Membership/Application
We draw members from the greater Knoxville metropolitan area and remain based in the city. We expect to continue to rehearse and perform in Knoxville. The membership is all volunteer. Please review the schedule and guidelines below to make sure you are available and can meet the requirements.
Membership is open to adults 18 and over. If you are interested, please Email Scruffy City Orchestra the following information:
- Contact information: Name, cell phone, email
- A brief description of yourself and your instrument
- A 1-2 minute video of you playing a piece that best reflects your abilities.
If there are no current openings, we will place qualified musicians on our wait list.
Organization
The Orchestra is guided by a professional conductor who is aided by a Board of Directors. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Dues
SCO is a pay-to-play orchestra. Dues are $50/year, no matter when a musician joins. They must be paid within the first two weeks of rehearsal. This money is used to pay the conductor(s), purchase music, and other necessary expenses to adequately operate the orchestra. Checks made out to Scruffy City Orchestra are accepted as well as cash.
REHEARSALS AND CONCERTS
NOTE: You may be asked to help set up or tear down the rehearsal or performance area. Please leave the area as neat as you found it.
Season Schedule
SCO has two rehearsal/concert cycles per year. The summer-fall season runs from August through October/November with a concert in November. The winter-spring season runs from January through April with a concert in late April or early May.
A repeat “outreach” concert may be held, based on scheduling and venue. If arranged, this usually takes place during a scheduled Thursday rehearsal time. SCO also plays occasional holiday and other specially arranged concerts as well, which are planned as far ahead of time as possible for members to work into their schedules.
Rehearsal Times and Location
Rehearsals are held Thursday from 7-9 p.m. in the Cafeteria on the campus of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, located at 711 S. Northshore Dr., Knoxville 37919.
Seat Assignments
Placement of musicians is up to the conductors.
Equipment
Please bring your own music stand, instrument(s), and any other items you personally need (stand lights, etc.). Digital copies of music will be provided for you to print out or use digitally.
Attendance
Musicians must attend at least 80% of the rehearsals to continue as a member of SCO. Attendance at the dress rehearsals is mandatory; make every effort to attend the last two rehearsals.
If you cannot meet these requirements and want to continue as a member, please speak to the Personnel Manager, NOT the Conductor. Always let the PM know if you must miss any rehearsal and definitely tell the principal player in your section about any upcoming absences. You are not just coming to rehearsals for yourself; it is also for the other musicians who need to hear you part!
Concert Times and Locations
Concert time is 8:00 p.m.
The regular concerts are scheduled twice a year on a Friday night at Sacred Heart Cathedral as described in above in Season Schedule.
Concert Dress
Dress for concerts is concert black, which means men wear black suits, ties, shoes, socks and white dress shirts. Bow ties will be supplied in the current concert’s specific “theme” color. Women wear long black skirts or pants, tops with long or 3/4 length sleeves and modest necklines, black hose and black shoes, and may add simple accessories, preferably matching the current “theme” color.