Absences will be handled as stated in the district student handbook. Students who are absent during the school day have no additional formal responsibility to contact the director once the appropriate steps have been taken to notify the campus attendance office. However, it is very much appreciated if the parent could email the director prior to or on the date of the classroom absence. 

Class material covered is the responsibility of the student, and any missed rehearsal segment is expected to be addressed by the student on his or her own accord. 

Students who miss a significant number of in-school or after-school rehearsals for excused or unexcused reasons may not be allowed to perform at the concert. This affects students who miss:

• More than 30% of the classes in the 6 weeks leading up to a concert.

  • • Odd/Even or A/B classes: 5 or more class periods

    • Daily: 10 or more class periods

• Unexcused absences from any required dress rehearsals before the concert.

Students who miss too much class to perform will be required to make a recording as described in the grading policy section and submit it before the day of the concert in lieu of their concert grade.

Sectional rehearsals (TCH Chamber and Sinfonia only), dress rehearsals and performances before or after school are graded class requirements for orchestra – they are not optional. Good communication between the director, students and parents can prevent misunderstandings. 

Students are expected to stay for the entire rehearsal or performance. 

While orchestra is an elective course, it must be given the same priority as any other class. Referring to the orchestra calendar on the TCO web site can greatly assist in preventing scheduling conflicts. Conflicts with other school activities occasionally happen and can often be worked out. However, clubs, organizations, tutorials, and make-up work should be completed outside of orchestra time.

If the student has a conflict that was planned before the required event is announced, the parent must communicate this conflict in writing to the director at the beginning of the school year.

For conflicts with events added later to the orchestra calendar, parents have 10 days to notify the director of the conflict.

Conflicts will be handled on an individual basis. Be aware that not all absences will be “excused.” The director retains the right to approve or disapprove the absence as excused. 

Students who have after-school jobs are expected to communicate with their employer and request that their work schedules be arranged to accommodate all rehearsals and performances. Employers should be informed that orchestra is a class, not an extra-curricular activity. Student employment is not an excused reason for missing class.

Excused Absences 

Absences and tardies for a rehearsal or performance are only excused when they meet the following rare criteria and parents immediately send a written note informing the director. Verbal or written statements from students are not considered formal notice.

A makeup assignment will be required in lieu of a missing performance event. Please refer to the grading policy for more information.

The following reasons for missing a sectional rehearsal / performance event are excused:

• The student is too ill to attend school.
  The parent should send a written note from the doctor as soon as possible. In most cases, a signed doctor’s medical excuse will exempt the student from making up the grade. Students who are present at school both the day-of and the day-after the rehearsal/event will not be excused without a note from the doctor.

• There is a death in the family or comparable family emergency.
  The parent should send a written note to the director as soon as possible. The student will be exempt from making up the grade. 

• Religious holiday.
  Established religious holidays are excused but should be communicated in writing by the parent at the beginning of the year.

• Special circumstances that are pre-approved by the director.

Unexcused Absences

The following reasons for missing a performance are unexcused:

• Work

• Oversleeping

• Transportation not arranged

• Non-emergency appointments

• Driver’s license appointments

• College visits

• Tutorials and club meetings

• Makeup work / tests / assignments for other classes

• Any absence without prior notification

An unexcused absence from a performance could result in any of the following at the director’s discretion:

• Loss of chair position / future solo assignments

• Exclusion from orchestra social events

• Exclusion from a contest trip or event

The student will not be allowed to complete a makeup assignment and will receive a zero grade for the performance.