The Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis has drawn players from all walks of life and brings music to people of all ages and interests. Our orchestra has many longtime members, but we also have new young talented players who we welcome warmly. We invite your interest in playing with the Orchestra. Please contact us and let us answer your questions or if you are interested in auditioning.
Each orchestra member pays dues of $135 per year. Nobody is turned away for financial reasons, however. Alternatives to monetary dues can be arranged. If you would like to make alternative arrangements, please discuss them with the orchestra manager or the board president.
Responsibilities of Members
ATTENDANCE: Members are expected to attend all rehearsals and concerts. As we strive for excellence, having everyone at a rehearsal is important. If you must miss a rehearsal or a concert please contact your sectional leader and/or the Music Director.
● As a general rule, missing one rehearsal per concert cycle is acceptable; missing two or more rehearsals in a cycle should be discussed with your section leader and may result in not being able to play a concert, depending on the situation.
● We strive for consistent member participation throughout the season so that we develop musically as an ensemble. We prefer that members commit to the entire season. If your schedule requires you to miss more than one concert in a season, please discuss with your
section leader and the Music Director.
SUBSTITUTES: Wind, brass and percussion players are responsible for arranging for substitutes for any rehearsals they will miss, with advance notice to the Music Director and approval of the section principal. In consultation with the Music Director, it may be arranged for a position not to be covered for a rehearsal. Should any wind, brass, or percussion player need to miss a concert, selection of a substitute for
that concert must be approved by the principal and/or the Music Director.
PUNCTUALITY: Members should be present and ready to play at the announced rehearsal start time. The call time for each concert will be no less than 30 minutes prior to the concert start time; any changes to this will be announced at the dress rehearsal or the last regular rehearsal prior to the concert.
REHEARSALS: A schedule of rehearsals and performances for the year will be published at the beginning of the season. Emergency variations will be announced as far in advance as possible.
MUSIC: All music must be at every rehearsal and concert. Music must be left on the stage or in the music box after the final performance of a program. Marks on the music are to be made carefully in soft pencil. Lost parts will be paid for by the assignee.
DUES: Orchestra membership dues are to be paid by October 1 st . If you need to make alternative arrangements, please discuss this with the Orchestra Manager or the Board President.
AUDITIONS: Section leaders should work with the Music Director and Orchestra Manager to arrange auditions as needed.
CONCERT DRESS: All members will wear basic black (for example, long or mid-length skirt or pants; shirt with sleeves; cardigan or jacket optional).
PROMOTION OF OTHER ACTIVITIES: COM members may promote other concerts/activities during the rehearsal announcement times or via our COM Facebook page. We ask members to respect the privacy of our COM member list and not use it for email promotions.
ILLNESS: In the event of illness, members should use common sense, follow any applicable public guidelines, and stay home if you are sick.
Adopted by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors on 9/2/1981
Revised by the Board of Directors on 6/25/2017
Revised by the Board of Directors on 7/23/2024
Revised by the Board of Directors on 7/16/2025
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