We are glad to have you as a member of the Birmingham String Orchestra (BSO). We look forward to working with you to enrich your life through music and to help you become a better musician.

About This Handbook
This handbook is a guide that answers many questions you and your family may have concerning your membership in the Birmingham String Orchestra. Please keep this in a safe place and refer to it often. Add all schedules and letters you receive from us and our office to your handbook so you will always have an accurate and up-to-date handbook and list of events.

Please read this handbook carefully and ask your conductor any questions you may have concerning policies or procedures outlined in the handbook. Have a great year in BSO!

BSO Faculty and Staff

Paul Merryman, Conductor, Birmingham String Orchestra

Rita Salzberg, Director, Music Opportunity Program

Jennifer Holcomb, Administrative Assistant, MOP

Please contact Ms. Holcomb, Music Opportunity Program office, 231-9504 or by e-mail at jholcomb@musicop.org

You may contact Mr. Merryman at 919-7682, or by e-mail at pmerryman@musicop.org

Business Matters

All questions concerning attendance, membership fees, instrument rental and payments should be directed to the MOP office,
231-9504.

Membership

Membership in the Birmingham String Orchestra is open to string students who successfully complete the required audition. All returning members are required to reaudition each May to allow faculty to evaluate student progress and orchestra placement.

Especially for Parents

Congratulations! Your child has been selected to represent the Music Opportunity Program in the Birmingham String Orchestra. This is both an honor and an indication of your child’s musicianship. We know you and your child are special and will be treated as such. Feel free to contact us at any time during the year if we can be of assistance.

We will take the orchestra on performance tours during the year. If you wish to volunteer as a "tour Mom or Dad" call Ms. Holcomb in the MOP office.

Please allow us to work with your child in a professional manner. We welcome parents to rehearsals, but unless an emergency should occur, let us attend to your child's needs. During rehearsals or concerts please do not communicate with your child. Children visiting the rehearsal should not disturb the orchestra rehearsal. Also, we encourage you to meet and talk with other orchestra parents. Friendships, fellowship, and even car pools have resulted from such meetings!

Encourage your child to work hard so we can make the best use of our limited rehearsal time with BSO. Thank you for letting us work with your young musician. We hope we can serve you in many ways.

BSO Schedule
All BSO rehearsals will be in the Unitarian Universalist Church,
4300 Hampton Heights Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209.

Rehearsal: Every Monday, 5:30-7:00 p.m. except as noted in the schedule.
Arrive at 5:15 to unpack, tune, and prepare for rehearsal.

Dress

• Rehearsals

Everyday school clothes - casual and comfortable

• Concerts

Girls:
: Black skirts or dress slacks – Skirts must be long enough to cover knees when child is seated
: White, long sleeve blouses with collar
: *Red cummerbund and bow tie
: Black shoes with dressy black or white socks or stockings

Boys:
: Black dress slacks
: White, long sleeve shirts with collar
: *Red cummerbund and bow tie
: Black shoes, black socks

*Purchase through MOP

Instrument Instruction and Practice

Members of the orchestra should be receiving private instrument instruction in addition to their participation in orchestra. The Music Opportunity Program can find a teacher for you. Please call the office at 231-9504. MOP has many excellent teachers who can help students advance their music abilities.

Know Your Music

Orchestra members are expected to learn their music. This requires at home practice for orchestra music. Orchestra rehearsals are not designed to teach you the notes for your part, but rather to teach all students how to play well together as an orchestra. This can only be accomplished if everyone learns individual parts at home. Take your orchestra music to your private lessons. Ask your teacher for help. Being prepared for orchestra rehearsal means being able to play your part.

Tours

The Birmingham String Orchestra performs in schools, libraries, and other locations. The MOP office will send a letter to your school requesting an excused absence for the day. Principals also require written confirmation from the parents.

Conduct during tours is the same as for all rehearsals and concerts. No talking during rehearsal or performance. No talking or running once inside a building. Please pay attention to and follow the requests of the conductor and chaperones. Please listen carefully and be on your best behavior. During school tours many other students will be watching you. Please display a good image for yourself and the orchestra.

No one should wander away from the group - even to visit the restroom - without the prior knowledge and permission of the conductor or chaperones.

Scholarships

Some scholarship funds are available to those families who need financial assistance. To apply for a scholarship please request an application form from the MOP office. The scholarship committee will review the request and inform you directly of their decision.

Orchestra Seating

Orchestra members will be assigned a temporary seat at the beginning of the year. Seating auditions will be held once each semester. Absence from seating auditions will result in a member being placed in the back of the section. There will be no make-up auditions. Seating assignments will be made by the conductor.

Music and Equipment

Members of the orchestra must bring their instruments (including bow, rosin, etc.), music folders, folding music stand, and pencil to every rehearsal. Fold-up music stands will also be needed for at-home practice and school concerts.

Music folders are handed out at the first rehearsal and collected after the last rehearsal or concert. Members are responsible for taking care of music and folders. Lost folders and music are expensive to replace. There will be a charge of $1.00 for each piece of music lost plus $25 for folder. Folders must be turned in at the last concert.

Music should be marked in pencil.
Please bring music and other equipment to rehearsals and concerts.
BE PREPARED!!

Behavior

You are special! You are a member of a talented group of Birmingham's finest young musicians. You were selected to be part of the MOP Youth Orchestra program. The way you present yourselves to the public, both individually and as a group, leaves a lasting impression.

Your cooperation in maintaining the excellent reputation of the Music Opportunity Program is required. You must conduct yourself in a manner that is respectful of campus property and considerate of students and faculty who may be studying or working during the time of our rehearsals.

Behavior during rehearsals and performances should reflect a spirit of respect and cooperation for the conductor and other orchestra members. All orchestra members must observe the following rules of conduct:

>Do not talk during rehearsals or performances

>Pay close attention to the conductor at all times and listen closely to instructions.

>Raise your hand to ask questions.

>Only ask questions relevant to the music.

>Personal matters should be addressed after rehearsal.

The Attendance/Tardy Policy

Attendance is taken at every rehearsal. Members should arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of rehearsal and are expected to be ready to play at the appointed time.

Absences and tardiness interfere with the goal of musical excellence for your orchestra. Please help by being on time and attending every rehearsal, performance, and special activity.

a. Excused Absence/Tardy
Excused absence/tardy will be granted to a member who notifies the conductor in advance (in writing if time permits) of the rehearsal to be missed. A "good cause" reason must be explained. In case of a last minute emergency call the MOP office by 10:00 a.m. the following morning to have absence be considered excused. The accumulation of more than three excused absences will be considered cause to review that individual’s membership in the orchestra.

b. Unexcused Absence
Absence without prior notice will be considered unexcused. More than two unexcused absences from rehearsal may result in the loss of membership. An unexcused absence from a performance may result in the loss of membership.

c. Tardiness
Two tardies will count as one (1) unexcused absence.

d. Concert Attendance
Attendance trophies will be awarded at the final concert of the season. Requirements for attendance trophy:

1. Be present at every BSO rehearsal and concert with no tardies

2. Be present at Alabama Youth Symphony concerts on November 16 and January 25.

Call the MOP office at 231-9504 should a problem arise. After business hours you may leave Mr. Merryman a message, 919-7682.