Posted on January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 by mys-staff

CONCERT Orchestra Notes for February 1, 2026

Dear Concert Orchestra,

Last Sunday (Jan 25) was the last weekend with sectional rehearsals in the winter term. We are now only three rehearsals away from our concert on 2/22.

This coming Sunday (Feb 1st), you will work with MYS conductor Darian Todd during the first half of rehearsal, and then with me in the second half. Please read below for more details.

Also, please remember to mark your calendars for Sunday, March 1st: instead of our planned shortened rehearsal (as per our rehearsal schedule PDF), I’m asking that you please plan to attend the Symphony Orchestra concert at 4pm at the Newmark Theatre. Tickets are free for MYS students. If you can’t come to the concert, please fill out a regular absence form. More information below.

Best,

Dr. G.

rehearsals left before concert:

3

Recap – January 25, 2026

Sectionals: woodwinds worked with Robert Wakeley and strings with Casey Bozell. Both sectionals covered the 1st movement of Mozart Symphony No. 40, mov. 1.
Tutti: we spent our tutti time on YCP’s “Cartoon Music,” aka “Retep finds a way.” Please continue learning and practicing this piece. It will be crucial to practice this one with a metronome, or along to the YouTube video of the short film with the music.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, February 1

Please arrive by 1:45pm. We can always use extra hands to help set up the room if you are able to get there closer to 1:30pm. I will arrive at 1:30pm to open the space.

Arrival: 1:45pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
2:00pm-3:30pm: tutti: Mozart Symphony with Mr. Todd
3:30pm-3:45pm: break
3:45pm-5:00pm: YCP Cartoon Music (in preparation for rehearsal, please practice along to the YouTube video for this piece). Our YouTube playlist is linked on the sidebar.

Sunday, March 1st: Symphony Orchestra concert at 4pm

As I mentioned above, instead of our originally-planned shorter rehearsal, I’d like to ask all Concert Orchestra students to attend Symphony Orchestra’s concert at 4pm at the Newmark Theatre. Tickets are free for MYS students and can be purchased on the MYS website. If you can’t come to this concert, please fill out a regular absence form as usual.

To receive the free MYS Student ticket for concerts at the Schnitzer or Newmark, you must both:

Select “MYS Student” ticket type and

In the cart, enter the coupon code: mysstudent

Note: Free student tickets are not available for Dress Circle (Schnitzer) or 1st Balcony Boxes and Rows A & B (Newmark). MYS Student tickets may be redeemed on the MYS website or may be requested in person at the Newmark or Schnitzer Box Office; they are not available online via the Portland’5 website.

Leadership Audition for Spring Term – Instructions and Excerpts

I’ve posted instructions and excerpts for our Spring Leadership Auditions here.

As per our season schedule, the videos are due on Tuesday, February 10th. Pro tip: don’t leave this for the last minute. Most orchestra sections have 3 excerpts to record. A possible plan could be to record one excerpt per week.

Every member of the orchestra is expected to submit a video. This will determine leadership roles for our spring term (along with attendance records).

MYS CONCERT Part Assignments, Orchestra Schedule, Repertoire, Audio Reference, etc…

No changes this week.

Please check the items linked on the sidebar (or bottom of the page if on a mobile device) if you need to consult anything.

Find PDF Practice Parts at the MYS Online Music Library

If you lose your part, or need to access a digital copy for any reason, you can find one in our Online Music Library. Look for the button “C.O. Music Library” on the sidebar or the bottom of this blog page. The password is playmys.

Availability for private lessons

I don’t take long-term regular private students, but this season I will have some availability on Monday afternoons for “one-off” violin, viola or conducting lessons. The lessons can be in person at the MYS building in SE Portland, 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,
(and don’t forget to bring a music stand)