CONCERT Orchestra Notes – October 27, 2026
Dear Concert Orchestra,
Our concert will be in two weeks from this coming Sunday. Keep up the great work! Working with you each Sunday is the highlight of my week, and I’m grateful for your preparation, commitment and engagement.
Thanks for the great repertoire suggestions for our winter term! I’m attaching a photo of the whiteboard at the end of this post. I’ve also received great suggestions via email.
Optional leadership auditions are due TODAY (Tuesday, 10/27).
If you enjoy the band Portugal. The Man, you might be interested in two shows with them and the Oregon Symphony that I’ll be conducting on November 11 and 12.
Please see below for a rehearsal recap, plans for 11/1, and more details.
Best,
Dr. G.
weekend rehearsals left before concert:
2
Rehearsal Recap: Sunday, October 25
- 5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals – sectionals prioritized Chanson du Toréador and Les Toréadors
- Strings with Vijeta Sathyaraj @ Contrabassment
- Woodwinds and Brass with Kim Minson @ Fireside Room
- 7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- We worked, as planned, on Prélude, Les Toréadors, Danse Bohéme, Habanera. I’m very encouraged that the ensemble is getting better and better at never playing ahead of the conductor’s beat. This is a very important skill for high-level music-making. It’s essential ALWAYS, and very evident in movements like Prelude. Good work!
CONCERT ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, November 1
- 5:00pm: arrival & check-in
- Sign in by initialing the attendance sheet.
- 5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals – prioritize Aragonaise, Intermezzo, Danse Bohéme, work on others as needed.
- Strings with Vijeta Sathyaraj @ Contrabassment
- Woodwinds and Brass with Adam Eccleston @ Fireside Room
- 6:30pm-7:00pm: break
- 7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- Chanson du Toréador (Felipe will sing), Intermezzo, Aragonaise
- 8pm-8:30pm: Chanson du Toréador, Danse Bohéme (with Felipe conducting)
Leadership Auditions due October 27 (tonight!)
This is coming up! Our optional leadership auditions are due October 27th, as per our season calendar. While these auditions are optional, I highly encourage everybody to submit one. It’s one of the most effective ways for you to show me your individual work and progress.
The list of excerpts and instructions have been posted here.
You can submit your audition on this form.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Audio/Video Reference Playlist
I’ve created a YouTube playlist that you can use as a resource to listen to our repertoire. This playlist is linked on the side bar of this page (or at the bottom if you’re on a mobile device).
Please use it! Or even better: use it and find even more recordings by different orchestras and conductors. The more you listen to our repertoire, the better you’ll understand the big picture of the music.
MYS Online Music Library
All parts are available on our website as PDF files. Please go to our Online Music Library. It is linked on the side bar of this page (or at the bottom if you’re on a mobile device). The password is playmys.
This is useful if you lose your hard copies and need to print fresh ones at home, or if you want to use a digital device (like an iPad with a Bluetooth page turning pedal).
Bring your friends to MYS
If you have friends at school who would enjoy playing with us, send me their name and email and I’m happy to reach out. Or, you could give them my email. Right now, in this orchestra, we could use more violas, basses, brass and percussion.
Availability for private lessons
I don’t take long-term regular private students, but this season I will have some availability for “one-off” violin, viola or conducting lessons. The lessons can be at MYS, or via Zoom. (I may also be available for private coaching sessions for other instruments, but my specific instrumental training is upper strings.) Shoot me an e-mail if you’re interested for more details.
Happy practicing!
Dr. G.
MYS Concert Orchestra Repertoire Wish List | 10/25/26 | Photo by MYS