ONLA presents four concerts each season, typically in November, February, April, and May, with performances at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica and occasionally other venues on the West Side. Each concert cycle includes six to eight rehearsals. Rehearsals are typically held Tuesdays from 7:30 to 10:00 pm at the Village Church in West LA, beginning in early September. We break for the holidays from mid-December through January 1. Following the main season, we typically hold several sight-reading rehearsals in June.

Coming to ONLA is a commitment of time and preparation. Musicians are expected to attend all rehearsals in a concert cycle and to prepare their parts at home so the ensemble can do justice to the repertoire in rehearsal.

As a general policy, a musician who misses more than two rehearsals in a concert cycle will not participate in that concert. Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the Music Director, but we regard two as the working limit. The final two rehearsals of a cycle — usually the only rehearsals with the guest soloist — are essential, and attendance at these is critical.

The sound check, which begins 1.5-2 hours before a concert, is strongly expected of every participating musician. Missing it is permitted only with the approval of the Music Director and Orchestra Manager.

Reporting an absence:

Winds, brass, and percussion: Notify your section leader, the Orchestra Manager, and the Music Director as early as possible.

Strings: Notify the Orchestra Manager and Music Director as early as possible. Please also notify your section leader if you will miss a concert.

Notice:

For a rehearsal absence, we ask that you give at least 24 hours’ notice (a week is preferred), and as much advance notice as possible for the last two rehearsals of a concert cycle. Because absences can make it difficult for the orchestra to adequately rehearse and prepare the program, advance notice helps us plan effectively and make the most of our limited rehearsal time.

For a concert absence, please let us know before rehearsals for that concert cycle begin. We understand that life gets in the way and things come up — the earlier you can tell us, the better.

Substitutes apply only to the wind, brass, and percussion sections. If you need a sub for a rehearsal, you may speak with your section leader or arrange for someone to cover your spot. If you need a sub for a concert, you may be asked to assist in the process of finding one.

Seating within each section is determined by the section leader or principal, who may take musicians’ preferences within the section into account and may set seating on a concert-by-concert basis. Seats are not permanent and may rotate from one concert cycle to the next. Ultimately, the Music Director reserves the right to adjust or determine seating. The Music Director also designates who serves as principal or section leader.

Orchestra Nova LA is a high-level community orchestra working to build a cohesive ensemble capable of performing major orchestral works up to tempo. Achieving that next level requires consistent attendance, individual preparation, and a shared commitment to reinforcing musical concepts over time. Members are expected to arrive prepared and ready to play their parts, allowing us to build on each rehearsal and grow together as an ensemble.

While we prefer to establish long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with our musicians, no position in Orchestra Nova LA is permanent. The Music Director reserves the right to require an audition at any time, and to make changes to personnel, including seating, section leadership, and continued participation. Such changes may be made for musical or other reasons. Whenever possible, musicians will be given musical feedback and an opportunity to address the concern before any change is made.

Parts are posted to the Members Only section of the ONLA website. We do not have a music librarian, so it is each musician’s responsibility to download and print their own music and bring it to every rehearsal. Please also bring a music stand to every rehearsal and performance.

Concert attire is professional, all black. Long-sleeved tops. Bottoms (pants, skirt, dress) should be full length. Black socks and shoes. Jackets and ties are not necessary.

Arrive on time, tuned up, and ready to play. Do not talk or play your instrument while the Music Director is giving feedback, and silence phones.

Setup and breakdown are a group effort — please help set up and put away chairs after the rehearsal.

Please avoid wearing any fragrances.

Limited parking is available at the Village Church (rehearsal space), and so most musicians use street parking nearby. At Mt. Olive (performance space), there is a severe parking shortage, so we would ask all musicians to park on the street. Please arrive early to allow ample time for parking prior to a rehearsal or performance call time.

As with every other aspect of life, there are considerable financial obligations that ONLA faces in order to achieve its goals. The annual expenses for the season are over $100,000. These include:

• Personnel expenses, including soloist fees and occasional instrument rental

• Rehearsal and performance space fees

• Music rental

• Recording / livestream engineer

• Insurance and tax preparation fees

• Technical infrastructure

• Concert programs

• Insurance and licenses

• Flowers

Please note that our Music Director takes no fee.

ONLA seeks funding from a variety of sources, including government grants, individual donations, corporate donations, ticket sales, and — importantly — membership contributions. Contributions will enable us to play in larger venues, perform a wider variety of music, including more contemporary music which require payment of royalties and rental fees, and to collaborate with a wide range of soloists.

Although there are no dues associated with orchestra membership, orchestra members are expected to make an annual tax-deductible donation at whatever level is compatible with their financial situation.

While playing music together is our main purpose, the success of a volunteer-run organization like ONLA depends on the supplemental contributions of our members.

In addition to playing and monetary contributions, members are invited to contribute their time and talents outside of rehearsals. Areas where members might offer their assistance include:

• Music rental and distribution

• Legal counsel

• Graphic design and program production

• Marketing / public relations / internal communications

• Social media

• Website maintenance

• Finance and accounting

• Fundraising and grant writing

• Software development and technology

• A/V technology

• Photography and videography

• Merchandise

• Box office assistance

• Space rental / management

• Transportation and logistics

Please reach out to a Board member or the Director of Artistic Operations to let us know how you can help.

Know someone outside the orchestra who’s interested in volunteering with ONLA? During each concert, we need volunteers to serve at the box office and merchandise tables and hand out programs to concert-goers. Those who volunteer regularly receive a free ONLA T-shirt.

This is a community orchestra, and you have a voice in how we operate.

ONLA is a volunteer organization run by a Board of Directors. The Board holds fiscal and administrative responsibility for ONLA’s affairs on an ongoing basis and works to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the orchestra.

There are three orchestra members-at-large on the Board, elected for three-year terms on a rotating basis. They serve as the orchestra’s representation on the Board, advocating for the needs of musicians and helping make ONLA a positive experience for all members. If you have feedback, questions, or concerns, the members-at-large are a natural first point of contact.

All members are also encouraged to provide feedback in the annual member survey, which is sent out upon the conclusion of the season each June.

Any member interested in joining the Board may speak with a current Board member about the process. There are also a number of standing committees, and participation is open to anyone, without needing to be a Board member.