CONCERT Orchestra Notes – October 6, 2026
Dear Concert Orchestra,
Nice work on Sunday 10/4. I’m very encouraged by the way the sound of our orchestra is growing in terms of cohesiveness, contrast and nuance. A lot of it comes from how we sustain the sound together, how we blend based on each part’s function, and how we articulate. Articulation, in turn, is directly related to very technical elements: bow placement/usage, embouchure and more. We can think of it like diction when we speak.
By now, we’ve covered all movements in rehearsal. Our collective discovery phase is done. Now comes the building, polishing and deepening.
I’ve posted the excerpts for our optional leadership auditions 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.
Please see below for more details.
Best,
Dr. G.
weekend rehearsals left before concert:
5
Rehearsal Recap: Thursday, October 1 & Sunday, October 4
- Thursday, 10/1: our string sections had coachings with Oregon Symphony members at MYS. Thank you for coming out on a weeknight. These coachings were extremely productive and important.
- Sunday, 10/4:
- 5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals – Strings worked with Vijeta Sathyaraj, & woodwinds worked with Robert Wakeley. These sections focused on Intermezzo and Chanson du Toréador. Trumpets and trombones worked with Elizabeth Sotelo and horns worked with Kim Minson. These sections covered spots in all movements.
- 6:30pm-7:00pm: break
- 7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- 7pm-8pm: Intermezzo & Chanson du Toréador. We spent most of our time on Chanson. We also watched a YouTube video with a live performance of this aria in the context of the full opera. I’ve added that video to our reference playlist.
- 8pm-8:30pm: revisited spots in Les Toreadors.
CONCERT ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, October 11
- 5:00pm: arrival & check-in
- Sign in at the front desk and head to your sectional rooms.
- 5:15pm-6:30pm: woodwind coachings – work on relevant passages from all movements.
- Flutes in Jazz Room (basement level)
- Oboe in 206 (2nd floor)
- Clarinets in room 108 (1st floor)
- Bassoons in room 207 (2nd floor)
- 5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals
- Strings with Vijeta Sathyaraj @ Contrabassment – work on Chanson du Toréador & Danse Bohéme.
- Brass @ Fireside Room – work on relevant passages from all movements.
- 6:30pm-7:00pm: break
- 7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- 7pm-8:30pm: Habanera , Prelude & Danse Bohéme; if there’s time: revisit spots in Aragonaise
Leadership Auditions due October 27
As I mentioned above, our optional leadership auditions 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 in rehearsal | 9/27/26 | Photo by MYS