Member Guidelines

Whether you are returning for another season, or joining us for the first time (or after some time off from the band), we are happy to have you in the Plymouth Concert Band. We are proud to be an organization with local roots and a deep history in the community, with a mission to embody the finest traditions of the wind ensemble.

This document will help guide you through your first few weeks as a new member and will orient you (or remind you if you are an existing member) of PCB’s membership guidelines and expectations, and resources available to you as a member.

Key pieces of information for you to know or have:

  • Your section leader—if you do not know, ask David or a member of the Board. Your section leader is your primary point of contact and will provide specifics around their expectations for members of their section.

    • For new members, we will ask you to audition. Coordinate that with your section leader and David.

  • Our rehearsal and performance calendar—David will provide a calendar at the start of each concert cycle.

  • Membership dues—check the dues info page for the current season rate.

  • Roster—we keep a personnel roster with basic demographic and interest information for each member. Please provide and/or update your member information when requested or as your information changes.

    • Ensure that you receive our emails. See the Board Secretary if you are not receiving emails.

Membership Guidelines

Administrative

Dues

Membership dues make up a significant portion of PCB’s revenues, and we ask all members to pay full Season dues in a timely manner. Check the Dues info page for the current Season rate. Dues are payable to the PCB Board Treasurer via check (made payable to “Plymouth Concert Band”) or via the website. Payment is requested by the second rehearsal. Payment arrangements are available—inquire with the Treasurer. If joining mid-season, inquire with the Treasurer about your dues rate.

Any additional contribution to the Plymouth Concert Band is tax-deductible and very much appreciated.

Roster

You may be given access to our band roster, which includes personal information like phone numbers and email addresses. We ask that you use this information only for communication of band-specific material, like sectionals, cancellations and pertinent information. Please refrain from passing on information not directly related to the PCB, and from giving this information to anyone outside the band. We simply wish to respect everyone’s privacy. If you have information that you think the band would be interested in, please make a short announcement during rehearsal break, or put up a poster. Thanks for your cooperation.

Bylaws

Organizational Bylaws are posted and available for member review. Changes to Bylaws are reviewed at membership meetings and are subject to a vote by the membership.

Attendance

Your presence at rehearsals and performances is important to the ensemble. Every band member contributes equally to our success. We understand your busy schedule, yet ask for your full commitment to our ensemble, and your best efforts in attending all rehearsals and performances. Attendance will be monitored and personnel notified if poor attendance becomes an issue. Members are responsible to notify Section Leaders of planned absences at the start of a concert cycle. Section Leaders have discretion to determine how many absences are allowable for their section and a particular concert cycle based on the repertoire and needs of the ensemble.

If you are unable to attend a performance, please notify your section leader and the conductor in person and/or via email as soon as possible. If you are unable to attend a rehearsal, please email your section leader and the conductor so he can plan around your absence. Do not miss dress rehearsals unless in case of serious emergency. Make sure that crucial music and equipment makes it to rehearsals/ performances. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Cancellation Procedures

Cancellations sometimes have to be made in the event of severe weather or sudden school closings. If we have to cancel a rehearsal the board will notify members via email. Section leaders are also asked to notify members via phone/text as appropriate. In some cases it is your decision whether to attend rehearsal during severe weather in your area. Make the best decision for your situation.

Sabbatical Leave Policy

Players may be granted an extended leave and be guaranteed a place in their section upon return. Leaves will be granted for up to four months. Please notify the board in writing and four weeks in advance when requesting sabbatical leave. Please make every effort to find a sub. Dues for the year are still required and must be current and paid in full before the leave is granted.

Musical Performance

If you need help with completing your folder, please see our librarian. If no original parts are available, see the librarian, or borrow a copy and make a practice copy for yourself.  Limited copies can be made at Wayzata High School. Please make sure you have a copy of every piece to mark in rehearsal and to practice at home. Please turn in all music immediately after each performance.

What You Can Expect Us

Conductor 

  • Select repertoire for each performance season.

  • Prepare to rehearse and perform the music by the first  rehearsal.

  • Develop a collaborative and collegial atmosphere to keep rehearsals fun and productive.

  • Assist section leaders with part assignments to insure the musical success of the band.

  • Listen to any player concerns, and deal with any issue quickly and equitably.

Section Leader 

Section Leaders are selected based upon leadership ability, availability and communication skills.

  • Work with the conductor in preparing music, assigning parts and achieving balance.

  • Monitor player attendance. Determine the right staffing level and allowances for absences per concert cycle. Maintain communication between members and Conductor regarding musical notes, updates regarding player absences/preparation, or readiness to perform.

  • Conduct at least one sectional during each concert cycle.

  • Notify the Sunshine Committee of special events. 

  • Maintain section communication via phone/email for rehearsal cancellations, etc.

  • Hold players accountable for rehearsal preparation, decorum, and assist players when needed.

  • Assist with roster management for new and departing players (dues, materials, folders, music)

  • Share concerns with the conductor outside of rehearsal and/or at monthly meetings. 

  • Attend Section Leader meetings at the request of the Conductor.

Board Members 

  • Be available to discuss any concerns or ideas with members.

  • Act as good stewards of the organization and make decisions with the membership in mind.

  • Communicate regularly with members.

What We Expect of You

  • Prepare parts for each rehearsal ahead of time. See the repertoire rehearsal schedule.

  • Practice several times between rehearsals to facilitate playing parts at performance tempi.

  • Arrive several minutes before rehearsal to warm up, tune at a strobe and to each other.

  • Provide feedback to section leaders and conductor at the appropriate time.

  • Maintain a collaborative and positive atmosphere to keep rehearsals fun and productive.

  • Observe good rehearsal etiquette. Minimize talking, distractions and wasted time.

  • Attend Sectionals when asked to do so.

  • Participate in Chamber Ensembles when asked to do so.

Audition Process

We ask new players to audition to ensure that there is a match between the ability of the player and the ability of the ensemble. Membership and part placement will be discussed following the audition. This process is not meant to be intimidating, just to ensure the comfort level of the player and the integrity of the ensemble.

Prepare some music that you know for the audition with your section leader and the conductor. You should have something lyrical and something technical showing your best musicianship. You will be asked to play for the conductor and section leader at an upcoming rehearsal. 

Part Assignment

  • Every part is equally important.

  • Parts may be rotated from piece to piece or by concert at the discretion of the section leader. 

  • If required, auditions will be conducted to determine part assignments.

  • Section leaders and the conductor are the final authority on part assignments.

Performance Expectations

Concert Dress Policy

Outdoor Performances: Branded or royal blue polo, khaki pants, shorts or skirts.

Indoor Performances: Concert black

  • Top - Black long sleeve formal dress top (i.e. button up collared shirt, suit/tux jacket, blouse, etc.) If a tux/suit jacket is worn, a black or white button up collared shirt may be worn. A black or white neck or bow tie is allowed.

  • Bottom - Black floor length formal dress bottoms (i.e. tuxedo pants, dress pants, skirt, etc.) No denim.

  • A dress or one-piece item may be utilized to cover both the top and bottom as long as it is a formal garment with long sleeves and is floor length

  • Black socks or hosiery

  • Black, closed toe formal dress shoes. No open toed shoes.

There may be special occasion performances for which special dress code requirements will be announced.

Concert Etiquette

  • Accept applause by facing the audience and smiling.

  • Prepare for the next piece after applause.

  • Refrain from criticizing the performance where audience members are present.

  • Remain quiet and still during the introduction to a piece.

  • Prior to the concert, discuss audience etiquette with family and friends if necessary.

Leave of Absence Policy

  • Players may be granted an extended leave and be guaranteed a place in their section upon return. Leaves will be granted for up to four months. Please notify the board in writing and four weeks in advance when requesting sabbatical leave. Please make every effort to find a sub.

  • Dues for the year are still required and must be current and paid in full before the leave is granted.

Get Involved

  • From time to time, the Board will survey the membership for purposes of providing feedback to the Board, soliciting ideas, and volunteers. Please make it a priority to respond to these surveys—your views are important to us.

  • Consider serving in a volunteer or Board role to expand your contribution to the organization and help to ensure its success.

Chamber Ensembles

  • There are opportunities for members to participate in small ensembles for special occasions, upon request, or for other community events. Please consider participating within your section or across sections for mixed ensembles, especially for events which support our donors, funders, or other community partners. Ensembles may use music from within the ensemble, or may contact the Conductor for music options.

  • Chamber music rehearsals sometimes take place outside of the normal rehearsal schedule. The conductor is willing and able to conduct some large ensembles like a brass choir or a woodwind octet. Let’s all collaborate and make this a unique part of our concert season and community outreach.