Member Handbook - 2024-25
Attendance
Attendance at rehearsal is important for the orchestra to be properly prepared for performance. As with any orchestra, absences are unavoidable. The sooner you report expected absences, the easier the conductor can adjust the rehearsal to adapt to it. Each concert page has a link to report upcoming absences.
Unless by prior arrangement with the conductor, attendance is required for all rehearsals. Players with more than two absences in a concert cycle (and especially the dress rehearsal) may be required to sit out the performance.
If you need to miss a rehearsal due to unforeseen circumstance or illness, please contact Denise Piche’ ─President, MFSO BOD prior to 5:00 PM on the Monday or Thursday of rehearsal so that she may relay to the Music Director. Please do so by sending Denise an email at mfso.pres@gmail.com.
Please refer to the covid guidelines at the bottom of this page.
Preparation
Players are responsible for acquiring and preparing their music for each concert cycle. Ideally, every play has read and practiced every piece for the concert before the first rehearsal. Please discuss with your section leader (or if a section leader, the conductor, any key issues you have, in advance if possible.
Rehearsal Etiquette:
General Comments: Our orchestra is a community of enthusiasts, please show the utmost courtesy and respect for your fellow players.
Rehearsal start time: By the time of the scheduled rehearsal start time, each musician should be unpacked, tuned and warmed up. Please organize music in rehearsal plan order. Please allow at least 15 minutes for this.
Depending on the repertoire, the conductor may ask people to arrive and depart at other times.
Tuning: Tuning begins at the rehearsal start time. Please keep an eye out for the concertmaster. When they stand, please stop all playing and conversation. The more quickly everyone quiets down, faster and better the tuning.
Please avoid conversation durning rehearsals. If conversation is unavoidable, please keep the volume to a minimum.
Clean-up: the orchestra is often required to put chairs and stands away or back in order. Your help is appreciated.
Concert Dress Code
For Season Concerts (Classical and Pops):
Women: Floor length black dress; or floor length black skirt and black blouse/jacket; or floor length black slacks and black jacket/blouse, dark (black) hose and black shoes.
Men: Black Suit; or Tuxedo, or black slacks and black sport coat; and black bow tie and white shirt. Black socks and black shoes.
For Outreach Concerts: (i.e, outdoor concerts, summer concerts, etc)
Women: Knee length black dress; or knee length black skirt and white jacket/blouse; or black slacks and white jacket/blouse.
Men: Black Suit; or Tux, or black slacks and black sport coat; and black tie and white shirt. Black socks and black shoes.
MASKS: Masks are not mandated. However, if you choose to wear a mask, they must be plain black.
NOTE: No jean attire. No strapless or off-shoulder dress. No corsages, boutonniers, hats or excessively ornate accessories without the approval of the orchestra representative.
Concert Etiquette
Call time: Call time is the time when you are fully prepared to perform, including unpacking, warm-up, final adjustments to attire and in your seat. Please tune your instrument prior to coming on stage.
Final Concert Warm-up: Once at your seat and while the house lights are up, please warm up on sections of your music. When the house lights go down, please stop warming up and make sure your music is organized for the performance.
Concertmaster Entrance: Once the house lights are down, the concertmaster makes their entrance and "tunes" the orchestra. Because you should already have been tuned, adjustments should be quick and minor.
Conductor Entrance: Orchestra members who can see the conductor entering from off stage should start tapping their feet and the rest of the orchestra should join in as the conductor makes their entrance. After they make the initial bow, they will indicate the all orchestra members should stand and accept the applause.
Occasionally, the conductor may plan a "fast entrance", which means that they may go directly to the podium to begin the firt piece. Please be ready to play.
Intermission: Please plan in being back in your seat 5 minutes before the end of intermission.
Post finale: Once the concert has ended, please return all music to the bins as directed by the librarian and pack up your instrument. In most cases, the orchestra is responsible for putting away the chair and music stand. The more members who participate in this, the easier and faster things go.
MFSO COVID-19 Guidelines 1/5/2024
A lot has changed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The Orchestra currently follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Here’s what you need to know.
If you were exposed to COVID-19
Regardless of your vaccination status or if you had a previous infection, current CDC guidelines say to wear a mask for 10 days following exposure and get tested at least 5 full days after exposure, even if you don’t develop symptoms. If you take two negative tests 48 hours apart starting on day six, you can remove your mask sooner.
If you suspect you have COVID-19
If you are sick and suspect you have COVID-19, isolate from others and take a test (learn about COVID-19 testing and order free tests here). You may choose a PCR test (usually taken by a healthcare provider) or antigen test (rapid, at-home tests); if you use an antigen test and your result is negative, test again after 48 hours. If you test negative, you can end your isolation.
If you test positive
If you test positive for COVID-19, the CDC says to stay home at least five days. You should also wear a mask if there are other people in your home; use a separate bathroom if possible.
If you had no symptoms, the CDC says you can leave isolation after day five. If you had symptoms and they’re improving, you can also leave isolation after day five. However, if your symptoms are not improving, you should continue to isolate until you are fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication, or until your symptoms start to improve.
Isolation Calculator
If you are ever unsure what to do, follow the CDC’s Isolation and Exposure Calculator. Simply answer a few questions and it will tell you the date you can leave your home and how long you must wear a mask.
Please do your best to stay healthy and take precautions to help stop the spread of covid, flu, and colds from infiltrating the orchestra.
Let us all stay healthy in 2024.