on professionalism ...

It is important to remember that on festival and field trips, you are representing your school, your groups, your music director, your family, and yourselves. Always govern yourselves accordingly, acting as gentlemen and ladies at all times. During performances, the musicians are judged on their outward attitude and appearance as much as the presentation of the music. The practice of professionalism now will carry you long after you have graduated from St Thomas More Collegiate.

Uniforms for Concert Bands and Choirs

All clothing must be kept clean, wrinkle-free and in otherwise impeccable condition.
There are no exceptions to these listed items. Hair should be kept neat and simple,
makeup and jewelry to a minimum. No perfume or cologne.

The reason for the use of uniforms with our music ensembles is to foster a
sense of belonging and unity. Music making at St Thomas More Collegiate,
after all, is a team expression.

- STMC Music Department Dress Shirt/Blouse.
- Black tie [for gentlemen].
- Black dress shoes.
- Gentlemen: black full-length dress pants worn at the waist level and black socks.
- Ladies: black dress slacks and dark stockings or socks.

Audience and Performance Etiquette

When watching performances of other ensembles, it is important to know that other people,
including parents, administrators, teachers and adjudicators are watching as well.
Therefore, it is imperative, that professional behavior and courtesy is afforded
so that everyone can enjoy the performance.

- Be sure that you are never the cause of a distraction.

- Show leadership and initiative when you see others misbehaving and gently correct them.

- Never look as though you are making fun of a performing group.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

- Use the restroom at appropriate times, never in the middle of another group's
performance, unless absolutely necessary.

- Please do not talk to your neighbor when another group is performing,
it is disrespectful to the hard work that your peers have put into their performance.

- Please do not move around and about while another group is performing,
wait until the performing group changes before leaving.

- Please do not put your feet up or lounge across seats.

- Turn off cellular phones, beepers and other noise making devices.
If your parents or family are in the audience, gently remind them too!
Adults can also be forgetful sometimes.

- Much can be learned from any situation as long as we are open to
receiving this information. See if you can pick something up from
the performance that you can apply in your own playing or singing.

Supporting One Another

To maintain team solidarity, it is important that the bands and choirs support each other.
Forget about any kind of divide that exists between these groups as it is all music.

In the words of famous NFL coach Vince Lombardi:

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a
lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will."

"Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work,
a company work, a society work, a civilization work."