Lincoln Public Schools
JYO & LPS Policies
Eligibility
The Junior Youth Orchestra is an all-school orchestra for students in grades six through nine in the Lincoln Public School District. Auditions are required. Because the Junior Youth Orchestra is an extension of the instrumental program of the Lincoln Public Schools, students must participate in the instrumental music program at their school to remain eligible for this all-school group. All students in Junior Youth Orchestra must be residents of the Lincoln Public School District. Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the JYO director, the school instrumental music teacher, the school principal and the Supervisor of Music for Lincoln Public Schools. Home-schooled students must be participants in a school instrumental program in order to participate in JYO. Students whose schools do not have a related instrumental program are eligible for JYO.
LYS Membership Levels
The three levels of membership in JYO are: 1) Regular Member, 2) Permanent Member, and 3) Alternate Member.
To become a Regular member of JYO, students must audition in the fall of the year of desired participation and be accepted as a member of JYO based on that audition. All Regular members are required to re-audition for a second year for acceptance again into the ensemble. After a successful second year audition, students will then become Permanent members and after that will need to audition each year of participation in JYO for the purposes of chair placement in the ensemble. (NOTE: These are new Audition Guidelines which are now posted on the JYO website.)Regular members are expected to be at all rehearsals and performances, and to adhere to all JYO policies. If at any time a member is unable to attend rehearsals or performances or violates JYO policies, the member may be removed and replaced with an alternate.
Alternate Members may also be chosen at the auditions. Alternates may either be given a permanent spot if a Regular or Permanent member is unable to continue to participate in JYO, or an Alternate may be temporarily appointed for the length of a concert preparation and performance period to replace a Regular/Permanent member for an approved major absence. Alternates will only be required to attend rehearsals and performances in the event an opening occurs. If Alternates are not appointed to fill a permanent spot, the alternate will need to re-audition the following year if they wish to earn a permanent position in the orchestra.
Absence/Tardy Policies
Absences
1. Attendance at ALL rehearsals and performances is expected and mandatory.
2. The JYO director must approve all non-emergency absences. Non-emergency absences must be presented to the JYO director for consideration and approval no later than two weeks prior to the anticipated non-emergency absence. Requests for non-emergency absences must be reported by e-mail to the director. Approval of non-emergency absences is at the JYO directorÃ∞â√ıââ√˚ıÃ∞â≈ Ã≠¢Ã∞â√ıÃ≠¢Ã∞¢â╢¢Ã≠¢Ã∞â≈ Ã≠¢Ã∞â√ıâ╢╰Ã∞╉×Ë˙s discretion. Absences that are not approved may be grounds for dismissal from the orchestra.
3. Emergency absences must be reported to the director by 3:30 on the day of the missed rehearsal. An e-mail message must be sent to the director to report the reason for the absence Ã∞â√ıââ√˚ıÃ∞â≈ Ã≠¢Ã∞â√ıÃ≠¢Ã∞¢â╢¢Ã≠¢Ã∞â≈ Ã≠¢Ã∞â√ıÃ≠¢Ã∞¢â╢¢Ã≠¢Ã∞â≈¥Ã≠± this must be done before the next rehearsal. Examples of emergency absences include illness, injury, dire family emergency, or emergencies beyond the control of the student.
4. Except for extreme circumstances, students missing more than 2 rehearsals for a concert will not be eligible to perform in that concert.
5. Students may be excused from a rehearsal early to participate in other school performances as long as the JYO Director is notified in advance of that rehearsal.
Tardies
1. JYO members must be seated five minutes prior to rehearsal time (or 4:10) or be counted tardy. Students are expected to notify the JYO Director when such tardies might occur consistently.
2. Three tardies will be equivalent to one unexcused absence.
Inclement Weather
Rehearsal will automatically be canceled if LPS is canceled due to bad weather. If inclement weather occurs during the afternoon, log on to the JYO website (http://jyo.lps.org) or contact the Director to receive information about the rehearsal.
Music
Each musician will be issued a folder. All music distributed should be kept in the folder. The student is responsible for the music, the folder, and to bring a pencil to each rehearsal for marking the conductorÃ∞â√ıââ√˚ıÃ∞â≈ Ã≠¢Ã∞â√ıÃ≠¢Ã∞¢â╢¢Ã≠¢Ã∞â≈ Ã≠¢Ã∞â√ıâ╢╰Ã∞╉×Ë˙s instructions into the music. NO markings shall be made in pen! Music will be collected at the end of each concert. For music that is not returned, a fee of $10 per piece ($30 maximum) will be assessed.
Additional Expectations
1. Rehearsals and performances will be conducted in a professional manner. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Always show respect and consideration for the conductor, coaches, and all other members of the orchestra.
2. Gum chewing, talking and disruptive behavior during rehearsals or performances will not be tolerated and may constitute reason for dismissal.
3. Transportation to and from all rehearsals and performances is the responsibility of the parent or guardian of the student.
Chair Placement
For wind instruments, chair placement is determined at the fall auditions. Placement could be adjusted during the season at the discretion of the Director. For string sections, fall auditions will determine chair placement for the first half of the season. Additional chair placement auditions will be held in early February for the remainder of the season.
Concert Attire
Gentlemen: Dark dress pants, dark dress shoes and socks, dress shirt, necktie.
Ladies: Below the knee dark dress; or below the knee dark skirt and blouse (of any color); or dark dress slacks and blouse (of any color).