Membership Requirements
Private Lessons
All Philharmonic and Symphonic Orchestra members of TSYO are required to take private lessons on a regular basis. Concert Strings students are strongly encouraged to seek out private lessons. Please contact tssm@artstoledo.com or 419-418-0057 if you need information about financial assistance for private lessons through the Toledo Symphony School of Music.
Membership in Your School's Ensembles
TSYO ensembles are meant to enhance, not replace, school music instruction. TSYO students are required to participate in their school orchestra/band if one is available in their school. Music students benefit from daily ensemble instruction and rehearsal. Please discuss any scheduling conflicts with your school’s music director. We will verify all members’ participation in their school’s orchestra/band program in early September. TSYO meets for rehearsal only once each week. School music programs provide the essential daily instruction required for a serious student’s musical progress.
All students are required to submit the TSYO Private Lesson and School Verification form via Acceptd. Failure to turn in the required forms will result in the student sitting out the first concert. Tuition will not be reimbursed for this.
Communication
TSYO staff will mainly use email to contact parents and students with updates and important announcements. It is important that you provide your most up to date email and check it regularly. Please make sure all information is up to date in Jackrabbit, our online registration platform. We will often send emails through this platform; occasionally these are marked as spam. If you believe that you aren’t receiving emails through Jackrabbit, please contact TSYO staff as soon as possible. Keep an eye out for emails from Live Arts Toledo.
Rehearsal Expectations
Punctuality
Rehearsals will follow the schedule provided to you upon enrollment. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early for tuning, warm-up, and set-up. You must be in your seats ready to play by the time rehearsal is scheduled to begin.
Concert Strings rehearses from 4:30pm-6:00pm. Symphonic and Philharmonic orchestras rehearse from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Rehearsals will include a short break.
Sheet Music
Each student will be issued a folder and the music selected by the conductor for rehearsal and performance. Each student must bring their music and a pencil for marking music to each rehearsal. Do not depend on a stand partner to bring music. Markings may be made in pencil only and must be musical in nature; obscenities written in music will be considered against student conduct. The student is responsible for the music. TSYO music is to be practiced at home.
Attendance Policies
Attendance
Attendance will be taken at every rehearsal. Sign in sheets will be available before rehearsal starts. Students should sign in at the front desk when they arrive at rehearsal, not during their break. All TSYO members are expected to attend all rehearsals and scheduled events on their Season Calendar. Regular attendance is required to maintain membership in the orchestra. It is the student’s responsibility to arrive before 4:30 PM for Concert Strings or before 6:30 PM for Symphonic and Philharmonic Orchestras, to warm-up and tune.
Excused Absences
All absences must be reported through the Parent Portal in Jackrabbit.
When reporting your absence via the parent portal, you must include the reason for your student’s absence for it to be eligible for consideration as an excused absence. Submissions with a blank note field will be unexcused.
A parent email to the Education Manager may also be accepted and eligible for consideration for an excused absence. Emails from students will not be accepted and will be considered unexcused.
Only two excused absences or one unexcused absence will be permitted per concert cycle. Excessive problems with attendance and punctuality are grounds for dismissal from the orchestra, without refund.
An Excused Absence is an absence reported at the proper time in the proper way fully explaining the school (academic, not extracurricular) or illness related absence. “Extra-curricular” shall be considered anything that is not graded at school.
Sustained absence for illness:
Please inform the Education Manager and your ensemble director if there is a need for an extended absence due to illness. Members will not lose their seat in their ensemble for extended illness.
Unexcused Absences
The following will be considered “Unexcused Absences”:
• Has not been properly submitted in the parent portal, or communicated to the Education Manager within 48 hours of the missed rehearsal.
• Absences for commitments that are not academic or health related.
• An absence from a sectional rehearsal or masterclass.
Any student that has more than two excused absences, or one unexcused absence per concert cycle may be prohibited from performing that concert. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the conductor and will be communicated through the Education Manager. An unexcused absence from a sectional or dress rehearsal will result in the student not being able to perform in that concert. Students cannot be excused from any sectional rehearsal, dress rehearsal or concert without the direct permission of the conductors.
Dress Rehearsal Absence
If you miss a dress rehearsal, you will not be allowed to perform at the concert unless given permission by your conductor.
Inclement Weather
When a Level 1 Snow Advisory is in effect for Lucas County, classes will continue as scheduled. Please call the front desk at 419-418-0015 if you have any questions.
When a Level 2 Snow Advisory is issued for Lucas County, classes already in session will finish at their normal time. However, the remaining classes for that day will be cancelled.
- If a Level 2 Snow Advisory is in effect as of 2:00PM (weekdays) or 7:00AM (weekends), classes will be cancelled for the remainder of that day.
- Students attending private lessons should contact their instructor to see if their class has been cancelled.
When a Level 3 Snow Emergency is issued for Lucas County, the Toledo Center for Live Arts building will close. Scheduled classes will be cancelled for the remainder of that day.
- If a Level 3 Snow Emergency is in effect as of 2:00PM (weekdays) or 7:00AM (weekends), all classes are cancelled for the remainder of that day.
- Information on facility closings can be found on local media outlets and internet sources.
Concert Policies
Tickets
All TSYO concerts are free, however tickets must be reserved. You can reserve your tickets at this link.
Photography
Photography is allowed as long as there is no flash. Videotaping is allowed, except at the Side by Side.
Concert Attire
The goal of the orchestra concert attire policy is to present to the audience a unified appearance. Any member who comes to a performance in unacceptable attire will not be allowed to perform until the attire conforms to the concert attire policy. Out of respect for your colleagues, please do not wear perfume or cologne.
- White long sleeve or ¾ length blouse or dress shirt (not off-white or cream). The sleeve must be longer than your elbow.
- Long black skirt (floor length) or long black pants
- Black socks/tights/hose, no anklets
- Black shoes (flats or a modest heel)
- Minimal jewelry is permitted
Financial Policies
Payment by Cash or Check
Special arrangements must be made for tuition payments via cash or check. Please email us to arrange these payment methods.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available to qualifying individuals who show commitment to their music education. Applications will open on August 1. Please fill out an application form. Apply
Conduct and Dismissal
TSYO Harassment and Bullying Policy
The Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (“TAPA”) and the Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras (“TSYO”) are committed to maintaining a positive learning environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Discrimination, harassment, and bullying, like other disruptive or violent behaviors, are types of conduct that disrupt students’ ability to learn and TSYO’s ability to educate its students in a safe environment, and such conduct will not be tolerated. For purposes of this policy, harassment and bullying are defined as any unwelcome or unwanted conduct of an offensive nature, whether verbal, physical, or environmental, that is intended to or actually causes mental or physical harm to the individual at which it is directed or that creates an intimidating, abusive, hostile, or offensive environment. Harassment and bullying also includes misconduct that occurs using electronic equipment and media, such as through email, text, or social media. This policy also applies to misconduct that occurs outside of TSYO hours but that is directed towards TSYO students or staff or that substantially disrupts the TSYO’s learning environment. Examples of prohibited conduct include, but are not limited to:
- Physical violence, damage to an individual’s property, or threats
- Sexual assault or unwelcome touching
- Unwanted or unwelcome flirtations or sexual advances or propositions, or comments about an individual’s body, sexual prowess, or sexual deficiencies
- Verbal abuse, slurs, taunts, name-calling, or other attempts to ridicule, insult, humiliate, or intimidate
- Repeated jokes that include offensive references, particularly those that reference race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, or that are lewd or obscene
- Public exclusion from the peer group
- Spreading gossip or rumors about others
- Taking and/or disseminating unwanted or embarrassing photographs
The TSYO encourages all individuals who believe they are being harassed or bullied to firmly or promptly notify the offender that his or her behavior is unwelcome, if possible. All TSYO staff and students are required to report misconduct under this policy to the Education Director or any other member of the TSYO or Live Arts Toledo staff. Anonymous complaints can be sent to the Vice President and General Manager. Retaliation against any victim or person who makes a good faith report of harassment or bullying will not be tolerated and will also be considered misconduct under this policy. Deliberate or knowingly false reports, however, will not be tolerated and are considered misconduct under this policy.
Conduct
The only conduct acceptable at rehearsal or other TSYO activities is that which reflects good taste, courtesy towards others, and pride in achievement. It is expected that you listen respectfully to instructions and announcements and wait patiently if the conductor is helping others. No food, drinks, or chewing gum may be consumed in the rehearsal rooms or on stage in concert halls. Please keep your feet off the chairs in the Peristyle and all other performance venues!
Please be courteous to other students, staff, and faculty that you encounter at the Toledo Center for Live Arts.
It is expected that you are respectful of the space and treat all equipment with care. Please remain in designated student areas and be mindful that other classes and events are occurring in the building.
Dismissal from TSYO
The TSYO will respond promptly and investigate all good faith complaints of misconduct. If the TSYO determines that misconduct has occurred, the parent or guardian for the student(s) involved in the misconduct shall be notified. The TSYO reserves the right to take appropriate corrective action based on the severity of the misconduct, up to and including removal from the program.
The final decision regarding dismissal from the TSYO programs for excessive absences or unacceptable conduct will be made by the Artistic Director in direct consultation with the TSYO conductors and staff.