East Valley Youth Symphony – Handbell Ensemble – Policy – 2010/2011 Season
The mission of EVYS is to help youth excel by providing an uplifting and challenging handbell experience under the guidance of skilled conductors and supportive parents.
I. Cost: This is $160.00 for the entire year. This includes rehearsals and three concerts. Payment can be made using one of the following methods.
a. Write a check to East Valley Youth Symphony-Handbells
b. Pay online using Visa or Master Card. If paying online please add a 3% service fee.
c. We offer a payment program. Contact the President of EVYS to make arrangements.
Please consider becoming a “Friend”, “Sponsor” or whatever you are able, to help support EVYS. It is a school donation and a tax credit is given on your taxes.
Most of all it is a benefit to our children and the next generation.
II. Eligibility
All students of elementary through high school age, who are able to perform the minimum audition requirements as stated on www.evysaz.org, are eligible to audition to become a member of EVYS.
As an EVYS member, students are required to participate in any handbell or choir group that they are currently a member of. Each member must have his/her school or church conductor sign a form showing participation.
III. Rehearsal Rules
1. Practice will start precisely at the time set. Everyone in the 4:30 pm class should allow time to set up tables, bells, music, etc. Before the beginning of rehearsal. All ringers in the 6:00 PM class are responsible for Taking Down Equipment. This includes wiping off your own bells-no finger prints, putting them away, also music, pencils, and all other equipment. They need to be stored in its correct place. Do not leave until these things are carried out and finished. It is fun to work as a team.
2. (No gum chewing-saliva corrodes bells).
3. No Ringer should ever be absent unless it is absolutely necessary. Ringing groups are inconvenienced by one absence; if several are absent little can be accomplished. Lets all try for 100% attendance with an exciting year of ringing.
Awards will be given for perfect attendance. Perfect attendance means no absences (excused or unexcused). Recognition will be given for outstanding attendance. Outstanding attendance is given to musicians that only have excused absences resulting from school concerts.
4. Equipment responsibilities will be assigned by the Director. Assignment of bells will be left to the director.
5. Try to limit outside concerts to 1 per week.
6. The October 28th rehearsal will be a ½ hr rehearsal from 1st group. CLEAN AND POLISH HANDBELLS by EVERYONE. PIZZA and drink and finish with ½ hr rehearsal with the 2ndgroup. For this day everyone come and stay as long as you can-but still be there for your own group time so we can get in a practice.
Please bring $2.00 to help with cost.
7. Listening is very important in a handbell choir. Not only does a ringer need to listen to their bells but to the other bells as well. Correct notes, accuracy of note values and damping. Listening helps improve the sensitivity to volume, tempo and dynamics.
8. Practice your music 10 minutes a day and bring a note signed to rehearsals. 60 minutes a week. An award will be given for this as it is very important for our teams.
9. Keep the director informed at all times of any needs or concerns you might have.
IV. Concert Attire
In order to provide an atmosphere of professionalism and excellence the following attire will be required for concerts.
Girls: Long, black, ankle-length skirt: no denim and no slits: long-sleeved white blouse (cannot show cleavage must cover elbows, and no T-shirts); black closed-toe dress shoes and black nylons or tights. Bare legs and feet will not be allowed.
Boys: Black dress slacks; no denim: long-sleeved, white, button-up dress shirt (worn tucked in); black bow tie, black shoes, black socks and black belt. No jackets.
Concert dress will also need to be approved at the first dress rehearsal of the year for a “concert dress” check. Also, concert dress will be worn when group photos are taken.
V. Concert Conduct
Part of the EVYS experience is to learn proper concert etiquette as a musician and an audience member. Please show respect to all our musicians by turning off your electronic devices, and by remaining quietly in your seat during performances. Also, show your support to all of our orchestras by staying through the end of the concert. In the event that you must enter or exit the performance hall during a concert, kindly wait until the music has stopped to discreetly enter or exit.
VI. Parental Support
In order to accomplish the goals and aims of EVYS, each family is requested to donate service each season. If you have any specific talents or interests that would benefit EVYS please contact a member of the board.
(see EVYS booklet for more).
Volunteer Parent Help with Handbell Program
1. Watching and helping with set up and take down of handbells.
2. Keeping attendance, weekly home practice slips and master calendar of activities
3. Community Functions, dates, times, transportation, publicity. Keep Board Members Informed
4. Librarian to keep track of music and give to appropriate board member at end of season.
VII. Auditioning
Experimenting by changing the ringers to different assignments, high to low, low to middle, lets them get a feel of the various sizes, weights, and sounds.
Judges will be looking for:
1. Rhythmic Accuracy: (playing the correct rhythms).
2. Tempo & Pulse: (keeping the tempo and maintaining a steady pulse).
3. Co-ordination: (left & right hand coordination).
4. Technique: (Holding the handbell, ringing the handbell).
5. Attitude: (How the ringer is affected by changing positions). Excited about trying something new,
Concerned, or doesn’t want to do at all.
6. Fill out a simple form of notes, note values, musical terms.
SCORE DESCRIPTION
7-8 Outstanding in Every or Nearly Every Detail (excellent)
5-6 Some Minor Flaws- (Good but can be Better)
3-4 Some Major Flaws- (Average – Needs Attention
1-2 Frequent Major Flaws – (Poor – Needs help to improve).
VIII. Additional Information
EVYS members’ photos may also be taken occasionally and published in EVYS-related publications such as brochures, newspaper articles, or www.evysaz.org.
These policies also can be found online at www.evysaz.org.