Attendance

In order to build a cohesive choral ensemble, it is necessary for all the singers to be present.  Individuals with excessive absence - even if for good reasons - undermine the ensemble, and may be asked to sit out the concert for which those rehearsals were preparation.  When the singer is prepared to attend regularly, he or she can be re-admitted to the choir.

1. Three excused absences are allowed for illness and/or irreconcilable schedule conflict per semester.  The director MUST be notified of absences in advance.
2. Absence from mandatory and dress rehearsals can result in the child not participating in the particular performance.
3. Attendance at ALL concerts is mandatory.
4. More than three excused absences OR one unexcused absence may result in the child being asked to withdraw from the group.
5. Absence from a concert constitutes an unexcused absence. Please note that an unexcused absence CAN result in dismissal from the group.
6. At the discretion of the conductor of the choir, singers may be required to perform a "music check" to ensure that they have worked on their own to learn material covered in a missed rehearsal.
7. Promptness Is Essential. Many schools are willing for the singers to be dismissed a few minutes early so they can arrive on time.  Two times being late 30 minutes or more constitutes an absence.  A letter written by the conductor can be sent to school administrators asking for early dismissal.
8. After a long day at school, the children need a healthy snack and a bathroom break before coming to rehearsal.  No snacks are allowed in the rehearsal building.  There will be a short activity break during the rehearsal, and members will be excused only in the case of an emergency.  Because rehearsal time is most valuable, there will be no scheduled bathroom break.
9. Parents are urged to pick up their children promptly at the conclusion of rehearsals.  Choir leaders often have other rehearsals to lead, and cannot be responsible for children whose parents are late in arriving.

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:

Formal 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.  These will be ordered by MECCA for a fee of $25.  Other items are to be purchased by families.

NO BOWS OR HAIR RIBBONS OTHER THAN BLACK.

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

For Da Capo:

Formal concerts:

Boys -- same attire as ETCC.

Girls -- white Da Capo blouses and long black skirts.  Each singer will be fitted and items will be ordered for purchase.  Flat black shoes.

Casual concerts:                                                                                                                 Da Capo purple polo shirts, khaki pants, white socks and sneakers.  Polo shirts with Da Capo logo will be available for 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 for marking music organized at all times.

2011 – 2012 MECCA Tuition/Fees

ETCC/HYE - $250 for the year  *There is a $10.00 discount if paid in full by Sept. 20 ($240)

Installment plan: $65 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 $40 per year

Choristers - $170 for two semesters. *There is a $10.00 discount if paid in full by September 16 ($160)

Installment plan for Choristers: $45.00 per month for four months during first semester. This includes a $10 fee.

A LATE FEE OF $25 IS CHARGED TO OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS AFTER SEPTEMBER 25 AND JANUARY 31.

Polo shirts - $20.00 with embroidery.  $25.00 for adult sizes.

**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 singers - 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.