STANDS: In Orchestras, two students share one music stands, except for Bassists. ASSIGNMENT OF STANDS: At the beginning of the school year, the Director assigns pairs of students to stands based on skill level, and/or peer tutoring. SEATING RE-ARRANGEMENTS: The Director sets seating assignments at the beginning of the year, and then makes random seating adjustments throughout the year as needed. NEW CHALLENGE RULES (Updated 12/2/2010) CHALLENGE DEFINITION: Students compete for seating at higher stands. Challengers challenge anyone playing a like instrument, in a chair higher than their own. PURPOSE: Challenges make it possible for a student to move into a higher chair in their section, and for II Violinists to move into the I Violin section. This is can be a fun way to encourage students to practice. Challenges are NOT required, nor are they encouraged. The Director will make random seating changes throughout the year. BEST TIMES TO CHALLENGE: At the beginning of the year, and shortly after the Winter Concert. CHALLENGE DATES: Challenge dates are set by the Director. No challenges ever take place on, or after the sixth Wednesday before a concert or District Orchestra Assessment. CHALLENGE LIMIT: Challengers get only ONE chance to challenge per school year. CHALLENGE LOG SIGN UP: To be binding, the names of both participants, date of the challenge, and music to be used, must be recorded on the Challenge Sign-Up Sheet. If not done in its entirety, the challenge will be void. ACCEPTING CHALLENGES: Challenger requests must be accepted by the Challengee. If not, see Director. CHALLENGE CONTENT: Most challenges will be sight-reading, and completed on the same, or next, school day. New music challenges should allow several days, but no longer than one week, for participants to practice. MANNERS: Both participants must show sportsmanlike behavior. Victors may lose their chair if unsportsmanlike. ABSENCE: Challengers cannot win by default. If the person being challenged has an excused absence on the challenge date, it may either be rescheduled or canceled. CHANGING SEATS: If the challenger wins, participants change seats and music folders immediately. They do not need to change sheet music if a II Violin moves into the I Violin section, unless the challengee will be serving in the II Violin section. Any persons between the two Challenge participants remain unaffected. CHALLENGE ADJUDICATION: The Director’s decision is final. Privately, each participant may discuss his or her own performance with the Director. ADJUDICATION DISCLAIMER: There are instances when musical factors being essentially equal, when non-musical considerations help the Director to determine chair placement. Examples may include: trading chairs in case of a tie, leadership considerations, participation in private lessons, personality compatibility, participation in extra-curricular musical ensembles, and seniority. SOLO AUDITIONS (See "Auditions" in the Sidebar) |
Challenges |