SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes – August 21, 2026
Hello everyone!
Welcome (or welcome back) to 2026-2027 MYS Symphony Orchestra. I very much look forward to seeing all of you on Sunday, September 13 at our new building!
In the meantime, I wanted to share a few important pieces of information. Please see below.
Best,
Dr. G.
2026-2027 Season Calendar
You can always access our season calendar by clicking on the button on the sidebar of any of these blog posts (or at the bottom of the page if you are on a mobile device). For your convenience, here’s a direct link.
PLEASE add every single rehearsal and performance to your calendars ASAP.
Things to note:
- Our regular rehearsal time has been expanded to 5pm-8:30pm. This will allow more time for weekly sectionals and a longer break.
- Pay special attention to our PRE-CONCERT REHEARSALS, which take place in the days leading up to each concert. Dates and times are different from last year, and there’s a Monday night rehearsal in the fall. Pre-concert rehearsals on Saturdays are a different times too.
- String sections will have coachings on 1 Thursday evening each term. 9/24, 12/10 and 4/22.
- Please prioritize our rehearsals as you plan for other conflicting activities. Communicate your conflicts to your other activities as early as possible.
- There is a maximum of 3 allowed absences per term. If you know you’ll have more than 3 planned absences, please reach out to me directly ASAP.
Leadership Audition for Fall Term
If you’re interested in a leadership position for the fall term, or if you’d simply like to share your musical growth/progress with me, you may do so by submitting an optional leadership audition, due on Tuesday, September 1st by end of day.
I will send a link to a Google form to send your audition on Tuesday, September 25th.
For this audition, please record a minimum of 3 minutes of your best playing. Any repertoire is good. Piano accompaniment is not required.
2026-2027 Concerto Competition
Symphony Orchestra musicians are eligible to enter our Concerto Competition. All information can be found on this page. Below are important dates to keep in mind (these are also on our Season Schedule):
- November 20: deadline to have repertoire pre-approved by Dr. G.
- November 27: registration and teacher approval forms due
- December 4: audition videos due
- December 8: finalists announced
- January 8: live, in-person finals, open to the public
2026-2027 Repertoire
You can find the latest draft of our season repertoire on the sidebar of this page (or bottom of the page if you’re on a mobile device). Here’s a direct link for your convenience.
The repertoire might still change, especially as we plan for our Japan tour on June of 2027. Thanks to those of you who sent me repertoire suggestions.
weekend rehearsals left before next concert:
9
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, clarinets 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 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,
Dr. G.
[pictured: Hobbit Beach near Florence, OR | August, 2026]