REHEARSAL/CONCERT/PERFORMANCES
All students are expected to prepare the concert material for each week’s rehearsal in advance of the rehearsal. Consistent practice of assigned music at home is crucial if the ensembles are to be at their very best.

CONCERTS
All three orchestras will perform on at least two concerts per year. Tentative rehearsal schedules are enclosed. Although schedules are always subject to change, members and parents will receive written notice of any changes and/or additions to the schedule as far in advance as possible.

CONCERT ATTIRE

• Gentlemen: Black tuxedo (or black coat and trousers), white shirt, black socks, black shoes, and black bow tie.
• Ladies: LONG (floor length) black skirt without a long slit or dress slacks with black long-sleeved or ¾ length sleeved blouse, or a long-sleeved black dress (no low necklines), black hose, black shoes, and minimal jewelry. Absolutely NO flip-flops!!!!! Absolutely NO dress or skirt above, at, or just below the knee will be accepted. It does not look appropriate on stage.

A “concert attire clothing exchange” is facilitated by the LYSO office each season. If you have outgrown your concert attire, you are welcome to donate it to the exchange by bringing your items by the LSO Office.

LYSO CONCERTS

 ALL LYSO members are required to stay for the entire concert. Unless there is a family emergency and a parent speaks with the LYSO Program Director prior to the concert, the LYSO member is NOT to leave the concert until the Symphony Orchestra has completed their program. Each LYSO musician is expected to be there to support the other musicians. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!  

LYSO CONCERT TICKETS

 Ticket sales are very important to the financial health of the organization. The Civic Center Theater seats approximately 1400 people, and a full house is a marvelous reward for the many hours of hard work. TICKETS FOR ALL LYSO CONCERTS WILL BE SOLD AT THE LSO OFFICES AND AT THE DOOR. The October 14^th Fall Concert tickets and the March 9^th Spring Concert tickets will go on sale 2 weeks before each concert.  

POST-CONCERT RECEPTIONS

A reception will be held after the Fall Concert. This reception will be organized and hosted by Lubbock Symphony Guild Youth Orchestra committee members. It is extremely important for all students and parents to attend and to thank these wonderful volunteers for their hard work. 

LUBBOCK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT TICKETS

Education is an important part of the LYSO Program; this involves attendance at LSO concerts,

• members of the Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras will be required to attend a minimum of three of the five LSO MasterWorks concerts being presented by the LSO during the 2007-2008 season.
• members of the Prelude Strings will be required to attend one of the five LSO MasterWorks concerts being presented by the LSO during the 2007-2008 season.

When concert requirements have been met, you will receive a LYSO patch for the current year. 

Reserving LSO MasterWorks Tickets

All LYSO Orchestra members will be GIVEN tickets to the LSO Masterworks concerts! A letter about the concert with an order form will be handed out at the rehearsal prior to the concert date.  If rehearsals are not taking place during a MasterWorks concert, you can access the information by going to http://www.lubbocksymphony.org.

The tickets will not be mailed or given out before the concert however, they will be held at the Civic Center Theater LYSO Box Office to be picked up when the member checks in the night of the concert. If a LYSO Program Orchestra member would like to purchase tickets for another student or parent, he/she should indicate this on the order form and can be ordered for the same low price of $10.00 per ticket. Extra tickets MUST be paid for when you sign up. You will be charged a $12 fee if you reserve a ticket but fail to pick it up. Another important option that is available to ALL LYSO Program Orchestra members but is not available to the general public is the following:

Student or adult season tickets for the LSO MasterWorks concerts may be purchased in the student section (Standard Section) for $50.00 per person.

This offer is for LYSO families only. Any student or parent wishing to take advantage of this special policy may do so by returning the enclosed LSO Season Ticket order form. This season ticket does not include any Pops Concert or any other concerts outside of the regular MasterWorks series. The LYSO student’s complimentary ticket will be issued with the paid subscription to ensure adjoining seats.

 If your parents have season tickets or you get tickets from someone else, you must check-in at the LYSO Box Office to receive credit for attending the concert.  

LYSO CHAMBER ENSEMBLES

Members of the 2007-2008 LYSO Symphony Orchestra will be invited to sign up to participate in a chamber ensemble. There is a $75.00 registration fee for the ensembles. Information will be given at the beginning of the season. These groups will have opportunities to perform in the community and in the Schoenfeld Chamber Concert that is presented in the spring.

CONCERTO COMPETITION

As is listed on the enclosed schedule at the beginning of each season, auditions are held within the Symphony Orchestra for the honor of performing as a featured soloist. Information will be given to all Symphony Orchestra members and private lesson teachers in January 2008.

Concerto Competition Information

• Competitors must be a current member of the 2007-2008 Symphony Orchestra, who has not yet graduated from high school and is not currently a senior. No ensembles will be permitted to audition.
• Winners are selected by a judging staff; the number of winners is not pre-determined.
• First place winners from the previous season are not eligible to win the competition for the following season. However, they are encouraged to audition if they desire the opportunity to compete and possibly perform on the LYSO Schoenfeld Chamber Concert.
• The student and his/her applied teacher must select a concerto (or concerto movement) or solo piece that has a readily available orchestral accompaniment.  
• The Symphony Orchestra Conductor must approve the competition piece before a student can audition.
• If music rental is necessary, due to budgetary restraints, LYSO will pay up to $150. If you are chosen, any amount above that will be your responsibility. More detailed information will be given outin January.

EXPERIENCING THE CONCERT

 ♫         When the lights dim, please do not whisper.  The musicians need absolute silence to give their best performance. We ask that you refrain from any talking, singing, whispering, or humming during the performance. Please remember that no drink or food is allowed in the theatre. 

♫         When the music begins, please listen closely. An audience shows appreciation with careful listening and watching during the performance and applauding once the performance has ended. If you’re wondering when to applaud, simply watch the conductor. When his hands are lowered and he turns around to face the audience, you may clap!  It is important to listen during the music and when someone is speaking. 

♫         Use your imagination. As you listen to the concert, let your imagination take you wherever it wants to go. Watch the performance, look at the different instruments, observe the musicians, listen to the different sounds coming from the orchestra. Music tells a story. The story it speaks to you is up to you and your imagination.  

♫         While the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra and the LYSO orchestras welcome children of all ages to participate, explore and enjoy our performances, some find the experience a bit challenging. All these performances are recorded. Parents of young children, if they get fussy and loud, please step out into the lobby during the performance. The audience members and musicians would appreciate it very much. 

Thank you for your cooperation.