Membership Policies 2024-2025

The Ironhorse Consortium for Young Musicians (ICYM) is an educational program made possible through the hard work and dedication of talented music instructors and music students in and around Helena. Thank you for your interest in our organization; you are welcome to direct questions to Mr. Cleary at kcleary@ironhorsemusic.org.

Updated August 2024

Mission

The Ironhorse Consortium for Young Musicians (Ironhorse Youth Music or ICYM) exists to inspire, educate, and connect people through music. All ensembles introduce classical and contemporary music literature to student musicians of all ages and provide a strong foundation of rehearsal and performance techniques. Through repertoire and educational opportunities, ICYM brings students and audiences a community connection to other cultures and social issues facing our society.

Students involved in ICYM ensembles and other activities have a chance to develop their musical skills in collaboration with musicians of all ages and ability levels.

Membership

Ironhorse Music welcomes all students committed to our mission. Membership within each ensemble or program is also subject to the following regulations.

Tuition

Fees are attached to most ICYM programs and are essential to the functioning of our organization. Please note that tuition is not tax deductible. Again this season you can enroll in ICYM programs at https://ironhorsemusic.org/enrollment/.

ICYM is adjusting our fee structure slightly this season. We will focus on monthly enrollment fees as a basis for all ensembles to even our enrollment fees in each semester. Participants can indicate payment preferences in their enrollment application, or requests can be made to pay discounted semester and annual fees up front.

Those who prefer to write a check should make it payable to Ironhorse Youth Music. Printed enrollment forms should be submitted on paper; bring paperwork and check payments to a rehearsal or mail them to:

Ironhorse Youth Music • PO Box 1117 • Helena • 59624

Anyone concerned about the cost of tuition is encouraged to request a Fee Waiver. Ironhorse is committed to including every student who wants to participate in our programs, no matter their financial situation or ability to pay tuition.

During the 2024-2025 season, program tuition will be built around the following rate structure.

Ensembles

For each student, enrollment in a first ensemble costs $60 per month. Enrollment in each additional ensemble costs $25 per month. All siblings enrolled in ensembles are eligible for a 10% discount on full year or semester tuition. Any student participant in Ironhorse summer camps or Ironhorse lesson programs receive a 5% discount per program.

Contact Mr. Cleary if interested in paying discounted semester or annual fees up front.

Classes

Class enrollment fees vary depending on class structure, but ICYM aims to keep class fees in line with the $60 per month ensemble fees.

Lessons

Private instruction coordinated by ICYM is offered on a sliding scale based on family income. All lesson participants are required to submit a fee waiver application to determine the monthly cost of their lessons. Weekly lesson times are scheduled with each instructor, and additional lesson program guidelines and tuition policies are outlined in enrollment documents.

Ensemble Rehearsals

Rehearsal times, dates, and locations differ between ensembles (you can find general information at https://ironhorsemusic.org/programs), but policies surrounding ensembles and their rehearsals are the same.

Attendance is required at all regular rehearsals and dress rehearsals--everyone is needed if the ensemble is to be properly prepared for performances.

All members of ICYM must display courtesy and exhibit upstanding behavior at all rehearsals and at any events related to ICYM. If a student’s behavior becomes disruptive, parents will be called. If disruptive behavior continues, this will represent cause for dismissal from an ensemble.

Tours

Some ICYM ensembles are considered touring ensembles; twice a year, these ensembles travel around Helena to perform for members of the community. Tours are strongly encouraged for every member of an ICYM touring ensemble, but they are not considered required concert performances because they often require missing a day of school.

This season’s tour dates are scheduled on the following days.

There have been discussions around select ICYM ensembles touring and performing outside of Helena, but nothing is planned for this season. Such travel would require additional expectations that are not yet in place.

The dress code on most tours is Functional Concert Attire, but ensemble conductors have final say in defining appropriate attire for each tour.

Concerts

Each semester concludes with a final concert for all ensembles held in the sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. This season’s final concerts are scheduled on the following days.

The dress code for concerts is Full Concert Attire, but ensemble conductors have final say in defining appropriate attire for each concert. Any unexcused absence from a concert represents cause for dismissal from an ensemble.

Staff are hoping to plan other performance opportunities for ensembles this year. Details will be shared as those events are scheduled.

Dress Code

Full Concert Attire is expected primarily at afternoon and evening concerts, but students will be notified of other events that require this level of formality.

Functional Concert Attire is permitted during tours because students will be on and off a bus and must move equipment. Students need to look presentable, but comfort is also important.

Music

The music used by ICYM ensembles is purchased, rented, and/or borrowed. Because music is expensive, all of it must be handled with care.

Classes and Lessons

Because these programs are individualized and don’t have a performance component (like ensembles), participants can expect some policy adaptations. Attendance and respectful behavior, along with proper treatment of music, are still essential to success in classes and lessons, but there are no tours or concerts and no dress code for participation.

MET Live in Schools

In accordance with agreements between Ironhorse Youth Music, the Helena School District, and the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York, ICYM is supporting the Helena School District in its administration of the Live in Schools program. This unique program brings live, world class opera to students in the Helena School District and is entirely free for all participants. No enrollment in ICYM is required to attend, and no required fees will be charged to students.