MAYO PARTICIPANT HANDBOOK


The Musical Arts Youth Organization's mission is to provide musical training and performance opportunities for young musicians, to offer free concerts for the community, and to nurture a love for music in our youth.  MAYO's Music Now Project is a community project for south central Indiana children sponsored by the only non-profit youth symphony serving south central Indiana, the Southern Indiana Youth Symphony, Inc.  Since its founding in 2000, it has played an important role in the cultural life of Bloomington and surrounding counties.

EMERGENCY AND ATTENDANCE HOTLINE (email, text, or phone)
Helen Ford
812-219-8606


PROGRAMS
  • Symphony will feature a string ensemble in the fall and combine winds and brass in the spring.
  • Chamber Music is a small ensemble program comprised of up to six musicians. Students can join in a pre-formed group or be placed in an ensemble according to skill level.
  • Jazz is a small ensemble for musicians interested in jazz.
  • Rock is a small ensemble that focuses not only on performance but also the business of rock music. Students will learn to market themselves by creating a name, logo and more.
  • Boys & Girls Club programs are semester-based for members of the Club and may include beginning rock, string training, and music theory.
  • Art Through Interpretation is a unique partnership with public school art teachers and students where works of art created while listening to music are displayed at local venues.

MEMBERSHIP
  • Auditions: Participant Membership in MAYO is decided through a placement audition process. Students through 12th grade.  Students must audition each year. The audition process is decided by the artistic director of that ensemble.
  • Seating (as applicable per ensemble): Seating and/or ensemble placement is decided at the beginning of the fall and/or spring semester. The conductor will designate seating for all players. Seating and ensemble placement can change from semester to semester.
  • Music: Students will receive one copy of the program's music at the beginning of the season. It is the students' responsibility to bring their music and music stand to each rehearsal. Students who lose music will be charged a replacement fee. All music is to be turned in after each concert or per your conductor's instructions.
  • Partners for Schools: All MAYO Participant Members are strongly encouraged to play in their orchestra/band programs at their schools. MAYO is an extra-curricular organization open to a wide-range of students from Monroe and surrounding counties.  Public, private and home-school students are eligible to become MAYO Participant Members.
  • Attendance Policy: In order to take advantage of the full potential of MAYO programs, each student is expected to attend all rehearsals/coachings, dress rehearsals, and concerts.  If a student cannot attend a rehearsal/coaching for any reason, the director must be notified by phone or email at least 24 hours in advance. In the case of an emergency, an absence may be requested with short notice, but notification must be made to the director by phone (voicemail) or preferred method discussed at rehearsal. To maximize learning time in the rehearsal/coaching, make an effort to arrive a few minutes early and have your instrument ready before the start of the session. It is expected that each student will prepare for his/her program with regular practice. Details about practice techniques along with a list of assignments will be either included in the student's music folder, or given weekly by your conductor. All students must check in with a MAYO Representative prior to each rehearsal.
  • Concert Attire: The concert attire will vary from ensemble to ensemble.  Please check with your conductor.
  • Communication: MAYO members are responsible for checking the MAYO Announcements on the website on a weekly basis.  Sign-up for the weekly blast (email news) is optional and requires the member to enter his/her email address (parents can sign up too). The weekly blast includes all important member announcements including rehearsals, concert information, board news, and invitations to special meetings.
  • Member Benefits: Student Members enjoy weekly rehearsals, access to special clinics and workshops throughout the year, and the opportunity to perform and/or attend MAYO-sponsored events.

GOVERNANCE

  • Membership: MAYO is 501(c)(3) non-profit member organization. All musicians who register with MAYO become participant members of the organization. Parents are granted participant membership too! Patrons can become a participant member by contributing funds at a designated level. Participant members are eligible to attend the Annual Meeting and required to attend the Annual Organization Meeting (also known as the parent meeting that is usually held on the first rehearsal of the season). Adult members (parents or students age 18 or older) are allowed to vote on items that pertain to their ensemble and as presented at the organizational meeting.  Parents or community patrons can become more involved by submitting a nomination to join the board of directors.  Regular board meetings are open to any member. (See the board page for a published schedule of meeting dates and special sessions). 
  • Auditions for potential participant members are held before the beginning and middle of the season. The director of the ensemble determines the audition process.
  • Finances: It costs about $35,000 per season operate this organization. Expenses include music rental, rehearsal and performance venues, production materials, and honorariums.  We manage a tight budget and work hard to get community sponsors, annual donations from board and community members, and grants. Your tuition is a portion of the overall budget. Tuition is non-refundable. Tuition is paid per semester or trimester.
  • Program Ads: The ensembles produce a professional produced program that is seen by hundreds of patrons throughout the season. The advertising rates are very reasonable. We encourage members and their parents' employers to purchase an ad.
  • Board of Directors: The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, listed as "member" in the by-laws, that concerns itself with all aspects, artistic and fiduciary, of the operation of the organization and its associated activities. The Board of Directors derives its authority from the by-laws of the corporation. The Board consists of 5-9 members with parent positions available not to exceed a 3 community to 2 parent ratio. The Board meets periodically throughout the season. The board membership, meeting schedule and recent minutes are available to any participant member by contacting the office. The Board intends to operate transparently. Participant members are welcome to observe general board meetings. Occasionally, the Board holds Special Session meetings.  These meetings are closed to the general membership.
  • Participant members over the age of 18 (or parents) are required to attend the annual organizational meeting. At this meeting, parents can decided important issues related to their ensemble. Participant members may vote on issues to their ensemble at the annual organizational meeting.