All performances are MANDATORY.
Students will only be excused for official religious observances, medical emergencies, or urgent family emergencies. For an absence to be excused, Dr. Zeleski must receive written notification from a parent or guardian prior to the event (or as soon as reasonably possible in the case of a sudden emergency). Family vacations and personal trips are unexcused absences.
The performance schedule is distributed via email and maintained on the website calendar. It is the responsibility of students and parents/guardians to review and plan around these mandatory dates.
Because orchestra is a performance-based, collaborative discipline, an individual's participation cannot be replicated or replaced. No make-up assignment can replace or compensate for an unexcused absence from a concert.
Attire requirements vary depending on the formality of the event. Specific expectations for each performance type are outlined below.
Requirements are determined by Dr. Zeleski before the event and communicated to students and parents. Examples include Halloween costumes, rock-themed shirts with jeans, or custom ensemble shirts.
Students may choose to provide their own uniform, meeting the guidelines below OR borrow a school-issued formal uniform.
Attire: All-black, ankle-length dress OR formal black slacks paired with a solid black formal top.
Footwear: Solid black, closed-toe dress shoes.
Prohibited Items: Leggings, jeans, yoga pants, and sneakers.
Jewelry Policy: Jewelry is strongly discouraged. If worn, it must be subtle (small studs or small hoops; short necklaces; a maximum of one ring). Bracelets are prohibited, as they interfere with proper instrument technique and create unwanted noise.
School-Provided Uniform: Millard West Orchestra can provide a formal, full-length dress upon request. Students must supply their own shoes.
Attire: Formal black dress slacks, a black long-sleeve button-down dress shirt, a black tie, black socks, and solid black dress shoes.
School-Provided Uniform: Millard West Orchestra can provide slacks, a vest, and a tie upon request. Students must supply their own long-sleeve button-down shirt, black socks, and black dress shoes.
At the end of the school year, all borrowed uniform items must be returned in clean, acceptable condition, accompanied by the maintenance fee:
Uniform Maintenance Fee: $20.00
Tie Maintenance Fee: $5.00
Lost or Damaged Items: Charged at the full replacement cost of the item.