Santa Barbara Youth Symphony's
ABSOLUTE, POSITIVE AND ESSENTIAL FACTS

The Purpose of the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony is to provide a framework in which the musical talent of the youth of Santa Barbara County and the South coast can be enhanced by offering a high quality orchestral experience as training for later musical involvement. It also provides musical enrichment for the community through concerts and recitals.

The Youth Symphony is sponsored by the Santa Barbara Symphony Association but financially supported by contributions, membership fees and grants. It is administered by the Executive Committee of the Parents Committee. Every parent is included in the larger parents group and is expected to actively participate in YS functions. In order to operate smoothly, the YS depends on assistance from all member families. The membership fee covers only a small portion of our operating expenses, so fund raising is essential and parent participation is required.

Membership and seating is determined by audition. Audition materials can be found on-line at www.sbys.org Musicians will be heard at audition by a committee comprised of the Music Director and select professional musicians. Placement (or rotation) in any section does not indicate greater or lesser ability. The Music Director, in consultation with the Audition Committee is responsible for selection and seating of the orchestra. Once the season has begun, new members are auditions and selected at the discretion of the Music Director. Any question arising from the audition process should be addressed to the General Manager, Jan Gilbert (967-0781).

Fees, due the first rehearsal after auditions, are $200. for the first family member and $100. for each additional family member. Some scholarships are available, but they must be applied for by contacting Mrs. Gilbert at 967-0781. Parents whose children receive some sort of scholarship are expected to participate in various activities throughout the year. Fees may be paid in full, or in installments or by obtaining prepaid ads for our program booklet. One half of the total amount of ads sold will be subtracted from the membership fees. If you wish to sell ads in exchange for all or part of the fees, please speak to Zhen Xie, 895-5349, before any fees are paid or ads accepted.

Rehearsals will be held each Sunday evening, 6 – 8:30 at

•	The Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Road in Hahn Hall (formerly Abravanel Hall (celli and basses must bring something to protect the floor) Please see Hahn Hall rules.
•	First United Methodist Church, corner of Garden and Anapamu (all members must bring a music stand, celli and basses must bring something to protect the floor)

Rehearsals will begin and end promptly. Please encourage your child to arrive at least 10 minutes early to warm up so we can begin on time. Rehearsal and concert schedules can be found on the web site www.sbys.org and any changes are announced as soon as possible at rehearsals. Any emergency changes will be sent by email or by parent’s phone if necessary.

Attendance at all rehearsals is required unless prior arrangements have been agreed upon. Please call the Orchestra Manager, Linda West at 448-9174 on rehearsal day if you must be absent. A message can also be sent to linda@lindawest.com. If you are unable to reach her, please let her know why you were absent as soon as possible. Do not send messages by someone else. If you know in advance that you will miss a rehearsal, obtain an absence slip and fill it out. Please refer to the attendance requirement for further information. This sheet must be signed by both parent and member and returned to the Orchestra Manager. Each member will be provided with a folder of music which must be returned upon request.

Dates for the 2009 -10 concerts are Nov 22, 2009, March 14 and May 30, 2010. The November and March concerts are afternoon concerts starting at 3PM and the May concert is at 7PM The annual free Children’s Concert has not yet been scheduled. Ticket prices for the Lobero concerts are $15. for adults, $10. for seniors/students and free for under 6 years. They may be purchased at the Lobero box office.

The dress code for Concerts can be found on the web site. Parents who do not stay for the rehearsal are asked to pick up their child in front of the rehearsal Hall on time. The Orchestra Manager stays until all members have been picked up.

Should any problems arise, please bring them to the attention of the Orchestra manager, Linda West or the General Manager, Jan Gilbert, at 967-0781.