Attendance

All performers are expected to fulfill their membership obligation to the ensemble through individual preparation of the selected repertoire and attendance at all rehearsals and performances.

Students should notify Mr. Lorusso in writing at least one week prior to an anticipated absence (except in cases of illness or emergency). Students will only be excused from rehearsals in the event of a conflict with their school ensemble schedule (with prior notice), sickness or extenuating circumstances.

All members of NYWE are required to enroll in their school's instrumental ensemble music program (band or orchestra) for the entire school year. Students may not substitute the NYWE experience for their primary ensemble in their school.

Students who elect to not participate in their school program will be dismissed from NYWE. Students who do not have a resident instrumental music ensemble at their school or students with irreconcilable scheduling conflicts must be recommended by an appropriate school official. Students who are home schooled must be recommended by a private teacher.

NORTHEASTERN YOUTH WIND ENSEMBLE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

This ensemble can work the way it should only if every one makes sure it does. Success in this band is very simple. All you need to do is:

  1. Show up to rehearsal each week.
  2. Practice your music for 10-15 minutes, a few times each week.
  3. Manage your schedules responsibly, with the help of your parents.
  4. Communicate with me.

Almost all of the problems I have to deal with on a weekly basis involve problems with numbers 3 and 4, above. So, the idea is that if you manage your schedules responsibly, and if you communicate with me, we will have very few problems standing in the way of our success as a band.

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER DO

  1. Fail to show up at rehearsal without letting me know first.
  2. Give late or last-minute notice about a conflict you've had in your calendar for weeks.
  3. Text or e-mail me with a conflict within one week of the rehearsal you can't attend.
  4. Tell someone else you can't attend rehearsal.
  5. Assume that I will react a certain way to a problem before we have discussed it.

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS DO

  1. Solve your own scheduling problems.
  2. If you can't resolve a problem on your own, discuss it with me ASAP.
  3. Remind your parents of the Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble Schedule.
  4. Remind me of any upcoming conflicts we have discussed previously.
  5. Communicate with me if you are in doubt or unsure of anything in the schedule.

THINK BEFORE YOU CALL

Last-minute conflicts are impossible for me to deal with, in that they leave NO TIME to solve problems. Now, if you wake up really sick on Sunday, I will absolutely understand when you phone me later to tell me that you are ill and cannot attend. But if a problem other than a health-related issue comes up, try first to solve it on your own. We rehearse only one day per week, so you need to be at every possible practice.

YOU'RE HERE FOR THE YEAR

When you become a member of the Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble, you commit for the entire year (both cycles), through our final performance in the spring. Leaving mid-year creates more problems that I care to list in this space, so be sure that you're in for the whole thing.

I'M HERE TO HELP YOU

I want nothing more than for you to be excited and happy to perform with the Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble, and I will do everything I can to make your experience here fun, educational, and artistically awesome. We will work together to create and experience that you'll remember for many, many years to come. I'm always here to help you with your music, to help you solve problems, or just listen. Communicate with me and all will be well.