There are two reasons to cancel rehearsal.
One: weather.
Two: illness.
Other than that, I’m going to be at rehearsal every time, and I expect the same of my students. Regular rehearsal is essential and nothing should stand in its way. That’s especially true when ensembles meet only once or twice a week, as mine do.
(I canceled rehearsal tonight.)
Time was, I would push through, medicated enough to power through whatever illness I was facing. I learned that from my mentors, who expected me to attend rehearsals when sick (watching from the side with music) and held themselves to that expectation.
Now I recognize that there are diminish returns from forcing yourself to be “on” in rehearsal when sick. It’s not worth it, as illness lasts longer and is more severe if you don’t rest properly.
I trust that if I make my rehearsals effective, I can miss one for illness without adversely affecting my students’ growth.