Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra

Letter from President

On behalf of our Board of Directors and leadership team, I am delighted to welcome you to our community orchestra. Whether you are joining us for the first time or continuing your musical journey with us, we are grateful for your commitment to making music together.

Our orchestra is built on a shared love of music, collaboration, and community. We are musicians of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities and each member plays an essential role in shaping not only our sound, but also the culture of respect, inclusivity, and mutual support that defines our organization.

This handbook is designed to provide clarity about our policies, expectations, and values. It serves as a resource to help ensure a positive, organized, and fulfilling experience for all members. While it outlines important guidelines, it also reflects our commitment to open communication, flexibility, and understanding as we balance artistic excellence with the realities of being a volunteer-driven community ensemble.

With appreciation,

Megan Conrad
 President, Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra

Handbook Summary

This document/website provides the minimum expectations for each volunteer MUSICIAN who desires to be a member in good standing in the Cedar Rapids Community ORCHESTRA (CRCO). This information includes:

  • How to become a member and current leadership identities
  • How to acquire performance music
  • Where and when rehearsals are held and behavioral expectations for each
  • Attendance expectations and section PRINCIPAL additional roles
  • General scheduling for performances, including durations and intermissions
  • Performance Dress codes
  • Media/Marketing aspects
  • Non Discrimination Policy
  • How MUSICIAN behavioral issues are raised, addressed, and resolved
  • Revision control for this Handbook

 

General Information/Links

 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra is to provide opportunities for adult musicians of all musical ability to share, learn and advance musical interests to the social benefit of a broad sector of the local community through practice and performance of orchestra music. CRCO is committed to achieving musical excellence and diversity through live seasonal performances and other special performances at a variety of venues that are accessible, fun and nurturing environment that inspires individual talents and growth as performers.  

 

Terminology

Set: 12 rehearsals and one dress rehearsal leading to one formal performance constitutes a “set.”

 

Key Defined Groups

Capitalized terms used to facilitate manual scanning through this Handbook.

 

BOARD – Directors and elected officials

CONCERTMASTER – i.e., Principal violin player (if title requested by said player)

LIBRARIAN – Addresses set music

Artistic DIRECTOR

MUSICIAN – i.e., Individual players

ORCHESTRA – i.e., the assembly of musicians plus the Board of Directors

Personnel MANAGER – (future) role to address rosters, dues, attendance, etc.

PLAYER’S COMMITTEE – concept to resolve grievances

PRINCIPAL – i.e., Section leader

 

Membership

  • Applications: https://www.crcorchestra.org/join/ (Auditions not required)
  • Dues ($25/set) should be paid to the Treasurer by the 4th rehearsal for each set. The preferred method of payment is by personal check or via CRCO website using Venmo (@crorchestra, leave a Venmo note to indicate “dues”) or PayPal (send an additional email to indicate “dues”). MUSICIANs experiencing financial challenges should appeal to the Board for assistance (donations from others will hopefully offset such need).
  • Payment of dues for each set implies each MUSICIAN has read and agrees to the expectations set forth in this Handbook.
  • Music for each set is distributed to all MUSICIANs through the CRCO website with password controlled access as communicated by email from the LIBRARIAN 
  • Support for “outreach events” is currently limited to two ensembles, with the following contacts, should any MUSICIAN desire to serve:
    • String Ensemble (Contact Dale March)
    • French Horn Ensemble (Contact Teresa Wake)

 

Elected and Appointed Officers

 

Hired

Elected Officers

Elected At Large

Appointed

Joshua Reznicow, Artistic Director

Megan Conrad, President

Chuck Foster

Amy Powell, Bookkeeper

Dean Straub, President Elect

Jon Bancks

Cheryl Killham, Subcommittees

Will Sturms, Secretary

Taryn Kroymann

Bryant Manning, KCC Liaison

Lee Prostine, Treasurer

John Schultz

Eric Marshall, Community Board

Dale March

TBD, Community Board

 

Rehearsals

  • Scheduled approximately 12 weeks before performances on Mondays from 7-9PM (with a minimum of 10 minutes break appropriately inserted)
  • Held at Kirkwood Community College, Feder Music Center “3098 Band Hall,” Cedar Hall 
    • Bring instrument, music, support equipment (eg mute), pencil/eraser
    • Stand/chairs provided (share stands whenever possible)
    • Turn off and stow cellphone (please limit use only in cases of emergency)
    • Cannot be under influence (drugs/alcohol)
    • No gum, food or drink (other than water) in the rehearsal seating space
    • Assist with seat/stand deployment, if needed, as you arrive
    • Communicate within sections as needed to ensure improvement 
    • Assist with seat/stand stowage, as needed, once rehearsal ends
    • Do not handle any percussion equipment unless you are a percussionist
    • Do not leave valuables unattended at rehearsals or concerts (Note: CRCO is not responsible for any lost or stolen items)

 

  • Attendance Expectations
    • Weekly attendance is a critical component for the success of the ORCHESTRA 
    • Do let section leader know if you plan to miss a rehearsal
    • With the exception of timpani, keyboards and large percussion instruments, MUSICIANs shall provide a suitable instrument and protective case. 
    • MUSICIANs are responsible for providing their own instrument insurance. 
    • There is no need for concert apparel at dress rehearsals.

 

  • Section PRINCIPALs
    • Selected by the Artistic DIRECTOR.  Contact information provided HERE
    • Prepare section members for rehearsals (critical bowings and/or fingerings should be coordinated with the Concertmaster)
    • Under the direction of the Artistic DIRECTOR, PRINCIPALs shall take active leadership through guidance and playing ability.  Principals shall take initiative in communicating to members of the section the artistic suggestions of the Artistic DIRECTOR. 
    • CONCERTMASTER and Artistic DIRECTOR are responsible for preparing bowings.  When possible, CONCERTMASTER shall receive parts six (6) weeks prior to the first rehearsal of a set and return within one week. 
      • LIBRARIAN will deliver marked parts to String PRINCIPALS. 
      • String PRINCIPALS will have one week to return their bowings to the Library. 
      • Appropriate bowings will be marked in the string parts. Cuts will be marked in all parts before being distributed, to the extent reasonably possible. The objective is for MUSICIANs to have music two (2) weeks prior to the first rehearsal of each set.

Performances

 

  • There will usually be two formal performances each fiscal year, one in early Winter (e.g., December), and the other in late Spring (e.g., April or May).  Historically, these performances have always fallen on a Sunday afternoon, in coordination with Kirkwood Community College Dean of Music and other performances competing for the stage at Kirkwood Community College’s Ballantyne Auditorium.
  • Additional performances will be addressed by the DIRECTOR as opportunities arise (e.g., a Veterans Day concert was performed in Fall 2024 and World Peace concert was performed in Fall 2025, both collaborations with the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale).
  • The length of a single service shall not exceed two and one-half (2 1/2) hours. A service week shall not contain more than two (2), two (2) hour rehearsals. 
  • MUSICIANs agree to be seated in their chairs, ready to play, having prepared the appropriate music, five (5) minutes before the scheduled starting time.
  • As a goal, there will be an intermission of at least fifteen (15) minutes for each service lasting two and one-half (2 1/2) hours or less. 
  • Performance Dress Code 
    • “Concert Black” 
      • Black dress shirt, or suit with white shirt, long tie (professional – no cartoon characters or golf balls), black dress shoes and black socks OR 
      • Black calf-length or longer skirt or dress, or black dress pants, black top with 3/4 or full-length sleeves (no excessively low necklines), black suits with white blouses and black jackets are permitted, black dress shoes and plain black or off-black stockings.
      • MUSICIAN attire shall be reasonably well-fitted, clean, non-faded and pressed; shoes shall be reasonably polished; hair and facial hair shall be reasonably neat. 
    • Fragrances:  Excessive cologne or perfume (or other noxious odors such as smoke-infused clothing), distracting jewelry and other unauthorized visible attire or accessories are prohibited. 

 

Electronic Media/Marketing

 

  • MUSICIANs may not engage in, advertise under or use any terminology which could mislead the public or funding agencies, or tend to imply that an activity is under the auspices of CRCO without written permission from the BOARD. 
  • MUSICIANs may represent themselves as a “member of Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra (CRCO)” in their printed or online biography or in connection with an outreach ensemble event, a solo appearance or a recital. 
  • MUSICIANs shall discuss any potential Conflicts of Interest with ORCHESTRA prior to occurrence. 
  • Photographs: MUSICIANs agree to be photographed during any performance, including practices, and that their likeness can be used by the ORCHESTRA for marketing, fundraising, educational or public relations purposes. 

 

Non-Discrimination Info

 

  • There shall be no discrimination on the part of the ORCHESTRA against any MUSICIAN on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, military status, union activity, political affiliation or disability in admission or access to, or treatment in, its programs and activities.

 

Special Considerations

 

  • If DIRECTOR schedules the need for a “chamber ensemble,” members will be nominated by their Section Principal and ultimately chosen by the DIRECTOR.
  • Issue Management
    • PLAYER’S COMMITTEE: A committee of MUSICIANs elected by the MUSICIANs to represent their interests in such matters as defined in this Workbook. 
    • If a MUSICIAN’s performance or general behavior is considered by the DIRECTOR to be sufficiently deficient to warrant termination or reseating, upon DIRECTOR’s petition to the BOARD, the BOARD shall give notice via email and a physical copy at the next possible practice containing specifics of the alleged deficiencies by paper mail to MUSICIAN, with copies to the PLAYER’S COMMITTEE. 
    • Following receipt of the Notice, MUSICIAN will have three (3) separate sets to make improvements to the satisfaction of the Artistic DIRECTOR. During these sets, the Artistic DIRECTOR will provide written evaluations and progress reports to the MUSICIAN, 
    •  Following the third set, the Artistic DIRECTOR shall do one of the following: 
      • i. Withdraw the warning letter of dissatisfaction and stop further action. 
      • ii. Offer the MUSICIAN the opportunity to perform another probation-status set for further evaluation. 
      • ill. Provide written Notice that the MUSICIAN will be dismissed or demoted at the conclusion of the current season. 

 

Future Edits to This Handbook

 

  • The BOARD reserves the right to make revisions to this Handbook.
  • MUSICIAN feedback regarding desired changes should be provided in written form.
  • As periodic revisions are made, electronic communications will be provided to all MUSICIANs in advance of promulgating any operational change that directly affects behavioral expectations of each MUSICIAN. 
  • Where the BOARD recognizes changes are of a sensitive nature, MUSICIAN feedback will be secured as part of the annual ORCHESTRA meeting held near the end of the final formal performance set.