Author: mys-staff

Congrats on a Historic 50th Anniversary Season!

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

I am still on cloud nine after the absolutely unforgettable concert on Tuesday evening. Every single one of you brought your best, and the result was a moving, meaningful and spectacular show.

I am very proud of everyone, and deeply grateful for your hard work and commitment to our collective music-making.

To me, personally, Tuesday night was a strong reminder of the many reasons why music is so powerful. Yes, it is a lot of FUN to get together and play an engaging piece of music for an enthusiastic audience. But beyond that, we get to utilize music as a vehicle to connect with each other. We get to raise our collective voice for issues that are important to us. Our music inspires people to reflect, think, feel, and act. Our art has the power to make a palpable, immediate positive difference in the lives of many. And that’s what happened Tuesday night. Our youngest performer on stage was 5 years old, and our oldest was 94. It was a truly multi-generational celebration, including the many alumni who joined us on stage.

Also, big shout-out to our Jazz All-Stars quintet and their director Christopher Brown. You guys really hit it out of the park.

So, THANK YOU ALL! If you are a graduating senior, please stay in touch! If you’ll be in the orchestra next school year, I cannot wait to work with you again (it will be my 10th anniversary season with MYS!).

Thank you also to our amazing volunteer group managers (Beth, Katrina, Mark, James), the MYS team (Diana, Mark, Sarah, Kyra, Suzanne), our Board of Directors, your families (who bring you to rehearsals, remind you to practice, etc, etc, etc…) and the many supporters of our organization.

Have a fantastic summer! I look forward to seeing a bunch of you at YMA, PSE and around town.

Best,

Dr. G.

MYS Symphony Orchestra, Jazz All-Stars, Community Choir and esperanza spalding
June 17, 2025 | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall | Photo by Ricardo Quintana

E-mail to singers – 6/11/25

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Hi all,

We’ve had a few more people sign up to join us since my last email. Woohoo! Below are answers to a few questions I’ve received, as well as the information that went out in my previous email, before a few folks signed up. 

1. Memorization: not required! Though please familiarize yourself with the words and music so you can look up as much as possible and connect with esperanza and the audience. 

2. Attire: all black. For more details go to page 6 here. (ignore the “black mask optional” part, it’s outdated!)

3. Sheet music. Please print your own. However, if you cannot print, please shoot me an e-mail and we’ll print for you. 

4. Black binder. Please bring a plain, black binder for your sheet music. If you cannot source one, please let us know and we’ll help out. 

5. Call sheet. Our current call sheet for the concert day can be accessed here. Most important information: call time at the Schnitz on 6/17 is 2:30pm. Rehearsal on stage from 3pm to 4:15pm. At the concert, singers will enter the choir loft during intermission. Stay tuned for more information about backstage space for you, etc. 

6. Sign-ups will be open until Friday 6/13. Please feel free to spread the word further. We’d love to welcome even more singers. Here’s a link to the sign-up form: https://forms.gle/NdQpQt77ZSYyGNnU7
———————————-
Information from original email: 

REPERTOIRE

1. esperanza spalding: Ebony and Ivy

– UPDATED CHOIR PART (AS OF 6/12/25)

– Full score for reference. 

– Reference recording.

2. esperanza spalding: Dispelling the Lie of Lies (MYS commission, world premiere)

– Voice part (PRINT THIS ONE – unison for all, to be sung with orchestra singing as well)

– Full score for reference

– MIDI mock audio reference (the three singing sections happen at 5m46s, 11m33s and 13m24s)

– Video for practicing vocal part.

SCHEDULE

– Detailed rehearsal plans are here. Location is All Saints Catholic School: 601 NE Cesar E Chavez Blvd, Portland, OR 97232

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[canceled] Side-by-Side with Oregon Symphony

Posted on by mys-staff

[update 6/10/25]

Hi all,

This event has been canceled. We will keep everybody posted about a rescheduled date in the 2025-2026 season.

Thanks!!

The Oregon Symphony has selected MYS to take part in a side-by-side opportunity in June, in collaboration with the Young Composers Project.

We will be workshopping a brand new piece from the OS’s first-ever Emerging Composer Fellowship. Their inaugural fellow is Caleb Palka, an MYS alum. Caleb was the first composer to be commissioned by The Authentic Voice, MYS’s collaboration with the Young Composers Project, back in 2017.

Please mark your calendars for:

  • Saturday, June 21 – 10:00am-12:00pm (rehearsal with Dr. G.)
  • Sunday, June 22 – 4:00pm-6:30pm (session with Oregon Symphony musicians and David Danzmayr)

Location will be All Saints Catholic School (our usual rehearsal space).

I realize that this is after our last concert on June 17, and some of you might be unavailable. We will send out an RSVP form so you can let us know if you can be there.

For now, please do pencil in those dates. We are honored to have been invited by the Oregon Symphony.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Oregon Symphony with Music Director David Danzmayr | Photo by Oregon Symphony

Tempi in “Drums” by James P. Johnson

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Hi all,

A quick note about tempi in “Drums,” for those of you joining this Sunday or next week:

All tempi will be performed as printed, with the following exceptions/notes:

  • m. 421: no subito tempo change. Instead, stay at half-note = 126 and ritardando to 88.
  • m. 441: tempo should be half note = 108
  • m. 473: tempo should be half note = 88
  • m. 489: we will play this a tempo (no allargando), at half note = 126

Thanks and see you soon!

James P. Johnson

“Ebony & Ivy” Spoken Word & Rhythm

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

Below is a link to a PDF with the words and rhythm to be spoken in esperanza’s “Ebony & Ivy.”

Please practice it!

Words and Rhythm in “Ebony and Ivy”

Best,

Raúl/Dr. G.

and from earlier this week:

PLEASE PRACTICE the singing in “Dispelling the Lie of Lies”

I’ve created a YouTube video for those of us who play esperanza’s commission to practice our singing. It’s below, and also on our reference YouTube playlist.

MIDI mock audio of “Dispelling the Lie of Lies”

This video has been on our reference YouTube playlist for a while, but as of last Sunday, it only had 35 views. It has 53 views today (yay!). Please use it to practice and become extremely familiar with this piece. We are playing the world premiere of a new commissioned piece by 5-time-GRAMMY-award-winning esperanza spalding. I’ll type that again: We are playing the world premiere of a new commissioned piece by 5-time-GRAMMY-award-winning esperanza spalding. It’s a big deal! Thanks in advance for your thorough preparation.

Program Page, Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Below are links to updated PDFs with our program page and part assignments including alumni.

For practice PDFs and to consult full scores, please go to our Online Music Library. The password is playmys.

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Raúl/Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan: June 14 to June 17

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Location of Rehearsals

Rehearsals are at All Saints Catholic School: 601 NE Cesar E Chavez Blvd, Portland, OR 97232 (cafeteria; with glass doors facing NE Glisan)

Rehearsal Plan for Saturday, June 14, 2025

  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before you are needed.
  • NEW START TIME: 6:30pm!!
  • 6:30pm-7:00pm – esperanza repertoire (emphasis on singing sections)
  • 7:00pm-8:00pm – esperanza repertoire
    • Ebony & Ivy
    • Dispelling the Lie of Lies
    • Midnight in Carlotta’s Hair
  • 8:00pm-8:20pm – Price
  • 8:20pm-8:30pm – break
  • 8:30pm-8:50pm – Johnson
  • 8:50pm-9:05pm – Armstrong with Raúl
  • 9:05pm-9:20pm – Kodály with Raúl
  • 9:20pm-9:30pm – La Vida es un Carnaval (strings, percussion)

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, June 15, 2025

  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before you are needed.
  • NEW START TIME: 3:30pm!!
  • 3:30pm-4:00pm – spots in esperanza’s repertoire
  • 4:00pm-5:30pm – with esperanza spalding:
    • Ebony & Ivy
    • Midnight in Carlotta’s Hair
    • Dispelling the Lie of Lies
  • 5:30pm – esperanza and Jazz All-Stars move to Library for “Throw it Away.”
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm – break
  • 5:45pm- 6:15pm – Johnson
  • 6:15pm – 6:30pm – Armstrong with Andrés Lopera
  • 6:30pm-7:00pm – Kodály with Mr. Balogh

Rehearsal Plan for Monday, June 16, 2025 (final full rehearsal)

  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before you are needed.
  • NEW START TIME: 6:30pm!!
  • 6:30pm-7:00pm – spots in esperanza’s repertoire
  • 7:00pm-8:15pm – repertoire with esperanza spalding in program order.
    • Ebony & Ivy
    • Throw It Away
    • Dispelling the Lie of Lies
    • Midnight in Carlotta’s Hair
  • 8:15pm – [if needed] esperanza and Jazz All-Stars move to Library for more “Throw it Away.”
  • 8:15pm-8:30pm – break
  • 8:30pm-9:30pm – 1st half of concert in *reverse* program order
    • 8:30pm-8:40pm – Kodály with Mr. Balogh
    • 8:40pm-8:55pm – Armstrong with Andrés Lopera
    • 8:55pm-9:10pm – Johnson
    • 9:10pm-9:25pm – Price
    • 9:25pm-9:30pm – La Vida es un Carnaval (strings, percussion)

Rehearsal Plan for Tuesday, June 17, 2025

  • See call sheet here.
  • 2:00pm: call time for percussionists, jazz quintet and group managers.
  • 2:30pm: call time for rest of orchestra.
  • 3:00pm-4:15pm: rehearse 2nd half of show (esperanza pieces)
  • 5:10pm: call time for most alumni (double-check part assignments and call sheet).
  • 5:35pm-6:25pm – rehearse 1st half of show (Price, Johnson, Armstrong, Kodaly)
  • 6:25pm-6:35pm – transition on stage
  • 6:35pm-6:55pm – La Vida es un Carnaval (strings, percussion)
  • 7:30pm: concert

Program Page

The full program page with repertoire and timings can be found here.

Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Updated part assignments can be accessed below:

For practice PDFs and to consult full scores, please go to our Online Music Library. The password is playmys.

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

MYS Symphony Orchestra | March 2, 2025 | Newmark Theatre | Photo by Richard Kolbell

Rehearsal Notes: 6/3/25

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Hi all,

Thanks for a productive rehearsal on Sunday, June 1st. It was great to have a few alumni join, and we were able to stick to our rehearsal plan for the whole evening. This coming Sunday, we expect most of our participating alumni. When you arrive at All Saints, please check in at the table by the entrance and make sure to grab your name tag.

For our rehearsal plan for Sunday, June 8th (and the rest of rehearsals), as well as location information, please refer to this post, which I will make sure to keep updated.

Below are a few important notes relevant to your practice and preparation.

Thanks!

Raúl/Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, June 8, 2025

  • Please arrive by 3:45pm.
  • Refer to this post for our detailed rehearsal plan.

PLEASE PRACTICE the singing in “Dispelling the Lie of Lies”

I’ve created a YouTube video for those of us who play esperanza’s commission to practice our singing. It’s below, and also on our reference YouTube playlist.

MIDI mock audio of “Dispelling the Lie of Lies”

This video has been on our reference YouTube playlist for a while, but as of last Sunday, it only had 35 views. It has 53 views today (yay!). Please use it to practice and become extremely familiar with this piece. We are playing the world premiere of a new commissioned piece by 5-time-GRAMMY-award-winning esperanza spalding. I’ll type that again: We are playing the world premiere of a new commissioned piece by 5-time-GRAMMY-award-winning esperanza spalding. It’s a big deal! Thanks in advance for your thorough preparation.

Program Page, Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Below are links to updated PDFs with our program page and part assignments including alumni.

For practice PDFs and to consult full scores, please go to our Online Music Library. The password is playmys.

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Raúl/Dr. G.

esperanza spalding | Photo by Weiyu Dang

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Rehearsal Plan for June 1, 2025

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

I hope you all had a fun Memorial Day weekend! Below is our rehearsal plan for this Sunday, June 1, along with a few useful links as we enter the homestretch of preparing for our June 17 concert.

Update (5/29/25): We have confirmation that esperanza WILL join us for rehearsal this Sunday.

Jazz All-Stars: please plan to be there at 3:45pm this Sunday.

Alumni: You’re welcome to join starting this Sunday if you’re in town and you see your assigned piece(s) listed in my rehearsal plan below.

Thanks!

Raúl/Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, June 1, 2025

  • Please arrive by 3:45pm.
  • 4:00pm-5:00pm – esperanza spalding: Dispelling the Lie of Lies
  • 5:00pm-5:15pm – esperanza spalding: Ebony and Ivy
  • 5:15pm-5:30pm – Wayne Shorter: Midnight in Carlotta’s Hair
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm – break
  • 5:45pm-6:15pm – James P. Johnson: Drums
  • 6:15pm-6:45pm – Florence Price: Dances in the Canebrakes
  • 6:45pm-7:00pm – Arr. Ted Ricketts: Satchmo!

Program Page, UPDATED Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Below are links to updated PDFs with our program page and part assignments including alumni.

For practice PDFs and to consult full scores, please go to our Online Music Library. The password is playmys.

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Raúl/Dr. G.

esperanza spalding | Photo by Sandrine Lee

Notes from Dr. G. – May 21, 2025

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

Starting with this message, I’m adding all participating alumni and members of MYS Jazz All-Stars to this email list. Welcome, all!!

Also, congrats to all of you who recently performed at our Community Concerts! (MYSfits, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz, etc). What a fantastic set of concerts!

There is no rehearsal this coming Sunday (May 25) because of Memorial Day Weekend. Alumni and Jazz All-Stars are welcome to join rehearsals starting on Sunday, June 1 if you’re in town. I will send an email on Tuesday next week (May 27) with our rehearsal plan for June 1st. After that, you can reference this post with our rehearsal plan for June 8th onwards.

Finally, there are a few changes in our Part Assignment Rosters for the first half of the concert. Please double-check each of the four pages to see if your assignment has changed.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, May 25, 2025

  • Please arrive by 3:45pm.
  • No rehearsal this week!

Program Page, UPDATED Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Below are links to updated PDFs with our program page and part assignments including alumni.

For practice PDFs and to consult full scores, please go to our Online Music Library. The password is playmys.

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

MYS Jazz All-Stars | May 18, 2025, All Saints Church | Photo by MYS

Rehearsal Plan for May 18, 2025

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

We will have a shorter rehearsal this coming Sunday (5/18) for most of you: 4:00pm-5:30pm. The second half of rehearsal will be MYSfits only (5:45pm-7:00pm). Please consider staying to support your friends playing in the Community Concert happening upstairs in the church starting at 7:00pm.

Additionally, we will have a special guest spend time with us at the beginning of rehearsal: Ginette DePreist. Ms. DePreist was married to the legendary conductor James DePreist, who was the transformational Music Director of the Oregon Symphony from 1980 to 2003. That was only one of his many musical achievements on the world stage. Listen to Ms. DePreist talk about her life with Mr. DePreist here. Our theme this season is “barrier breakers,” and Mr. DePreist is a shining example.

Reminders:

Please listen to our reference video/audio regularly. It’s all on the sidebar of this blog and this YouTube playlist.

Unless you’re a graduating senior, it’s time to re-register for next season to avoid having to re-audition. No exceptions will be made. Your deadline is June 17th. Anybody who registers after June 17th will have to re-audition.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, May 18, 2025

  • Please arrive by 3:45pm.
  • 4:00pm-4:20pm – Visit by Ginette DePreist
  • 4:20pm-4:50pm – Johnson
  • 4:50pm-5:10pm – Kodály
  • 5:10pm-5:30pm – spalding
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm – end of rehearsal for most musicians / break
  • 5:45pm-7:00pm: MYSfits only

Program Page, Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Below are links to updated PDFs with our program page and part assignments including alumni.

For practice PDFs and to consult full scores, please go to our Online Music Library. The password is playmys.

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

MYS Symphony Orchestra cellist Leah Almeida with Concert Orchestra | May 10, 2025 | Photo by MYS