SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes for March 22, 2026
Dear MYS Symphony Orchestra,
Congratulations to those of you who performed at the MYS Community Concert on Sunday, 3/15. Also, thank you for your flexibility regarding our modified rehearsal time last week, and for your work on Body Mapping with Zoe Schlussel. I hope this knowledge will help you prevent playing-related injuries in the long term. If you want more information, resources, or private lessons on Body Mapping, you can reach out to Zoe directly at zoe.schlussel@gmail.com.
We ***do*** have rehearsal this Sunday, and it’s an important one: we’ll be reading Elaina Stuppler’s piece HEADLINES, and starting work on movements 2 and 3 of the Beethoven symphony. After this weekend, we will have 2 Sundays off for spring break and Easter (3/29 and 4/5).
Best,
Dr. G.
weekend rehearsals left before concert:
9
Rehearsal Recap – March 15, 2026
- 4:30pm-5:40pm: Body Mapping workshop with Zoe Schlussel.
- 5:50pm-6:30pm: reading of movement 1 of Beethoven Symphony No. 9
Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, March 22, 2026
- Arrival: 5:15pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
- 5:30pm-6:45pm: sectionals on movements 2 and 3 of Beethoven
- Strings with RGR
- Winds/brass with Mr. Wakeley
- 6:45pm-7:00pm: break
- 7:00pm-7:45pm: tutti reading of HEADLINES by Elaina Stuppler
- 7:45pm-8:30pm: tutti work on movements 2 and 3 of Beethoven
- 8:30pm – help reset the room and make sure no doors are left propped open.
MYS SYMPHONY Part Assignments, Orchestra Schedule, Repertoire, Audio Reference, etc…
A few small changes in our part assignments PDFs. Please review each page. – Find all relevant PDFs and links on the side bar of this webpage (or bottom of the page if on mobile).
Summer Volunteer Opportunity: “The Classical Northwest”
MYS alum Amir Avsker is organizing a new performance opportunity for local musicians this summer. From Amir:
“The Classical Northwest is a new music festival that will take place in Portland during the first week of August. The festival will include three orchestra concerts, masterclasses, and opportunities to put together and perform your own chamber music programs. Participation in the festival is free and will allow you to work with some of the most respected professionals in the region.”
A concert including Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 is scheduled for Sunday, August 2nd at 7pm at The Reser. Rehearsals 5:30pm-8:30pm on July 20, 23, 27 & 30. Dress rehearsal on Friday 7/31 at 2pm. Soundcheck on Sunday 8/2 at 3pm and concert at 7pm.
I will be playing principal viola for this, and I hope many of you will join. It should be fun. If you have any questions, please contact Amir directly: amir.avsker@gmail.com
PDF Practice Parts
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 “S.O. Music Library” on the sidebar or the bottom of this blog page. The password is playmys.
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 percussionists. Concert Orchestra has openings too.
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 the new MYS facility, 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 on Sunday)
Dr. G.
MYS Symphony Orchestra basses & guests | Newmark Theatre \ March 1, 2026