Update (March 24, 2020)
With the recently announced closure of the Sunset Center (through May 15th) and an unknown resumption date in our community school districts, all rehearsals, events, and concerts for all ensembles have been canceled for the rest of the 2019-2020 season. This unfortunately includes the Chamber Players Benefit Concert, the Brass and Woodwind Recital, and the Spring Orchestras Concert. We are optimistic about normal activities resuming in the fall for our 2020-2021 season. The Spring Concert repertoire will be performed on the Fall concert and will include the Honors Concerto Competition winner, Bennett Bishop, as well as JYO Competition winner, Bryan Kim.
As announced previously, tuition refunds are available upon request for those who paid through the end of the season; please read our original release below for information on how to proceed. Alternatively, if you are in the position, please consider donating your unused tuition as a tax-deductible donation to YMMC to sustain our organization through this difficult time.
We understand this presents a significant loss for our students. We're actively working on ways to allow our musicians to continue making music, including the possibility of forming a 'virtual orchestra' with our ensembles. We'll be in touch regarding any such arrangements for your child, as well as encouragement for continuing to practice (it's a good opportunity to practice some solos!).
As always, please stay well and take care. These are difficult times for everyone, but we'll find new ways to make music together.
Original Release (March 16, 2020)
Dear YMMC Parents and Families,
It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to inform you of the recent decision of the Board to suspend YMMC rehearsals at this time. As a community, we now all face a significant challenge with the spread of the corona virus disease. The safety of your children and our community is our first priority and we need to act collectively to help prevent and slow the spread of the virus. We are also acting in accordance with the recommendations of our governor and are following the lead of our school districts.
With this in mind, we are suspending all orchestra and chamber ensembles rehearsals until further notice. We will monitor events and reevaluate the situation no later than April 15th, when we will come to a full conclusion about the remainder of the season. We realize this presents a huge disruption in the routine of our students and hope that they will continue to practice their music on their own and with their private teachers. We will continue to be in communication about home practice. With the closure of Sunset Center and an unknown reopening date, a spring concert this year is in question, and we will continue to monitor that venue for availability. We are optimistic about rehearsals and concerts resuming in the Fall of 2020. If there is any way we can resume activities this spring season, we will be ready to do so.
If community health directives prevent us from resuming activities this spring, the following tuition policies will be in effect: for those who have paid tuition through the end of the season, refunds will be available for the third concert portion by May 1st upon request. Alternatively, this money can be used as a credit for 2020-21. Private lessons scholarships will still be honored. Payments for outstanding balances for concerts #1 and #2 will be billed this month and are still expected to be paid in full.
Last, we are asking those families who can, to consider the unused tuition as a donation to YMMC (a tax deduction), to help sustain us through this difficult time. We must continue to pay the salaries of permanent staff and thus the costs for the rest of the year are not significantly lower than if we had continued the schedule.
Please take good care and stay well during this unusual time. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility. We look forward to activities returning to normal!
Many Thanks,
The Board and Staff of YMMC
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