Parents and guardians are expected to:

• Ensure that students arrive on time, prepared, and with all required materials.

• Encourage consistent home practice.

• Review orchestra announcements, schedules, emails, and policy updates.

• Communicate respectfully with staff, volunteers, students, and other families.

• Notify administration promptly regarding absences, emergencies, payment concerns, or other circumstances affecting participation.

• Address concerns directly with orchestra administration rather than discussing conflicts publicly or in front of students.

• Support the musical and behavioral standards of the orchestra.

Parents are not expected to be music teachers at home. Encouragement, consistency, and a positive attitude are the most valuable forms of support.

Tuition reserves a student’s place in the orchestra and supports rehearsal space, music, staffing, instruction, administration, performances, and program materials.

Tuition rates and payment schedules are published annually and are incorporated into the Tuition Agreement signed during registration

Tuition is due according to the established payment schedule, regardless of the number of rehearsals held in a particular month. Monthly tuition reflects the overall seasonal program and is not calculated on a per-rehearsal basis.

Scheduled holidays, concert weeks, school breaks, or calendar variations do not automatically reduce monthly tuition.

Families experiencing temporary financial hardship are encouraged to contact administration before the payment becomes overdue. Payment arrangements may be considered at the organization’s discretion.

Unless otherwise stated in writing:

• Tuition is nonrefundable once the payment period has begun.

• Missed rehearsals do not qualify for a refund or tuition credit.

• A student’s account must remain current to continue participating.

• Outstanding balances may result in suspension from rehearsals, performances, or future enrollment.

• Tuition obligations continue until written notice of withdrawal is received at least a week before payment is due.

Any registration fees, uniform costs, replacement music charges, or other special expenses may be billed separately.

Regular attendance is essential to the success of the Tehachapi Youth Symphony (TYS). Every musician plays an important role, and absences affect the entire ensemble.

Students are expected to:

• Attend rehearsals and performances on time and prepared.
• Bring their instrument, music, pencil, and any required materials.
• Practice assigned music before each rehearsal.
• Notify the Music Director as soon as possible if they will be absent.

Excused absences include illness, family emergencies, school activities, religious observances, or other approved circumstances. Students who have fever, vomiting, or contagious illness should remain home until they are well enough to participate.

Repeated unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, or leaving rehearsals early without approval may affect seating assignments, performance eligibility, or continued participation in TYS.

Our goal is to foster responsibility, teamwork, and respect while helping every student succeed.

Students are expected to contribute to a safe, respectful, focused, and encouraging rehearsal environment.

Students must:

• Treat conductors, staff, volunteers, fellow musicians, and facilities with respect.
• Follow instructions promptly.
• Remain attentive during rehearsals.
• Refrain from unnecessary talking while the conductor or staff member is speaking.
• Use instruments, music, equipment, and rehearsal spaces responsibly.
• Keep hands, feet, objects, and instruments to themselves.
• Use appropriate and respectful language.
• Support fellow musicians rather than mocking, excluding, or discouraging them.
• Avoid behavior that disrupts rehearsal or prevents others from learning

Bullying, harassment, threats, intimidation, fighting, repeated defiance, deliberate property damage, discriminatory conduct, or dangerous behavior will not be tolerated.

Behavior concerns will normally be addressed progressively through:

1. Verbal redirection
2. A private conversation with the student
3. Parent or guardian communication
4. A written behavior plan or meeting
5. Temporary removal from rehearsal or performance
6. Suspension or dismissal from the orchestra

Serious misconduct may result in immediate removal or dismissal without using every progressive step.

Concerts are a required part of orchestra participation. Every musician contributes to the balance, sound, and success of the ensemble.

Students are expected to:

• Attend all scheduled concerts and mandatory dress rehearsals.
• Arrive by the announced call time.
• Bring their instrument, music, accessories, and any required equipment.
• Remain for the full event unless prior approval has been granted.
• Follow backstage, warm-up, and performance instructions.
• Maintain professional behavior before, during, and after the concert.
• Refrain from unnecessary phone use during rehearsals, warm-ups, and performances.
• Help maintain a calm and respectful concert environment.

Families should notify administration as soon as possible if a student has an unavoidable conflict. Missing a required concert or dress rehearsal may affect seating, part assignments, future performance eligibility, or continued participation.

Illness, family emergencies, religious observances, and serious school obligations will be considered individually.

Consistent practice is one of the most important factors in a student’s musical growth. At Tehachapi Youth Symphony (TYS), students are encouraged to treat practicing like an academic subject by setting aside regular, scheduled practice time each week, just as they would for homework or studying.

Students are encouraged to practice with both a metronome and a tuner. The orchestra recommends the free Soundcorset app, which combines both tools and includes subdivision features at no cost.

Short, focused practice sessions are far more effective than occasional long sessions. Students should come to rehearsals familiar with their assigned music and prepared to build on what they have practiced at home.

Families play an important role by helping students establish a consistent practice routine. Regular practice builds confidence, develops strong musicianship, and allows every member of TYS to contribute to the success of the ensemble.

The official concert dress is all black.

Students do not need to wear a tuxedo. The goal is a polished, coordinated, professional appearance.

Acceptable concert attire includes:

• Black dress shirt, blouse, sweater, or formal top
• Black dress pants
• Black skirt of an appropriate performance length
• Black dress
• Black socks, tights, or hosiery when appropriate
• Black dress shoes or other clean, quiet, performance-appropriate black footwear

The following are not considered appropriate concert attire:

• Jeans
• Sweatpants
• Leggings worn as pants unless approved as part of a formal outfit
• Shorts
• Clothing with large logos, graphics, or writing
• Brightly colored shoes, socks, accessories, or visible undergarments
• Flip-flops or unsafe footwear
• Torn, excessively casual, or distracting clothing

Clothing should allow the student to perform comfortably and safely. Skirts and dresses should provide appropriate coverage while seated on stage.

Jewelry, hair accessories, and other visible accessories should be simple and unobtrusive. Strong fragrances should be avoided.

Students who arrive without appropriate concert attire may be unable to perform unless an acceptable alternative can be arranged.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to communicate concerns respectfully and directly.

Concerns involving rehearsal decisions, discipline, placement, seating, staff conduct, or student conflict should be brought privately to administration. These matters should not be debated during rehearsal, in front of students, or through public social media posts.

The organization will make reasonable efforts to listen carefully, respond fairly, and protect the dignity of everyone involved.

The safety of our students, families, staff, and volunteers is our highest priority. Rehearsals may be canceled or delayed due to severe weather, unsafe road conditions, power outages, facility emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Whenever possible, families will be notified as early as practical through a group text message and a phone call to the parent or guardian’s primary cell phone number provided during registration. Families are responsible for ensuring that their contact information remains current. If no cancellation notice has been issued, rehearsals will proceed as scheduled.

Students must be picked up promptly following rehearsal. For the safety of every student, children will only be released to a parent, guardian, or other individual authorized on the Registration Form, unless prior written permission has been provided. Families are responsible for keeping authorized pick-up information current. Repeated late pick-ups may result in a meeting with administration to ensure appropriate arrangements can be made.

Students are responsible for arriving at every rehearsal and performance with:

• Their instrument in good working condition
• All assigned music
• A pencil and any required accessories

The Tehachapi Youth Symphony is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of students’ personal instruments, equipment, music, or other belongings. Families are encouraged to label personal property and maintain appropriate insurance coverage for valuable instruments when applicable.

The Tehachapi Youth Symphony celebrates its students by sharing photos, videos, and performance highlights with the community while respecting every family’s privacy.

No student’s image or identifiable information will be shared publicly without a signed Media Release Form completed by a parent or legal guardian. Families may choose full permission, group photos only, or no public media participation.

Only authorized staff may post on behalf of the organization. Students, staff, volunteers, and families are expected to represent the orchestra respectfully online. Bullying, harassment, or sharing confidential information will not be tolerated.

Families are welcome to photograph or record their own child during performances, provided it does not interfere with the concert or the experience of others and respects the privacy choices of other families.

Media permissions are selected annually on the registration form.