Hi everybody! Great to see you again on Sunday 12/4.
We only have 2 (two!!!) rehearsals left before our holiday break (12/11, 12/18), and then it will be concert week. There will be 18 (EIGHTTEEN!!) days that we will not see each other between 12/18 and our first weeknight rehearsal on Thursday, January 5.
This means that it is extremely important that everybody spend the required time for individual preparation for this concert. It’s not a long concert, and it’s not super hard music, so let’s take this opportunity to present a remarkably polished performance. I am excited for the solo opportunities for many of you in the Eric Carle films.
Also, a heads-up that we will have a guest conductor for the first half of rehearsal on 12/11 and 12/18. Her name and a link to her website are below. I will be coming to the second half of these rehearsals after conducting performances of The Nutcracker with Oregon Ballet Theatre.
Rehearsal Recap, 12/4
We spoke briefly about our November 13 concert. There were congratulatory words from some of you to other members and sections of the orchestra, and we also discussed what can improve for our next performances (in short: ensemble and control, i.e. not rushing).
Then, we read Margot Pullen’s second draft of her piece for our March 5 concert. Thank you so much for your notes for Margot.
We watched all 5 Eric Carle short films, with music by Julian Nott (orchestrated by Nic Raine), and then we took our break.
After the break, I promptly forgot about “Project Back Pocket.” I apologize. Then, we had good read-throughs (with a little work) of Pirates and W&G.
Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, 12/11
(percussion: click here to check your plan on our “MYS Percussion Corner”)
- Work on Pirates with guest conductor Valery Saul
- Work on W&G if time allows
— break — (I will be back for the second half of rehearsal)
- Cricket
- Papa
- I See a Song
REMINDER: don’t forget to practice what we did in the last rehearsal during the first half of your week. Then, after Tuesday, you can focus on what we’re doing at the next rehearsal.
UPDATED Part Assignments
Click here to go to the blog post that contains part assignments for our January 8 concert. Please note a few changes: seating in violins, assignments in winds and trumpets.
Wallace & Grommit Tempo Indications
Click here to add important tempo indications to your W&G parts, as well as the YouTube video with reference audio for our performance.
TRIPLE-CHECK WEEKNIGHT REHEARSAL DATES/TIMES!!
Go to our full season schedule here, and please make sure you can make the additional rehearsals on January 5, 6 and 7.
Thank you, and happy practicing!
Dr. G.
