Rehearsal Information

Encino Community Center, 4935 Balboa Blvd, Encino, CA 91316

Our season runs from September through April and is divided into two semesters. Students auditioning for the fall semester do not need to reaudition for the winter/spring semester. Additional students may join mid-year for the winter/spring semester as orchestra openings permit. Students are expected to continue their instrumental study while in the orchestra.

Rehearsals take place on Sunday afternoons 1:30pm-5:00pm. Except in the case of illness, permission to miss rehearsal must be obtained at least two weeks in advance. In order to participate in the concert, at most two rehearsals will be excused in a single semester. Attendance at the scheduled dress rehearsal, which takes place one week before the first concert each semester, is mandatory for each orchestra member.

We always give two performances at the end of each semester and occasionally schedule additional special performances. Attendance at every scheduled performance is mandatory for each orchestra member.

(Subject to Change)

FALL 2024 SEMESTER

Saturday, August 17, 2024 Auditions for the 2024/25 Season
Sunday, August 18, 2024 Auditions for the 2024/25 Season
Sunday, August 25, 2024 Rehearsal #1 and meeting 12:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, September 1, 2024 No rehearsal / Labor Day Weekend
Sunday, September 8, 2024 Rehearsal #2 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, September 14, 2024 Rehearsal #3 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, September 22, 2024 Rehearsal #4 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, September 29, 2024 Rehearsal #5 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, October 6, 2024 Rehearsal #6 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, October 13, 2024 Rehearsal #7 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, October 20, 2024 Rehearsal #8 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, October 27, 2024 Rehearsal #9 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, November 3, 2024 Rehearsal #10 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, November 10, 2024 Rehearsal #11 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, November 17, 2024 MANDATORY Dress (Rehearsal #12) from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Saturday, November 23, 2024 TENTATIVE Additional Rehearsal TBA from 1:30pm to 5pm)
Sunday, November 24, 2024 MANDATORY Dress (Rehearsal #13) 1:30pm – 5pm
Monday, November 25, 2024 MANDATORY Concert at Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena

SPRING 2025 SEMESTER

Sunday, January 5, 2025 Auditions for the Spring Semester and 2025/26 Season (starting at 1pm)
Sunday, January 12, 2025 Rehearsal #1 and meeting 12:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, January 19, 2025 Rehearsal #2 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, January 26, 2025 Rehearsal #3 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday. February 2, 2025 Rehearsal #4 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, February 9, 2025 Rehearsal #5 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday,February 16, 2025 No rehearsal / Presidents Day
Sunday, February 23, 2025 Rehearsal #6 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, March 2, 2025 Rehearsal #7 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, March 9, 2025 Rehearsal #8 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, March 16, 2025 Rehearsal #9 from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, March 23, 2025 MANDATORY Dress (Rehearsal #10) from 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, March 30, 2025 MANDATORY Concert at Barnum Hall, Santa Monica
Monday, March 31, 2025 MANDATORY Concert at Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena
Saturday, May 17, 2025 Auditions for the 2025/26 Season
Sunday, May 18, 2025 Auditions for the 2025/26 Season  (starting at 1pm)

First Rehearsal and Potluck

The first rehearsal of each semester includes a Potluck and general meeting which all parents, faculty, staff, board members and students should plan to attend. 

Rehearsal

Rehearsals are on Sunday afternoons from 1:30pm to 5:00pm. Except in the case of illness, permission must be obtained at least two weeks in advance to be excused from a rehearsal, and at most two rehearsals will be excused in a single semester.

Mandatory Dress Rehearsal

The “dress” rehearsal, which takes place one week before the first concert of each semester, is a regular rehearsal except that attendance is mandatory for every orchestra member. (No special clothing is required.)

Concert

Attendance at the concert and the rehearsal before the concert are mandatory.

Performance Attire

CONCERT DRESS GUIDELINES – ALL BLACK
1. Ankle length black dress with long sleeve or 3/4 length sleeves – no bare shoulders or spaghetti straps

or

2. Black dress blouse, preferably long-sleeve or ¾ length sleeve with long black skirt or black dress pants (NO t-shirts, casual shirts, black jeans, jeggings or leggings) with Black closed-toe dress shoes -no sandals, flip-flops or other casual shoes and no bare legs

or

3. Black jacket, black dress pants, black shirt, black dress shoes with black socks and long black tie

NOTE: Please do not wear flashy jewelry or accessories that may detract from the appearance of the ensemble.

Parking and Directions for Barnum Hall

600 Olympic Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Civic Center Parking Lot at the corner of 4th Street and Pico Blvd. Access to the parking lot is via Main Street or 4th Street Civic Center Parking Garage, at corner of 4th Street and Civic Center Way.

Parking and Directions for the Ambassador Auditorium

Ambassador Auditorium
131 S St John Ave
Pasadena, CA 91123 

Parking is available in the parking structure on St John Ave. – $10 CASH ONLY 

From the West on the Pasadena Freeway (110): Exit at Orange Grove Blvd., go North (turn left) and proceed six traffic lights to Green Street. Turn right onto Green Street and park on the street, or go on Green St. and turn right onto St. John Ave. and park on the street or in the parking structure. 

From the East on the Foothill Freeway (210): Exit at Orange Grove Blvd. via the Ventura Freeway (134). Go South (turn left) on Orange Grove, then turn left at the second traffic light onto Green Street and park on the street, or go on Green St. and turn right onto St. John Ave. and park on the street or in the parking structure. 

From the Ventura Freeway (134): Exit at Orange Grove Blvd. and proceed straight onto Colorado Blvd. Turn right at the first traffic light onto St. John Ave., and park on St. John, in the parking structure, or circle the campus and park on Green Street. 

From the North on the Foothill Freeway (210): Take the Colorado Blvd. exit, proceed straight onto St. John Ave., and park on St. John Ave., in the parking structure, or circle the campus and park on Green Street.