Rehearsal Guidelines

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We appreciate your participation in our orchestra and look forward to making beautiful music together. To make the “musical machinery” run most smoothly, we have compiled the following guidelines regarding our time together in rehearsal and performance settings:

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are normally held at Creekside Middle School on Tuesdays every week throughout the Castro Valley Adult School term. All Rehearsals are from 7:15 to 9:15PM. Please be in your seat promptly at 7:15 p.m. ready for a downbeat.

  • There may be occasional sectional rehearsals scheduled by the section leader or director at the convenience of all section members.
  • If you need to miss a rehearsal or cannot stay for a full rehearsal, it is your responsibility to inform the orchestra manager or the director as early as possible and to arrange a substitute for yourself.
  • In order to optimize limited rehearsal time, please keep side conversations and other disruptions to a minimum during rehearsal.  Constant disruption of the class is subject to exclusion.

Attendance

The orchestra is a class of the Castro Valley Adult and Career Education school.  It is expected that orchestra members will enroll in the class — it’s how we are able to get rehearsal space, performance space and other benefits of the school.  If there is an issue with the enrollment, please see the director.

Regular attendance at rehearsals and your presence at all performances are assumed. If you have schedule conflicts, please resolve them as soon as possible with the director or the personnel manager.

Sheet music

Sheet Music will be in placed on the appropriate music stands or passed out when you arrive.  Sometimes music will be available online, and you will be able to link to and download your part.

  • When marking your original part, please use a soft lead pencil.DO NOT USE INK OR ANY PERMANENT MARKER. You should return the part in the same condition as received.
  • You may take your parts home to practice between rehearsals, and you are responsible for the scores’ condition, safekeeping and prompt return to the orchestra librarian after the performance.
  • It is expected that you practice sufficiently during the week to come fully prepared for rehearsals, which are intended to refine performance details.
  • Because of copyright laws and rental agreements, some music may not be legally copied or retained after the performance. Original parts must be returned.  Even certain copies that you have made for your own practice  library are technically not allowed by copyright law.  If you have any questions about this, see the instructor.

Performances

Performances are generally at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts (CFA).

  • Because we are only able to use the CFA  on the day of the concert, we generally have a “tech rehearsal” from 11 AM to 12:30 PM on the day of the concert.  Bring a bag lunch as there are few places nearby that people can go get lunch.
  • Dress for the concerts is usually “pit black” (black pants/skirt and shirt/blouse.)
  • Call time for performance is no later than ½ hour before downbeat.

Thank you for your attention to these housekeeping details, and enjoy!!

Contacts: Josh Cohen, Director, 510-545-2209 maestro@cvorchestra.org