordinate teacher communication in regard to signing off/approving a student's participation in CKYO. CKYO will send emails to school and private teachers listed on a students registration form to ensure compliance with our policies and support of their school and private teachers. In pre-pandemic and post pandemic CKYO season - Students obtained signatures from their school instrumental music teachers each semester of participation in CKYO as a certification of compliance supporting the school and private instrumental teachers and programs.
In making these requirements, CKYO recognizes that a school or private music teacher may refuse to approve a students' participation in CKYO if reasonable efforts have not been met by the student, to work for the betterment of the school or private music program, or to rescind a signature if the student is not living up to the agreement made. CKYO reserves the right to retract membership privileges if the proper teacher/program approval requirements have not been obtained in accordance with the CKYO timetable.
Please note: CKYO makes NO EXCEPTIONS to its school instrumental and private music teacher signature certification requirements. Because the organization serves students from 15 different counties and over 60 schools the policy is broad and is in place to support the public school music programs who work in cooperation with the organization. CKYO recognizes that each school has their own ensemble participation requirements. The teacher confirmation required by CKYO each semester indicates the student for which the teacher is approving is in compliance with school requirements as that school and/or teacher deems acceptable.
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
In continuation of the CKYO membership obligations, WE REQUIRE:
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Payment of CKYO tuition or submission of a CKYO scholarship application in accordance with the CKYO timetable. (Applications are available for need-based scholarships).
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Attendance at ALL rehearsals and performances in accordance with CKYO's attendance policy.
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Comply with Private Lesson Policy and School Participation Policy as detailed above.
All members are expected to:
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Have a positive attitude toward learning
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Cooperate with and be considerate to other members
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Display an attitude of respect toward all CKYO Staff and Volunteers
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Regularly practice and prepare CKYO music
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Consistently improve through private lessons
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Maintain proper care of your instrument
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Take proper care of your CKYO music folder and music
We Strongly Encourage:
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Elementary school members to participate in their school band or orchestra program, where available
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Participation in a summer music camp or workshop
These terms are not intended to create any contractual obligation on behalf of CKYO, but rather as requirements for participation in the organization, which CKYO can determine in its sole discretion. CKYO reserves their right to amend its policies and guidelines at any time.