CONFLICTS WITH REHEARSALS

Extra-curricular rehearsals are necessary for large ensembles to prepare for our performances. We try to limit them to 2-3 per concert, but the fact is we could never put on a quality performance without them.  As with any other activity, every member of an ensemble is important.  Sometimes we hear "I'm sorry I have to miss, but it's ok, I know my part." but that is missing the point of these rehearsals. These rehearsals are about putting the whole performance together (the sum of all the parts), which requires every member to be there. Thus, we have an attendance policy on these rehearsals that precedes this section in the syllabus. Attendance at these rehearsals is required and a component of a student's grade.Inevitably, our music students lead busy lives and sometimes conflicts arise. Some of these conflicts are avoidable, and some are not. It is the aim of the attendance policy to try and be flexible within reason for the unavoidable conflicts, and for students to take ownership of the ones that are.  Below is a list of several common conflicts students run into and how to handle them.  

Sports Conflicts: Sports are an important part of the culture here at NBHS. The music department supports athletics in various ways, most notably with our marching band performing at football games and our pep band performing at basketball games but also with flexibility when conflicts arise.  

Conflicts with Practices: Conflicts with sports practices can give our music kids anxiety. Kids want to make everyone happy and they feel like they're letting either the music director or their coach down, and we understand that. Nevertheless, it is an athletic department policy that conflicts with practices defer to the music department rehearsals. The rationale:

• Most sports teams practice every day.  We rehearse as a full group only a few times a concert cycle. 

• We are an academic class, not an extracurricular activity. 

• We do not rehearse together to learn our parts; we rehearse to put it all together. It is important that everyone be there.  

The athletic director is aware of our expectations, but some of the coaches are not. We encourage students to make their coaches aware of any conflicts as far ahead of time as possible, and not to get into an argument with a coach if he/she says you can't miss a practice. Simply say, "Ok, I'll let my director know what you said, thank you." and then notify your director. They will take it from there and come to an arrangement with your coach. 

You will not be punished or penalized by your coach in any way. If you do feel that you are punished for attending a music practice (like all of a sudden you found yourself benched), again, do not put yourself in the middle. Let us know, and we will speak to the coach and/or athletic director.

Remember, music and athletics support each other.  We do that by being consistent, flexible, and communicative.  

Conflicts with Games: To support athletics, we recognize that games are a time when your team needs you. Therefore, a student can be exempted from attending a rehearsal if they have a game that conflicts with the rehearsal.  It is expected that if you are able to attend a partial rehearsal that you do  so. We will handle these on a case by case basis as well, and it is the student's responsibility to alert their music director of the conflict at least two weeks prior to a rehearsal or performance, if not earlier.  

The only exception to this is for the dress rehearsal and the concert itself.  If you have a game on one of those nights, you are expected to be at the dress rehearsal and/or concert. Should you choose to not participate in the culminating performance experience of this performing ensemble, then there will be no make-up assignment. Neither the dress rehearsal or the performance can be recreated. It should also be understood that if you are absent from the dress rehearsal you will not participate in the performance associated with that rehearsal.  

Conflicts with work: Some things, you do not have control over—like your athletic schedule—but work is something you do have control over if you manage your time and calendar effectively.  

It is your responsibility to let your manager know ahead of time that you will not be available on these dates/times. Approaching a director and saying you tried to find coverage but could not does not excuse you from missing a rehearsal.

If you think having a director speak with your manager will help them understand the situation, we are happy to do so on your behalf. We can usually let your manager know that this is a mandatory school activity for a class, not a club. You have to be fair to your manager, however, and provide them the dates well in advance.  

Other Conflicts: We give a window in September to let us know if there are any potential conflicts from doctor appointments, dance, and other activities with the dates provided at the beginning of the year. We have to treat students with consistency or having an attendance policy does not mean anything.  We try to be reasonably flexible but still true to the expectations that these performing groups require these rehearsals, and the success of the group requires that all of its members are present.  It is not about you knowing about your part; it is about your contribution to the ensemble.