Commitments

Generous scholarship assistance is available on a financial need basis. Scholarship applications will be available after the audition process is complete and will automatically be mailed to every student who accepts an orchestra position within the program.

Each musician pays an ensemble fee to participate in Youth Symphony programs and secures two charitable contributions. Parents agree to volunteer ten hours of service to the Youth Symphony or make an additional financial contribution in place of volunteer hours. Because the Youth Symphony is strongly committed to affording opportunity for every qualified musician, scholarships are available to assist qualified musicians with financial need.

Rehearsals take place weekly during the school year on Sunday afternoons.  Most concerts take place on Sundays, with a few exceptions.  Members must also participate in their school band or orchestra programs, if available.  Private study is encouraged.

School Program Participation
The Musician agrees to participate in his/her school music program if available, on the instrument that he/she plays in the Youth Symphony. For example, a Musician who plays a string instrument in the Youth Symphony must be in the school orchestra, if available, and a Musician who plays a wind, brass or percussion instrument in the Youth Symphony must be in band, if available. 

Any Musician who wishes to participate in Youth Symphony and NOT participate in his/her school music program must submit in writing to the Youth Symphony a formal letter (sent via US Mail) requesting a School Participation Waiver. The Youth Symphony will then contact the school music instructor to inform them of the Musician's request and seek recommendation of the public school music educator. The Youth Symphony grants waivers very infrequently. Musicians will be informed of a decision regarding the waiver. The Youth Symphony reserves the right to grant or deny a waiver at any time during the season.

Fee Commitment for 2011-2012

Ensemble	Ensemble Fee	Charitable Contribution	Volunteer Contribution
Symphony Orchestra	$390	2 @ $60 per family	10 volunteer hours or $125
Academy Orchestra	$360	2 @ $60 per family	10 volunteer hours or $125
Philharmonic Orchestra	$340	2 @ $60 per family	10 volunteer hours or $125
Symphonette Orchestra	$260	2 @ $60 per family	10 volunteer hours or $125
String Orchestra	$260	2 @ $60 per family	10 volunteer hours or $125

Family Plan
Families with more than one Musician pay full tuition on the most advanced.  Each additional Musician receives a 20% discount on the ensemble fee.

Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students whose families demonstrate financial need. Scholarship applications will be available after the audition process is complete.

Credit Card Payments and Payment Plans
New for the 2011-2012 season, the Youth Symphony will accept credit card payments. More details will be listed online as soon as they are available.

Late Payment Penalties
There will be a $25 penalty added to accounts not paid in full by December 1, 2011, unless a payment plan has been arranged. After December 1, the late fee will be $40.

ALL YOUTH SYMPHONY FEES, INCLUDING ENSEMBLE FEES, CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTIONS, ARE
NON-REFUNDABLE.

Charitable Contributions
Formerly known as Business Sponsors, Charitable Contributions enable the Youth Symphony to maintain reasonable program tuition. An engaged community of contributors is crucial in developing awareness of the program. All families are required to secure two Charitable Contributions at a giving level of $60 (or one contribution at the $120 level). Contributions are due in the Youth Symphony office by December 1, 2011.

About Soliciting a Charitable Contribution:

• Contributions may come from individuals, parents, grandparents, a family or business.
• We are unable to accept contributions from political campaigns or organizations that exist to support candidates for public office.
• Explain to the prospective contributor what your participation in the Youth Symphony means to you.
• A donor card must be returned with the contribution to ensure that the gift is credited to your account.
• All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law and beginning in the 2011-12 season, those at the $120 level will be acknowledged in the Youth Symphony program book*

* contributions made at a level of $60 and above from July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011 will be listed in the 2011-12 program book; contributions made at a level of $120 or above after June 30, 2011 will appear on a rolling basis in the program book relative to contribution date.