# Attendance and Professionalism Attend all percussion-related events unless otherwise noted or excused. These include but are not limited to: - [[#Gear Moves & Professional Courtesy|Gear Moves]] - Fellow percussionists' recitals - Guest artist masterclasses - Grad student and/or faculty-led masterclasses - Extracurricular rehearsals (as necessary) - Percussion Complex cleanup/organization sessions ## Absences and Class Conflicts Life happens — unexpected absences are inevitable, and some events (like gear moves) may conflict with your scheduled classes. In every case, communicate the absence **immediately and clearly**. For studio-wide events, notify **both** the person leading the event *and* the Coordinator. ### Approved forms of communication: - University Email - Slack Workspace Direct Message - Personal Text Message (only as a last resort) ### Unapproved forms of communication: - Facebook, Instagram, or other social media messaging - Communication through another student (even if related to that member) > [!failure] Be warned > Communicating absence or tardiness through another student is, professionally speaking, grounds for dismissal in the real world. It will not be tolerated. Ever. ## Punctuality To be late is to fail yourself and your colleagues. The communication protocols above apply to lateness the same as absence. ### General Expectations - Be at the location of any UNLV Percussion activity **a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes prior** to call time. - If you believe you'll be late, **communicate** with the Coordinator or lead faculty/graduate student when it is safe to do so. - Remain at the location until dismissed by the Coordinator or lead faculty/graduate student. <u>Excessive failure to meet these expectations will result in a lowered Applied Lessons grade</u>. ### Work Conflicts Work conflicts with UNLV Percussion activities will not be tolerated **unless an individual agreement is made with percussion faculty**. Address all scheduling with your employer immediately after receiving calendar events. <u>It is imperative that your employer understands this commitment.</u> ## Repertoire Class ("Grone's Groove") Rep Class — "Grone's Groove" — is a mandatory weekly meeting for the entire studio. It is the primary component of your Applied Lessons grade and the weekly activity that unifies our studio. **Attendance and/or punctuality issues with Grone's Groove will result in a lowered Applied Lessons grade.** ## Masterclasses & Guest Artists Numerous guest artists and clinicians visit our campus each year — our Percussion Area is one of the few U.S. programs that consistently host world-class Artists in Residence at no additional cost to students. Graduate- and faculty-led masterclasses also occur throughout each semester. **These events are mandatory.** Occasionally an event occurs on short notice; those attendance complications are handled case by case. ## Gear Moves & Professional Courtesy **All gear moves are mandatory events.** They will be announced with as much notice as possible, and every student contributes to **all** gear moves. Stay and help strike the stage after every band, orchestra, or percussion performance — whether you performed or not. It is common courtesy to help after another student's recital or ensemble concert. Your colleagues appreciate it, and the post-concert celebration begins much sooner. > [!info] Gear moves are the currency for the wealth of resources our area provides at no additional cost to your college expenses. As a percussionist here, you have 24-hour access to one of the largest percussion complexes in the United States — with no practice room fees, locker fees, or instrument rental fees. **Gear move absences must be communicated to the logistics Graduate Assistant.** > [!failure] Be Warned > Gear moves are the single most reputation-destroying obligation that students try to circumvent at UNLV. > > **Rightfully so: your <u>responsible</u> peers will develop a strong distaste for your presence in our program if you repeatedly shirk gear moves.** > > There are graduates of our program out in the community right now whose reputations were defined by laziness and gear-move avoidance. Do not become one of them. People remember these things... ## Dress Code and Presentation Your time in this program prepares you for life as a professional. Appropriate dress, personal hygiene, and interpersonal skills are essential in any professional setting, and the basic standards must be maintained: - Perform basic daily hygiene before any interaction with faculty, staff, or colleagues (shower, brush teeth, deodorant, groom hair). - Do not attend classes or functions dressed poorly. Avoid outfits that are excessively revealing, unprofessional, or a distraction. - Representing UNLV at events: meet "business casual" or "UNLV themed" standards. - Presenting or performing: "dressy casual" is the minimum. Ensembles have specific dress requirements — check with the director of each group. ## Demeanor and Camaraderie ### General Considerations UNLV Percussion prides itself on inclusion and sharing in joyful play both musically and socially. We are a team and a family. Our time together will exceed hundreds of hours spent learning, preparing, performing, and (perhaps more than anything) communing and socializing. It is important to understand that a majority of your time spent—and memories made—will occur *between* your rehearsals and performances. To that end, it's important you understand that the good, bad, and ugly will ebb and flow over the course of an academic year. There will be times of joyful play (e.g., joking, laughing, games, and so on) as well as tension and frustration among your peers and faculty. This a reality of life and one that comes with the territory of close, constant interaction among hard-working individuals with shared goals. It is important you **understand the balance** between not taking yourself (or the matters around you) too seriously and knowing when to draw the line. This is a balance that prepares you for the reality of life in society. Whether its among your family, life partner, professional team members, or even strangers at a grocery store, we *all* must live in this balance. ### A Note on Humor The most common test of this balance within our program comes in the form of humor. First, let us acknowledge that musicians are expressive and creative people. Such traits usually yield widely varying perspectives and behaviors from one person to the next. When this reality of diversity is applied to *humor* things can get complicated. Humor is a human necessity. It is crucial to our survival and is [scientifically proven to improve your life](https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/healthy-aging/the-health-benefits-of-humor/) in many ways. Humor, however, is nuanced and requires context and awareness to fully understand and value. Thus, it's crucial to understand that *humor to some can manifest differently than it does to you.* This is not only okay, but should be embraced and explored. **Be prepared for unexpected humor and always assume the best intentions first.** Jokes and playful banter are commonplace and a sign of a healthy social environment and can literally [boost morale and performance capacity among teams](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11431358/). It is crucial that you develop an understanding for what is and is not banter—as both the "giver" and the "taker" so to speak. We expect students to work together amicably and to share fully in these experiences—and we encourage you to take an active part in the humor and banter that come with them. **What we do not require is that everyone like each other.** Personalities differ, and over hundreds of hours some people will simply not mesh. That is a normal feature of any group, and it is okay. You will never be required to like another person; you will be required to work with them. That distinction matters most in moments of humor. **A personal dislike should never become the lens through which you read a joke.** Ordinary friction between two people does not turn banter into a weapon, and it should not be mistaken for one. When something lands wrong, assume good intent first—especially with someone you don't naturally click with. ### When humor doesn't work When banter does not land well—regardless of whether you like the person involved—it is your responsibility to address it maturely. This runs in both directions. **If you gave offense, own it:** apologize, and recognize the thing to be avoided going forward. You do not get to be the arbiter of another person's feelings or decide if what you did or said was "actually hurtful." That is their call and should be respected. **If you took offense, you cannot make a standing practice of being offended by everything;** a perpetual grievance is its own kind of harm to the group. And overreaction to offense is no less damaging than the offense that prompted it. Composure is your only ally in times of frustration. The balance named earlier applies here directly. Sometimes the honest read is "this is simply who this person is," **and you let it go.** Sometimes it is "this genuinely troubles me," and you say so plainly (or take the appropriate, official steps to correct it). **Sometimes the person who needs to adjust is you**—"this is how I am, but I need to temper it for the good of the group." Maturity is knowing which of these a given moment calls for. If you're outgoing and dishing it out regularly, be ready for the potential social consequences. **Bottom line:** everyone sees the world differently, and may be going through things you're not aware of. Humor can be both healing and salt in the wound. Be aware, **assume the best in everyone,** and remember that we should all be on the same team. ### When it objectively crosses the line This type of "humor" is not humor. When banter or jokes cross into violence or harassment—there is no tolerance and it should cease immediately. It will not be tolerated and will be reported. - **Any form of violence, discrimination, harassment, hazing, or intimidation will not be tolerated.** See the UNLV Student Handbook for university policy.