Home

Roster

About CVYS

Contact Us

Conductor

Staff

Auditions

Calendar

Forms

Performances

CVYS Handbook

Board of Directors

Links

Introduction – The mission of the Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra is to provide a unique opportunity for area youth to develop and showcase their artistry in the symphonic tradition and to enhance their lives and the cultural environment of the communities they live in.

CVYS Participation - participation is based on musical ability as well as the specific needs of the orchestra for the season. Students in 7th grade- 12th grade who play an orchestral instrument may audition. Everyone must audition once a year, regardless of previous participation.

Auditions - The Music Director and the Board would like to offer this enrichment opportunity to all interested students, but to create musical balance there are limited numbers of musicians in each section. One of the goals within the next year or two will be to work to create a second orchestra for less experienced players. If a student does not make it in the CVYS one season, they are encouraged to continue to develop their skill and musicianship and consider auditioning for another season.

All students will be asked to auditon once per year. The audition will help the Music Director to understand each suden't playing ability. The audition will be held at UWEC.

The Youth Symphony Orchestra is a full orchestra comprised of young musicians in 7th-12th grade that demonstrate an ability to perform at an advanced level. Students will enjoy the enrichment and challenge of performing with other serious and dedicated musicians. The Music Director will be selecting musicians to create a full and balanced orchestra. Selection is based on ability and need. If students don't make it into the CVYS one season, they are are encouraged to take lessons and develop their skills and consider auditioning in the future. The Music Director's placement decisions are final.

Auditions schedule:
Saturday, April 26 9am-3pm - HAAS Fine Arts center - UWEC
Saturday, May 17 9am-3pm - HAAS Fine Arts center - UWEC

To schedule an audition, you need to fill out the registration form online and hit the submit button. It’s that easy, no need to mail anything in. Audition times will be sent by email or postcard if no email available. Click here to register for an audition time!

Notification of Orchestra Roster –The orchestra roster will be posted on the website prior to the first rehearsal. We will send out postcards to all who audition, to let them know of the results.

School Participation Policy - The CVYS is fully committed to supporting the arts in our schools. School music programs contribute greatly to the success of this enrichment experience. All members of the CVYS are required to participate in their school orchestra or band when these programs are offered. The Youth Symphony should never be used as a replacement for participation in a school music program.

The Youth Symphony is a volunteer run organization. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a strong community partner and provides in-kind rehearsal and concert space for our use. The Chippewa Valley Symphony, another community partner, works closely with the director to nurture artistic opportunities.

It is the belief of the Board of Directors that the opportunity to participate in the Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra program (CVYS) requires a serious commitment on the part of its musicians and their families.

The Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony accepts applicants based on their musical ability, without regard to sex, race, religion, disability or national origin.

All CVYS musicians are asked to read this handbook and abide by all its policies. Parents or guardians are asked to ensure their child reads and understands the expectations of the organization.

Program Fees* - There is a minimal fee for each semester the student participates in the Youth Symphony. *Program fees for the current semester are due at the mandatory meeting. Music will not be given to a student until they have paid their fee or submitted a financial scholarship application. Students can pay for one semester or for the complete year.
Fees for Fall, 2008 - $75
Fees for Spring, 2009 - $75
Make checks out to: CVYS

Program fees are nonrefundable. This is an all-inclusive fee that supports the costs of: conductor, music, folders, postage, UWEC student section leaders, etc.

Financial Assistance
No student will be excluded from the CVYS program due to financial need. Financial assistance is available to students as needed. This information will be kept confidential.

Students requesting financial assistance are asked to indicate that on their registration form. This informationw illbe kept confidential.

Communication - The CVYS Board is committed to timely and regular communication with the musicians and parents.
Each semester there will be a mandatory meeting of students and a parent.
First Semester parent/musician meeting: Tuesday, September 9, 6-7:30pm in the auditorium
Second Semester meeting: Tuesday, January 20, 6pm in the auditorium

Music Policy - Each CVYS musician will be assigned a music folder at the beginning of the semester with all the music to be played for that semester. Every player is responsible for his/her own folder and the music issued. Any lost or damaged music will need to be replaced and the cost will be charged to the student’s family. It is the musician’s responsibility to be sure that all the music is returned at the end of a semester.

Please use ONLY PENCIL to write on your piece. No pens, highlighters or markers are to be used!

If a member loses any or all of their music, CVYS will charge $1/page (for copied parts) and $5 (for original parts).

A musician who has failed to return music or pay replacement costs will not be permitted to participate in orchestra activities until he/she has arranged for replacement of the music.

Music is entrusted to each musician and should be handled with great care. Non-musical marking of music is unacceptable. All folders of music will be turned in at the end of the semester after the concert. A musician not performing in the concert is expected to return their music and folder before the concert. All music, including copies or original parts must be turned in. CVYS does not assume responsibility for any personal items left in music folders.

If you need to borrow additional music during a rehearsal, you need to ask the section leader or the director for those copies and then return them at the end of the practice session.

Attendance
Concerts - The students work hard to prepare for the concerts scheduled. To ensure the highest quality performances, participation in the concerts is mandatory for all students.
Rehearsals – There are fewer rehearsals scheduled this year prior to concerts so it is critical that students attend all rehearsals. We do understand that school music events come first, however, they do count as an absence.

Any member missing the Dress Rehearsal (the last full rehearsal prior to each concert), will not be allowed to participate in the concert; please notify the Director ahead of time.

With limited rehearsals before each concert excessive absences are unacceptable. (more than one), participation in the upcoming concert is at the conductor’s discretion. The lack of preparation with the group is the concern as well as your preparation for the concert.

All absences need to be submitted electronically through the website: www.cvyouthsymphony.org, go to Forms, go to Forms and select "Report and Absence form." This needs to be sent in one week prior to the absence.

Personal illness and/or family emergency – Absence must be submitted per the website before the rehearsal if possible.

If you are unable to play your instrument for any reason, you are still expected to attend rehearsal, take notes and stay “in tune” with what is going on in your section.

Please go to “Calendars” on the home page for the Rehearsal and concert schedule. Please refer to this schedule often and mark the rehearsal days on your calendar.

Being Prompt - Please be seated and mormed up by 6am.

Members are asked use the absence form on the website as soon as they know they will be tardy or have to leave early. (under Forms, Absence)

Sign In sheet - Section leaders will be taking attendance at each rehearsal. Tardiness is disruptive to the rehearsal. Please arrive 15 minutes early to tune and warm up and be in your seat at the beginning of rehearsal.

What to Bring to Rehearsals:

Use of Rehearsal Facilities:

Conduct:

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS ARE PROHIBITED BY CVYS AND WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL. ALLL MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN WITHIN THE BUILDING GROUNDS DURING REHEARSALS AND BREAKS.

Performances - There will be four different concerts and schelduled performances in the 2008-09 season. Please go to the main page and click on Calendars, performances for the schedule. Please put them on your calendar!

There will be a Dress Rehearsal practice scheduled before the concert. All students are expected to attend this practice.

Concert Dress
Boys - black pants, white shirt, tie
Girls - black skirt/dress/pants, white shirt/blouse

CVYS Shirts - Youth Symphony musicians are expected to purchase a CVYS Shirt when Logowear is made avalable. These shirts are worn for any Mall concerts, school tours, etc. Please wear the Shirt with dark pants.

Parent Participation/Volunteers - The CVYS relies completely on volunteers. We ask all parents to commit to some form of volunteering with the Youth Symphony each semester. We need people willing to serve on the board, assist with student activities, usher, help with our receptions, assist with registration and many more things! There is a job for everyone!
Please refer to the volunteer sign up form and submit online!