Parent Meeting

• Christopher CinquiniMusic Director · ccinquini@readingsymphony.org
• David HimesRSO Education Coordinator · education@readingsymphony.org
• Lara HoffertRSYO Parent President
• Still open!Attendance Secretary · see Ways to help

Night

Mondays, September 14 through April 26

Time

7:00–9:15 PM, with a break 8:15–8:30

Doors

6:40 PM. We need help setting up chairs right away, so come on in if you have a few minutes. Students should plan to be unpacked and set up by 6:50.

Where

Berks Catholic HS auditorium, 955 E Wyomissing Blvd, Reading. Occasionally the cafeteria.

Parking

Park in back near the auditorium. Sports can make the lot tight around that time.

Also on the calendar

• The rehearsal order for each Monday is in that night’s calendar event. I usually post it a week or two ahead.
• Sectionals will go on the calendar once I have dates from the RSO.
• String seating re-auditions happen twice, in October before the Winter concert and again in March before the Spring concert.

Please check all of these now! If your student can’t make one, let me know as soon as possible so I have time to find a sub.

• Oct10Sat Prelude, on the RSO concertMandatory Rehearsal 10:00 AM · Performance 7:30 PM Santander Performing Arts Center, 136 N 6th St, Reading Everyone performs at this one, so please tell me right away if you can’t.
• Dec13Sun Winter Concert, with RSJSOMandatory Dress rehearsal 1:00 PM · Concert 4:00 PM Governor Mifflin HS, 101 S Waverly St, Shillington
• Apr23Fri Side-by-Side rehearsalGr. 11–12 7:00 PM Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading
• Apr24Sat Side-by-Side concert with the RSOGr. 11–12 7:30 PM Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading Open to 11th and 12th graders. Younger students are invited if there’s room in their section. I’ll send more details in January.
• May2Sun Spring Concert, with RSJSOMandatory Dress rehearsal 1:00 PM · Concert 4:00 PM Governor Mifflin HS, 101 S Waverly St, Shillington

Mondays with no rehearsal

• Nov 30
• Dec 14
• Dec 21
• Dec 28
• Jan 18
• Feb 15
• Feb 22
• Mar 29

As always, check the calendar for any changes that come up during the season.

Please report absences on the attendance form at least 24 hours ahead unless it’s an emergency. No need to email me separately. Students sign in at rehearsal, and just let me know if you have to leave early.

Unexcused

Three per year, and a fourth is grounds for dismissal. This covers scouting, church activities, other service organizations, family trips, weddings, work, sports, and anything not listed as excused.

Excused

Five per year. Illness, inclement weather, school music events, academic school trips, college testing, and college visits. More than five and a student may be asked to re-audition to stay in the orchestra.

All black, concert formal. Either of these works:

• Black tuxedo or black suit, white shirt, black bow tie, black socks, black dress shoes.
• A long black dress or skirt, no shorter than between the ankle and the calf, with at least capped sleeves and a modest neckline. Or black full-cut dress slacks with a black top, sleeves no shorter than elbow length. Black or neutral stockings and black shoes.

Having trouble finding something? Stage Accents and Southeastern Performance Apparel both carry it, and FeelTimes has some inexpensive options.

• Email comes first. Anything I send, you’ll get by email before anywhere else. Just let me know if there’s another address I should add to the list.
• BAND gets the same thing. I post announcements and paperwork there too, so it’s a good backup if an email gets buried. Students and parents are both welcome. Join here or use code W27-94P-GC.
• The website is run by an outside agency, so I can’t get updates posted there quickly. It basically just has audition information on it, so don’t count on it for anything time sensitive.

Roles we need filled

• Attendance SecretaryKeeps track of absences from the form. Lara can tell you what it’s like.
• Spirit wear coordinatorRuns RSYO sweatshirts and clothing. Dave Himes can help you get it going.

Smaller things, any week

• Come in at 6:40 PM to help set up chairs, or stick around to clean up at 9:15. Setup is the one we always need most.
• Usher at a concert or send in food for a dress rehearsal.
• Lend a hand at auditions.

Spread the word!

It’s not too late to audition! We have openings in all string sections, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, french horn, and percussion. If you know someone who might be interested, have them email me at ccinquini@readingsymphony.org and I’ll help arrange an audition.

Dave Himes is taking this part, and he’s your contact for anything money related.

Tuition

Amount

$295, or $315 if the $20 audition fee has not been paid

Checks to

Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra, given to Dave Himes

Siblings

25% off the 2nd child, 50% off the 3rd. The $20 audition fee is not discounted.

Assistance

If tuition is a concern, email Dave Himes at education@readingsymphony.org. He’ll be glad to help!

Our own concerts: December 13 and May 2

$15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets go on sale two weeks before each concert.

RSO concerts: October 10 and April 24

• RSYO and RSJSO members always get free tickets, but you do have to request them ahead of time.
• Family seats are priced by seat and section. Just ask the RSO office for the 50% “Friends and Family” discount any time, there’s no deadline. Those orders do have a tax and processing fee.
• For April 24, you’re welcome to wait until you know your student is eligible and available.

Ask away while we’re all here! And if something comes to you later, just email me.