Attendance
Members are expected to attend all rehearsals and concerts.

If a member has schedule conflicts due to sports activities or participation in other activities, please discuss this with the Music Director.

Call when you are not able to attend rehearsals due to illness or unforeseen circumstances.  It takes only one minute to call and it makes a big difference to our music director.  Julie is available until the start of rehearsal on her cell phone at (607) 435-3857.

If a member misses more than two consecutive rehearsals, they will be asked to meet with the Music Director

Attendance is required at the final two rehearsals before a concert in order to participate in the concert.

Rehearsals
All rehearsals will be held in the theater at the Foothills Performing Arts Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta.  If there is a change in rehearsal location, LDYE will inform all members in advance.

Rehearsals will begin promptly at 4:30 p.m.  Members are expected to arrive by 4:15 at the latest so that they are in their seats and ready to play at 5:00 p.m.  Attendance will be taken at all rehearsals.

Members should always bring a pencil, their music and their instrument to rehearsals.

If a rehearsal is delayed for any reason, members should remain seated and should continue warming up.

Parents are welcome to attend all rehearsals.  Please be a quiet audience.

Members should be picked up promptly at 6:30 p.m. after rehearsal.

Families will be asked by the refreshment team to sign up to bring snacks and drinks to at least one rehearsal during each semester and two of the concerts.  If you have any questions about this, please call Athena at 607-746-2283 or email: littledelawareyouthensemble@yahoo.com

At-Home Practice
Parents are expected to support and reinforce LDYE’s goal of enabling each member of the ensemble to develop their full potential as orchestral performers by ensuring that their children practice their pieces at home.  Home practices should be regular, consistent and free of distractions.

Weather Related Cancellations
Weather-related cancellations of rehearsals or concerts will be brought to the attention to members by email.  The decision to cancel a rehearsal will be made by noon and all parents will be contacted at that time. Please call Athena Gill at (607) 746-2283 if you have any questions.

Facilities and Equipment
The LDYE and its musicians are guests of Foothills Performing Arts Center, where rehearsals and concerts are held. Instruments and equipment stored in the rehearsal rooms or backstage area are off-limits. Any damage to equipment or facilities caused by a member is the responsibility of the member and his or her family. All rehearsal and concert spaces are smoke free environments.

Sheet Music
Members must keep their sheet music in good condition. All music must be returned following the last performance of a work.  Members will be charged for the replacement of lost or damaged music.  This includes music that is marked in pen, or heavy pencil that is difficult to replace. Music may be marked LIGHTLY in pencil only. Music folders are due in at the end of the season.  Members will be charged for lost music folders. 

Concert Dress
Boys should wear dress shirts, ties, nice slacks, and appropriate footwear.  No jeans, sneakers, sandals or flip-flops.

Girls should wear dresses, skirts or nice slacks, with a nice blouse and appropriate footwear. No jeans, sneakers, sandals or flip-flops.  Dresses and skirts must be below-the-knees when seated.

Tuition
Tuition is $125.00 per semester for each student in the ensemble.  Tuition should be paid in full by the end of the second week of each semester.  If a family has more than one child in LDYE, tuition is $125.00 for the first child and $100.00 for each additional child.  Checks should be made payable to LDYE and can be given to Athena Gill during rehearsal. If necessary, you can mail tuition payments to:

        Little Delaware Youth Ensemble
        PO Box 206
        Oneonta, NY  13820

If you have any questions about tuition, please contact Athena Gill at 607-746-2283.

Little Delaware Youth Ensemble Leadership Roles
Leadership positions (section leaders and concert master/mistress) in the Little Delaware Youth ensemble will be appointed for one semester.

Leaders will be chosen based on the following qualities:

• Technical ability
• Musicianship
• Reliability
• Leadership ability

Responsibilities of leaders:

• Section leaders must coordinate bowings and musical markings throughout their sections.
• Must show preparation of ensemble music prior to rehearsals.
• Leaders are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of rehearsals.  The music director must be informed of scheduling conflicts.
• Must attend all performances.

Chair Position:

• Seating placements in the orchestra will be determined during auditions by the Music Director and 2 other adjudicators.
• Seating placement is not subject to appeal.