Attendance Policy

1. Two excused absences are allowed for illness per semester.
2. One excused absence is allowed for conflict with schedule per semester.
3. Absence from mandatory and dress rehearsals can result in the child not participating in the concerts.
4. Attendance at ALL concerts is mandatory.
5. More than two excused absences OR one unexcused absence may result in the child being asked to withdraw from the group.
6. Absence from a concert constitutes an unexcused absence. Please note that an unexcused absence CAN result is dismissal from the group.

EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY WILL BE GRANTED IN RARE CASES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DIRECTOR. ABSENCES MUST BE DISCUSSED WITH THE DIRECTOR IN ADVANCE OF EVENT.

UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

For Choristers:

For concerts:
1. Shirts--white dress shirts for formal concerts, Chorister polos for casual.
2. Pants -- For girls and boys -- black long pants for formal, khaki for casual.
3. Shoes -- Black dress shoes with low heel for formal, tennis shoes for casual.
4. Socks -- Plain black socks for boys or girls, or black hose for girls for formal, white socks for casual.

NO BOWS OR HAIR RIBBONS OTHER THAN BLACK OR THE COLOR OF THE POLO SHIRT.

For East Tennessee Children's Choir:

For concerts:
1. Shirts -- White, long-sleeved oxford cloth shirts with button down collars. Shirts should be buttoned at the neck.
2. Pants -- For boys and girls: Black long pants
3. Shoes -- Black dress shoes with low heels.
4. Socks -- Plain black socks for boys or girls, or black hose for girls.
5. Vests and bowties - Black.

NO BOWS OR HAIR RIBBONS OTHER THAN BLACK.

For casual events:
ETCC polo shirts, khaki pants and sneakers (no shorts, please).
Polo shirts with ETCC logo are available for members to purchase.

For Highlands Youth Ensemble:

Formal concerts:
1. Shirts -- Boys --White, long-sleeved oxford cloth shirts with button down collars or tuxedo shirts. Shirts should be neatly pressed for all concerts.
2. Pants --Boys -- Black long pants, tuxedo pants, or black slacks.                           
3. Vests --Boys -- Sleeveless, black vests.
4. Dresses -- Girls -- Short-sleeved black dresses.
5. Shoes and Socks -- Boys- Black dress shoes and plain black socks. Girls--flesh tone hoses.
6. Hair and Ornaments -- No bows or hair ribbons other than black may be worn.  All singers will be expected to have their hair securely off their faces.

Casual Concerts:
HYE Black Polo shirts, full length khaki pants, socks and sneakers (no shorts, please).
Polo shirts with HYE logo are available for members to purchase.

Music for Highlands Youth Ensemble

All music will be ordered by MECCA and then purchased by each singer (so that singers may keep their music), and kept neatly in a black notebook purchased by the singer.  HYE singers are expected to keep their notebooks, music, and pencils organized at all times.

2009 – 2010 MECCA Tuition/Fees

ETCC/HYE - $230 for the year  *There is a $10.00 discount if paid in full by Sept. 14 ($220)

Installment plan: $60 per month for four months: during first semester, paid on the first Monday of each month. This includes a $10 fee.

Da Capo – an additional fee of $30 per year

Choristers - $150 per year. *There is a $10.00 discount if paid in full by September 17 ($140)

Installment plan for Choristers: $40.00 per month for four months during first semester. This includes a $10 fee.

Polo shirts - $15.00 with embroidery

**We give a percentage discount off total principle tuition for families of more than one child in any MECCA choir.

2 singers - 10% 3 singers - 15% 4 or more - 20%

MECCA TUITION ASSISTANCE POLICY

adopted by the MECCA Board on May 23, 2009

Purpose:• MECCA wishes to provide musical opportunities to all qualified children in the Tri-Cities region, regardless of their financial situation. In order to enable participation of all eligible students, MECCA will provide tuition assistance to families with financial need.

Eligibility:• Eligibility is based on financial need. Students who are active members of any MECCA choir are eligible. These are students and families who commit to consistent attendance at weekly and special rehearsals and scheduled concert dates. • Consideration will also be given to families with multiple MECCA students.

Amount of Assistance:• MECCA will award assistance based on its available resources. • MECCA will help qualified families on a sliding scale ranging from partial to full tuition assistance. • The award shall be based on the documented financial need of a student’s family and the musical ability of a singer.

Process:• Parents or guardians are requested to submit a letter to the Artistic Director asking for financial assistance prior to (or at the time) when tuition payments come due. They should briefly describe their financial circumstances and the reduction amount they wish to receive. • A request is valid for one term only. If financial need persists, a new written request is required for each term.

Evaluation:• MECCA shall treat requests for tuition assistance with due confidentiality. • The Artistic Director shall review the applications and in each case, make a determination together with the Secretary based on MECCA’s financial resources. • In difficult situations, especially if financial need surpasses available funding, the MECCA Board might also be consulted. • The administrator will inform each family in writing of the amount of tuition assistance granted.

MECCA MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS POLICY

Anna Love Scholarship

Highlands Youth Ensemble Scholarship

Carl D. King Scholarship

Purpose:• MECCA Merit Scholarships serve as incentives and rewards for excellence. They are given to outstanding students regardless of their families’ financial situation.

Process:• MECCA Students submit a letter to the Artistic Director, writing that they wish to apply for a specific scholarship. They should describe what singing means to them and why they think they deserve a merit scholarship.

Evaluation:• The Artistic Director shall review the applications along and in each case, make a determination based on merit, commitment, and promise.• If needed, the Artistic Director will consult with a scholarship committee. • Scholarship award decisions are final.