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Youth Orchestra

Attendance

Attendance at all rehearsals is expected with the following guidelines:

  • Members are allowed three unexcused absences per year. This includes scouting activities, church related activities, other service organizations, family trips, weddings, work, sports and any other circumstance not listed below. Four unexcused absences constitute grounds for dismissal from the orchestra.
  • Excused absences include illness, inclement weather, school music events (marching band, concerts/performances, concert tours, festivals, etc.), academic school trips, college testing, college visits. Members should use discretion in taking excused absences, as participation in rehearsals is vital to the musical success of the orchestra. Any student with more than five excused absences may be asked to re-audition for continued participation in the orchestra.
  • All members are required to report absences at their earliest convenience, at the latest by 8:00 pm the day before rehearsal (illness and inclement weather permitted after the fact).
  • The success of this orchestra is based on the sincere and honest commitment of all members.

Report all absences using the form below:

Angela Wodehouse – Attendance Secretary (rsyoattendance@gmail.com)

2022-2023 RSYO Calendar

Volunteer Clearances

Instructions for New Volunteers:

All individuals volunteering for the first time in any capacity with the RSYO/RSJSO are required to complete the following three clearances:

  1. Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance– No associated fee (Once clearance is obtained it is valid for 5 years)
  2. Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance– No associated fee (Once clearance is obtained it is valid for 5 years)
  3. FBI Federal Criminal History Record Report– Fee associated – Service Code: 1KG6ZJ
    (Once clearance is obtained it is valid for 5 years)

    Please Note: 
    Please be advised that you will be instructed to provide a service code for the purpose of volunteering. This code is 1KG6Y3. This is specific to volunteering and may not be used for employment purposes.OR  (in place of fingerprinting) Act 153 Volunteer Affidavit – Notary Fee associated (Once clearance is presented to the RSO it is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually)

    Please Note: If you have lived continuously in Pennsylvania for at least 10 years, you may submit an Act 153 Volunteer Affidavit on an annual basis in place of the FBI Federal Criminal History Record Report. This affidavit must be notarized and submitted to the RSO office at the beginning of each season.

Once you have obtained your clearances, you should submit copied clearance reports to the RSO office. You will then be required to submit new clearances every five years for the PA Criminal/Child Abuse/and FBI Fingerprinting and annually if you choose and are eligible for the Act 153 Volunteer Affidavit.

Volunteer Clearances – Instructions for Returning Volunteers

Once your clearances are on file with the RSO you will be able to legally volunteer at various concerts, rehearsals and fundraising events. If your current clearances are more than five years old, you will need to submit a new set of Pennsylvania clearances and the fingerprint Universal Enrollment ID or Act 153 Volunteer Affidavit (if eligible) to the RSO office. Please keep in mind that you will need to re-submit all of your clearances before each five-year period has expired. Example: If you obtained your clearances in June 2014, you will be required to re-submit your clearances prior to June 2019 in order to remain in compliance.

RSO Tickets

As a member of the RSYO or RSJSO, you are entitled to a ticket to each of the Reading Symphony Orchestra’s subscription concerts.

Auditions

RSYO will continue to have rolling auditions for the 2023-2024 season. If you are interested in joining please reach out to ccinquini@readingsymphony.org for more information.

Parent Association

RSYO Parent Association contact information:

President: Kathy DiMarino – (kathydimarino@comcast.net)

Attendance: Angela Wodehouse – (rsyoattendance@gmail.com)

Membership Responsibilities

Responsibilities of Members Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra

  1. Demonstrate commitment to your orchestra by attending regularly and by always being in the rehearsal hall no later than ten minutes before the start of the rehearsal, so that rehearsals can begin promptly without the disruption of latecomers.
  2. Membership in the RSYO is a privilege. That privilege can be withdrawn for lack of application, unprepared music, poor behavior, cell phone use during rehearsal, or persistent talking during rehearsals. Students must also maintain all eligibility requirements throughout the year, including remaining a member of their school orchestra.
  3. Attendance at all rehearsals is expected with the following guidelines: Members are allowed three unexcused absences per year. This includes scouting activities, church related activities, other service organizations, family trips, weddings, work, sports and any other circumstance not listed below. Four unexcused absences constitute grounds for dismissal from the orchestra.
    Excused absences include illness, inclement weather, school music events (marching band, concerts/performances, concert tours, festivals, etc.), academic school trips, college testing, college visits. Members should use discretion in taking excused absences, as participation in rehearsals is vital to the musical success of the orchestra. Any student with more than five excused absences may be asked to re-audition for continued participation in the orchestra.
    Absences shall be reported to the attendance secretary as posted on the RSYO website: www.readingsymphonyyouth.org using the online Google form before 8:00 pm the previous Sunday. Advance written notice of absence may be required.
  4. Members are required to take music home to practice. There shall be no assigned folders left in the rehearsal hall after rehearsals. Take your orchestra music to your private teacher if necessary.
  5. Rehearsals are not practice – practice your music at home and come to rehearsals knowing the notes. You may be asked to demonstrate for the entire orchestra, so come prepared.
  6. Cell phones are not permitted on stage during rehearsals or concerts.
  7. Bring a pencil and a music stand to ALL rehearsals!
  8. Lost or damaged music will be replaced at the cost of replacement, and at the expense of the responsible individual.
  9. All string players should bring a mute to all rehearsals. Brass players should be aware of requirements for your part.
  10. Members should check the RSYO website weekly for confirmation of rehearsal location and rehearsal order.
  11. CONCERT DRESS:
    Black tuxedo or black suit, white shirt, black bow tie, black socks and black dress shoes.
    Long black dress (no shorter than between the ankle and the calf), with sleeves no shorter than elbow length and modest neckline or long black skirt, (no shorter than between the ankle and the calf), or black full cut dress slacks and a black top with sleeves no shorter than elbow length and modest neckline, black or neutral stockings, and black shoes. If you are having trouble finding concert dresses like this, check “uniform” websites like Stage Accents or Southeastern Performance Apparel.
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