Policies

AUDITIONS

Annually the official spring auditions are announced in late May and in person auditions occur in late June. Accepted applicants will be notified by email by July 1, 2025 and the $175 semester tuition is due by July 12, 2025. This audition serves as the seating audition for each section and the designation of principal chairs. There will be late auditions in August and any accepted new members will be placed at the back of the appropriate section. Between cycles there will be some rotation within sections and an opportunity to advance.

ADVANCEMENT AUDITIONS

Advancement Auditions can be requested only between the Winter and Spring concert cycles and with the approval of your current conductor. If approved, applicants will have at least two weeks to prepare selected excerpts and scales. If there are vacancies, auditions will also be announced and will be held in January before the first rehearsal of the spring cycle. Any new members joining will join the back of the appropriate section.

ABSENCES and TARDIES

If a student misses more than 2 rehearsals during a cycle the student will be asked to play for the conductor to determine readiness. It is up to the conductor if a student is allowed to play in the concert. If a student is late three times that equals one absence. “Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable!”

AROUND FIRST BAPTIST

Chattanooga Strings will be using the Chapel Entrance for drop off and pick up. This is the designated CString area of the First Baptist church on Mondays. Students are discouraged from wandering down the hall of classrooms unless with an attending adult. There are two bathrooms next to the Chapel and the Parlor Room. Parents are invited to attend certain community building days and are otherwise not allowed to observe rehearsals. The exception to this is if that adult is acting as a coach, conductor, or parent volunteer.

CONCERTS and ETIQUETTE

Dress rehearsals and concerts are required by all members. Dress is all black with a seasonal splash appropriate for the season. We want to fill the chapel for every concert! Please invite family and friends to save the concert dates and make it a fun event for the family. Concerts generally will be 60-70 minutes in length and are child friendly. Ticketing is donation based and reservations are recommended.