Attendance Policy
Students will be allowed one pre-excused and one emergency absence per concert cycle. Emergency absences are for illness or other serious emergency issues. In all cases, an email to tyodirector@gmail.com to advise the staff of the absence.
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Each instance a student is tardy for rehearsal will count as half an absence. A student will be counted tardy if he/she is not in their seat and completely ready to tune at the posted time for rehearsal. If a student is counted as absent more than two times per concert cycle, he/she will not be allowed to perform in that concert.
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String Seating Policy
To put forth the best musical product possible and to ensure the best possible learning outcomes for each student, TYO directors place strong players in all areas of string sections, front and back. It is the prerogative of the ensemble director to determine specific policies for his/her ensemble. It is also the responsibility of each ensemble director to clearly articulate to the students their seating policies. As a general template, TYO seating procedure is as follows:
Ensemble directors will determine split between first and second violins at first rehearsal of each concert cycle. As mentioned above, each director will make every effort to balance strengths/experience throughout the section.
During selected sectionals of every concert cycle, students will perform a brief seating audition selected from their current concert music. To protect valuable sectional time, these auditions will be with other students in the room. Students may opt out of seating auditions with the understanding that they will be placed in non-leadership capacities in their section. Students performing auditions will be ranked according to this plan in which highest score is seat 1 and X signifies un-ranked player:
Stand One I 2
Stand Two 3 X
Stand Three 4 X
Stand Four 5 etc.
Unranked students who do not audition are placed after ranked (auditioned) chairs are determined. Students auditioning are not guaranteed a ranked chair.
Rule: Any First-chair player who misses more than two rehearsals for any reason will be moved to second chair with second chair player assuming principal role.
Rule: Any ranked-chair player who misses one or both of the last two rehearsals before a concert will forfeit his or her chair, being moved to a director-determined position among the un-ranked chairs.
Questions or concerns about seating policies should be directed first to the ensemble director of your child’s ensemble. If there are continued concerns, they should be directed to the Music Director.
Tuition Policies
​Tuition rates for the 2023-2024 season are:
Intermezzo Strings $440
Chamber Orchestra $550
Symphony Orchestra $660 (Includes the cost of 3-day retreat)
Participation in the Small Ensemble program is free to TYO members. Chamber members who wish to attend the annual retreat August 11-13, 2023, may sign up to do so at registration and pay the $125 retreat fee.
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Scholarships
It is the hope of the Tallahassee Youth Orchestras Board of Directors that no qualifying student will be unable to participate because of financial need. Anyone for whom these options present a financial hardship should apply for a scholarship. Scholarship information and applications will be available on the registration page on June 1, 2023. The deadline for current members for the 2023-2024 season is June 5, 2023. Applications received after that date will be considered on a rolling basis and awarded as funding permits. Applicants who have paid the required $50 registration deposit by June 15 will receive the details of their award on that date. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at tyodirector@gmail.com .
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​Payment Policies
A deposit of $50 is required to hold a student’s seat.
Families may choose to pay in full, or set up payment plans.
For those who wish to pay in full by check, payment is due by August 1st, 2023. Amounts not paid by this date will incur a late fee of $25.
For those who wish to pay in full by credit card, or set up payment plans, there will be an additional $25 fee to cover credit card processing and related fees. This fee is waived for scholarship students.
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Payment Plan Options
Tallahassee Youth Orchestras offers two payment plans:
Until August 1, 2023, families may select:
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payment over eight months, with payments to occur on the first of the months August through March.
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payment over four months, with payments to occur on the first of August through November.
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​Important To Remember
As stated in the registration agreement, registration creates a commitment to pay for the entire season. Refunds cannot be given if the student withdraws. It is the responsibility of the participants utilizing payment plans to maintain a valid credit card in the registration/payment system.
Failure to pay tuition in a timely manner will result in a penalty as determined appropriate by the Executive Board. This could include late fees, removal from concert programs, and/or exclusion from rehearsals or concerts. No member will be allowed to schedule an audition for the next season until all financial obligations for the current season have been met.
These policies have been established to create the very best musical learning opportunity for your musician and we appreciate your support!
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