Musician Handbook - 2024-25        9/23/24

The Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra (MFSO) exists to bring quality music to the greater Menomonee Falls area and to provide an opportunity for capable musicians from all walks of life to continue performing and sharing their love of music with the community. The MFSO is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization.

Membership

Membership in the orchestra is available based on its needs for qualified musicians through an audition process with adjudication by the Music Director, Section Principal, and/or audition committee member(s). Titled Chairs will be auditioned by the Music Director, sections member(s), and at least one principal from a related instrument family. Depending on section needs, musicians will be placed in the orchestra or put on a substitute list. Some sections rotate part assignments. All part assignments are coordinated between the section leaders, personnel manager, and the Music Director. The Music Director has the final decision on part assignments and seating.

All members receive their own music and are expected to take care of it and return it following each concert, as directed by the librarian. Although string players may have copies with bowings, usually all wind and percussion players have originals! Also, we often rent or borrow music. Every member is expected to take care of their music. If music is not turned in, any costs involved may be passed on to the member who did not turn in their music.

Currently, there are no member dues required to be a member of this community orchestra. However, we ask that all members help promote the concerts to family, friends, and co-workers through word of mouth and social media. We also ask that members help promote the ad and sponsorship campaign and to participate in any fundraisers that the board decides to do, including ticket sales for all concerts and the annual raffle baskets put together by sections of the orchestra.

If you decide to take a leave of absence or need to resign from the orchestra, we ask that you give at least a month’s notice, so that a replacement can be found. The leave of absence or resignation request must be in writing and emailed to the personnel manager and the music director for final approval.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are held in the band room at Hamilton High School in Sussex, typically on Monday evenings, from 7:00 PM-9:15 PM, with a 10-minute break. A typical season has rehearsals from September through April. Please see the Member Page on the MFSO website for the schedule of rehearsals for this season.

All members are expected to be seated and warmed up before the tuning process begins promptly at 7:00 PM. During tuning and all announcements, members are asked to please refrain from talking or making unnecessary noise.
Please Note: Do not wear perfumes or colognes to rehearsals or concerts.

All members are asked to help with set-up and take-down as directed.

Each rehearsal is important, and all members are expected to attend all rehearsals. While we understand that there will be times you need to miss a rehearsal, we ask that you make attendance a priority. If you miss two or more rehearsals during a concert rotation, the music director has the option of changing your parts, having someone cover for you, or having you not perform on the concert.

  • The Music Director makes every effort to make MFSO rehearsals relaxed and fun, while still upholding professional standards and expecting intelligent and respectful behavior from the musicians. Maintaining focus on the Music Director and the music are key factors.
  • We request that members refrain from making critical comments about the performance of other members. Addressing individual members’ development needs is the responsibility of the Music Director. If you have an issue with another member, please follow the Grievance Process outlined below.
  • Always bring a pencil with an eraser to rehearsals.
  • Questions or interruptions at dress rehearsals should be kept to those of critical importance. We rely on each member’s courtesy and good judgement in these matters!
  • An occasional joke or “wise-crack” is also part of our rehearsal style. Conversations among groups of people during rehearsal or other sideline activities may be disrupting and should be limited to break time or before and after rehearsal.
  • Please adhere to the communication protocol hierarchy. Please proceed in the following manner: Section leader; Personnel Manager; Music Director; a member of the MFSO Board of Directors.

For musical or technical reasons, additional rehearsals may be scheduled if deemed necessary by the Music Director. Your utmost effort to attend is appreciated.

Report Absent from Rehearsals  

If you need to miss a rehearsal due to unforeseen circumstances or illness, contact Pam Kirk – Orchestra Personnel Manager, before 5:00 PM on the day of rehearsal so she may inform the Music Director.  Please do so by sending Pam an email at mfso.personnelmgr@gmail.com. Please include your name, instrument and reason for absence.

Cancellation of rehearsal

If a rehearsal is canceled due to inclement weather, illness or other reason, all members will be notified as soon as a decision is made via email and a notice will appear on the Member Page of the MFSO website. If rehearsal is not canceled but you do not feel safe driving, please inform the personnel manager as outlined above.

Non-Harassment/Discrimination Policy

The Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra values all our musicians and believes all individuals should be treated equally. As such, the MFSO has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of harassment or discrimination. Any musician who feels they have been harassed, discriminated against, or otherwise treated negatively, should report the incident to one of the following: the Personnel Manager, the President of the MFSO Board of Directors, or to the Music Director.

Concerts

Typically, the MFSO performs three concerts each season at the Hamilton Fine Arts Center, and our annual Valentine’s concert in February at Davian’s. Dress rehearsals are usually the evening prior, beginning at 7:00 PM (again, as with regular rehearsals, please be seated and warmed up prior to tuning at 7:00 PM); and concerts begin at 7:30 PM. Unless announced differently for a concert, all members are expected to be at the venue no later than 7:00 PM and ready for tuning before 7:30 PM.
Please see the member page on the MFSO website for the dates of this season’s concerts.

All members are asked to help with set-up and take-down as requested by the Director of Operations. Again, please remember to return all music.

Concert Attire

Click here for details on concert attire.

Please Note: Do not wear perfumes or colognes to rehearsals or concerts.
For Summer concerts and other “themed concerts”, dress might be more casual at the sole discretion of the Music Director. For community concerts, members should wear nice or business casual attire.

Grievance Process

The MFSO wants all musicians to enjoy their experience as a member. If a situation arises, we ask that you please talk to your section leader, unless the situation involves your section leader. If a satisfactory response is not received from your section leader, or if your situation involves your section leader, please put your complaint in writing to the personnel manager (mfso.personnelmgr@gmail.com). The personnel manager will talk with the President of the Board and/or the Music Director to determine a course of action. All complaints will be addressed promptly.

Removal from Orchestra

Failure to follow the above expectations, missing too many rehearsals, missing a dress rehearsal or concert without prior permission, disruptive or negative behavior, or other conduct interfering with the smooth running of the orchestra to ensure a safe, creative, and pleasant space and experience for all orchestra members and audiences may result in being placed on probation or dismissal from the orchestra. This notification will be made in writing by the Music Director with input from the Personnel Manager and the MFSO Board of Directors if needed.

A musician may contest this probation or removal by responding in writing to the Personnel Manager and the Music Director. As a final step, the musician may then contact the President of the Board to seek a resolution by the Board of Directors.

Get Involved!

A community orchestra is dependent on its members and volunteers to be successful. Please consider sharing your other talents to ensure the continued success of the MFSO. Some ways you can become involved: joining the board of directors; encouraging someone you know with the correct skills, to join the board of directors; publicity; growth of audience; Young Artist Competition; the Side-by-Side Invitational; recruiting needed musicians to audition for the orchestra; and grant writing. Please contact the Personnel Manager or any MFSO Board Member if you are interested, and your name will be passed along to the correct individual, who will then contact you.

Website: www.mfso.net (Member Password: CODA#2024)

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