Ensemble Expectations

PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE EXPECTATIONS

Ensemble Choices

Students have the opportunity to participate in Band, Choir or Orchestra throughout their years at East Lyme Middle School. All of these ensembles meet as a year long course and perform a minimum of two times per school year.

Classroom Expectations

Every musician is expected to come prepared to every class. Music, instrument (as applies) and pencils are necessary for success. Students are expected to complete adequate practice time on their own at home.

Attendance Policy

Attendance at all concerts is mandatory. All concerts will begin at 6:30 pm unless otherwise stated. Students typically are asked to arrive thirty minutes before the concert (6:00 pm) to warm up. These concerts are the culminating experience for the class and are part of the students' grade. Unexcused absences from a concert will result in lowering of a students' report card grade by one letter. Please mark the dates for all after school rehearsals and concerts on your calendar.

Concert Dress

Concert clothes for all ensembles (with the exception of the Treblemaker Choir which wears all black) are white dress shirt, tie, black pants and dark shoes (if possible) for boys; and white blouse, black pants or skirt for girls. T-shirts, tank tops and flip flops are not acceptable concert dress. This is standard concert dress among musicians and insures a uniform look on stage.

Concert Etiquette

Each student is expected to behave politely both on and off the stage. Adults are expected to demonstrate the same etiquette throughout all performances. Please arrive on time and stay for the entire concert even if your child's group finishes first. All of the performers deserve a full concert audience regardless of where their group performs in the concert order. Please turn off all cell phones once the concert has begun.

Festival Opportunities

Ensemble members are given several opportunities to participate in music festivals outside of the school day. Some of these festivals are:

Eastern Region Middle School Festival

American Choral Directors Association Festival Choirs

Fantastic Festival Adjudication