SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes for 9/28/25

Hi everyone,

Sunday’s rehearsal was enjoyable and productive. It was also a reality check on the 1st movement of the Brahms Symphony and the middle section of the 2nd movement of the Flute Concerto. Please continue to be strategic and responsible with your practicing. Below is a recap from Sunday 9/21 and our plan for Sunday 9/28, as well as other important information and reminders.

Best,

Dr. G.


Rehearsal Recap – September 21, 2025

  • String sections had coaching sessions, and winds/brass had a sectional with Adam. We focused on the 1st movement of the Brahms Symphony. I enjoyed working with the 2nd violins, and was very pleased with our time together.
  • The tutti portion of rehearsal focused mostly on the 1st movement of the Brahms Symphony. We read the whole movement, and went back to work on the exposition (beginning to the repeat sign, which we are *not* taking). This is a difficult movement. Let’s make sure all the solos in the winds and horn are super confident, and @strings: please be very diligent in your practicing with articulation, and have solid fingerings that will allow you to play with full confidence. @trombones – my adapted parts for you seemed to work well. Please let me know if you have any suggested changes.
  • We also read the 2nd movement of the Flute Concerto. We all saw that the middle portion of this movement (in the style of a Venezuelan joropo) is VERY challenging rhythmically. Please work on this section a lot.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, September 28, 2025

  • Arrival: 5:15pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
  • 5:30pm-6:45pm – coachings and sectionals
    • Strings and woodwinds with RGR in cafeteria – work on Brahms, Movs 2 and 3
    • Horns coaching – with Jeff Garza – work on Brahms, Movs 2 and 3
    • Trumpets coaching – with Joe Klause – work on Brahms, Movs 1, 3 and 4
    • Low brass coaching – coach TBD – work on Brahms, Movs 1 (my adapted parts) and 4.
  • 6:45pm-7:00pm – break (everybody back to cafeteria)
  • 7:45pm-8:30pm – Brahms: movements 3 and 4 (low brass dismissed at 7:45pm)
  • 8:30pm – help reset the room and make sure no doors are left propped open.

Brahms: 1st Violin fingerings from San Francisco Symphony

Our coach from Sunday (Eri) shared this with me. If you play 1st violin in the Brahms Symphony, feel free to check out these fingerings, and transfer them to your parts if you like them.


Register for Music Theory (there’s still time!)

Our intermediate and advanced Music Theory classes take place on Tuesday evenings, starting September 30. This class is STRONGLY recommended for everyone. More information and registration here.


Reminder: Concerto Competition

This is coming fast!! The first deadline for pre-approval is Monday, October 6. You must email me with your music selection(s) by this date. This webpage on our website has all you need to know about our Concerto Competition. I hope many of you will participate. Your completed forms (registration and teacher approval) are due by Wednesday, October 8. Video entries are due Friday, October 10, and the live final round is October 24.


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

No updates to any of these documents this week. Be sure to visit the YouTube playlist (especially for Giancarlo’s piece, in this case). Feel free to create your own playlists on your favorite streaming service. The important thing is that you LISTEN regularly and frequently.


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.


Recruit for 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, french horns and one trombone. 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 on Monday afternoons for “one-off” violin, viola or conducting lessons. The lessons can be in person at my home studio 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 on Sunday)

Dr. G.


MYS students near the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall,
while I try to awkwardly hide a missing button from my jacket, which fell off right before the photo shoot
(August, 2025) | Photo by Sheepscot Creative

Rehearsal Plan for February 9, 2025

Hi everybody,

Thanks for a great rehearsal on February 2nd. We made great progress on Palia and Star Wars (movements 3, 2 and a little work on 1).

Please see our rehearsal plan for Sunday, February 9 below. We will have brass coaches on site for sectionals.

Dr. G.


Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, February 9, 2025

[updated on 1/31]

  • 4:00pm-5:30pm: YCP Piece (“Cartoon Music”) – full score for reference here. Parts coming soon.
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm: break
  • 5:45pm-7:00pm:
    • Brass sectionals with coaches: Star Wars
    • Strings, woodwinds, percussion with Dr. G: Star Wars

March 2 Updated Part Assignments and Practice Parts

If you need fresh parts (because you lost yours, or for YCP practice parts before Sunday), please go to our Online Music Library. The password is playmys. Note: YCP parts will be uploaded between ASAP this week. Check back later if you don’t see them yet.

Updated part assignments can be accessed here. Updated percussion assignments are here. Please check back later this week for final assignments for the YCP piece.


Audio Reference

I’ve created a YouTube playlist where you can find audio reference tracks for our March 2 repertoire, including the Star Wars Suite. The playlist is here. I will also add the individual videos to the sidebar of this blog.


Updated repertoire for June 17 concert

We’ve updated the repertoire for the first half of our Season Finale Concert, which will involve MYS alumni from throughout the history of the organization. The updated repertoire sheet is here (page 2).


Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.


MYS Symphony Orchestra | January 12, 2025 | Newmark Theatre | Photo by Richard Kolbell

Rehearsal Plan for Jan 26, 2025

Hi everybody,

Sorry for the delayed rehearsal plan (I typically write to you on Tuesdays and it’s Wednesday late evening).

We will continue work on Star Wars this week, as well as start Christopher Tin’s Waloyo Yamoni (our collaboration with PYC). Please download and print your Waloyo Yamoni part to practice before Sunday. Also, please listen to the reference video.

I have added wind and brass assignments for Waloyo Yamoni. Check again towards the end of the week for full assignments (hopefully), including the YCP film piece and Steffen Schmidt’s music from Palia.

Dr. G.


Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, January 19, 2025

  • 4:00pm-5:15pm: Waloyo Yamoni
  • 5:15pm-5:30pm: break
  • 5:30pm-7:00pm: Star Wars (movements 1 and 5)

ICYMI: March 2 Concert Repertoire

Check out the full program for our next concert here (and you can also take a peek at our June concert repertoire).

In addition to Star Wars, we’re collaborating with Pacific Youth Choir on a piece by Christopher Tin, the composer of the soundtrack for the video game franchise “Civilization.” We’re also welcoming an MYS alum: Steffen Schmidt. He’s a successful video game composer based in L.A. and Seoul. We’ll be playing his music for the video game Palia. Finally, a collaborative world premiere by students of the Young Composers Project, accompanying a brand new animated film by students from Portland Art Museum’s Center for an Untold Tomorrow.


March 2 Part Assignments and Practice Parts

As I mentioned above, I’ve added winds/brass assignments for Waloyo Yamoni. Check towards the end of the week for more assignments. The part assignment PDF can always be found on the sidebar of this blog.

Strings: I’ve added bowed parts for Waloyo Yamoni. The password to access our Online Music Library is playmys.

Again, please download and print your Waloyo Yamoni part to practice before Sunday. Also, please listen to the reference video.

Part assignments so far can be accessed here. Percussion assignments are here.


Audio Reference

I’ve created a YouTube playlist where you can find audio reference tracks for our March 2 repertoire, including the Star Wars Suite. The playlist is here. I will also add the individual videos to the sidebar of this blog.


Access practice parts on the MYS website

Go to our Online Music Library to find PDF practice parts of our repertoire.

The password to access our Online Music Library is playmys.


Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.


Hunter Noack with MYS Symphony Orchestra | January 12, 2025 | Newmark Theatre | Photo by Richard Kolbell

Rehearsal Plan for Jan 19, 2025 (Star Wars!)

Hi all,

I’m very proud of all of you, and exceedingly grateful for a fantastic concert last Sunday. I look forward to speaking a bit about it this coming Sunday at rehearsal.

I also look forward to starting new music, in what will be a SHORT rehearsal period in preparation for our March 2nd Concert.

Dr. G.


Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, January 19, 2025

  • 4:00pm-7:00pm: STAR WARS! (with a break somewhere in the middle)

March 2 Concert Repertoire

Check out the full program for our next concert here (and you can also take a peek at our June concert repertoire).

In addition to Star Wars, we’re collaborating with Pacific Youth Choir on a piece by Christopher Tin, the composer of the soundtrack for the video game franchise “Civilization.” We’re also welcoming an MYS alum: Steffen Schmidt. He’s a successful video game composer based in L.A. and Seoul. We’ll be playing his music for the video game Palia. Finally, a collaborative world premiere by students of the Young Composers Project, accompanying a brand new animated film by students from Portland Art Museum’s Center for an Untold Tomorrow.


March 2 Part Assignments

Thank you to those of you who submitted optional leadership auditions. It was great to hear your progress and “check in” with you this way.

As of today (Thursday, 1/16, 3pm-ish), I’ve only created winds/brass assignments for Star Wars. All strings have been assigned for each half of this upcoming concert. I will update wind/brass and percussion as the new assignments are created.

Part assignments so far can be accessed here. Percussion assignments are here.


Audio Reference

I’ve created a YouTube playlist where you can find audio reference tracks for our March 2 repertoire, including the Star Wars Suite. The playlist is here. I will also add the individual videos to the sidebar of this blog.


Access practice parts on the MYS website

Please download your assigned part for Star Wars and spend some time with it before Sunday. Go to our Online Music Library to find digital files of this music and the rest of our repertoire.

Strings: given the short rehearsal period for this concert, I’m adding bowings for everything (and fingerings for violins and violas).

The password to access our Online Music Library is playmys.


Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.


Star Wars 1977 U.S. Commercial Movie Poster

Rehearsal Plan: Concert Week – Jan 9, 10, 11, 12

Hi all,

I was happy with the progress on Rachmaninoff on Sunday (Jan 5). Thanks for practicing! Please keep up the good work, and make sure to 1) listen to, and 2) practice the other pieces between now and our Thursday evening rehearsal.

Also, as I mentioned, I posted Hunter Noack’s practice recordings here. These are private and not to be shared. This is your first-hand source for knowing exactly how our soloist plays the piece. It’s useful to follow along with a full score, which you can find on the MYS digital library (password playmys) or here.

Our plan for the week is below (subject to changes).

Please remember that our evening rehearsals this week will take place at The Madeleine Parish – 3123 NE 24th Ave, Portland, OR 97212. Look for the MYS sign.

Dr. G.


Rehearsal Plan for Thursday, Jan 9 (at The Madeleine Parish)

  • 6:45pm arrival
  • 7:00pm-8:00pm: Rachmaninoff (with Hunter Noack)
  • 8:00pm-8:30pm: “All By Myself” (with Hunter Noack)
  • 8:30pm-8:40pm: Break
  • 8:40pm-9:10pm: Dvořák Violin Concerto (with Leena)
  • 9:10pm-9:30pm: Weber Clarinet Concerto (with Kaden)

Rehearsal Plan for Friday, Jan 10

  • 6:45pm arrival
  • 7:00pm-8:10pm: Rachmaninoff (with Hunter Noack)
  • 8:10pm-8:30pm: “All By Myself” (with Hunter Noack)
  • 8:30pm-8:40pm: Break
  • 8:40pm-9:05pm: Seas of Glass
  • 9:05pm-9:30pm: Dvořák Violin Concerto and Weber Clarinet Concerto (orchestra only, spots)

Rehearsal Plan for Saturday, Jan 11

Dress rehearsal in concert order:

  • 6:45pm arrival
  • 7:00pm-7:20pm: Seas of Glass
  • 7:20pm-7:40pm: Dvořák Violin Concerto (with Leena)
  • 7:40pm-8:00pm: Weber Clarinet Concerto (with Kaden)
  • 8:00pm-8:10pm: break
  • 8:10pm-9:30pm: Rachmaninoff & Encore (“All By Myself”)

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, Jan 12 (at Newmark Theatre)

  • 3:00pm: call time for percussionists
  • 3:30pm: call time for orchestra (except percussionists)
  • 4:00pm-4:55pm: Rachmaninoff & Encore (“All By Myself”)
  • 4:55pm-5:05pm: stage change (water/bathroom break, stay on stage if possible)
  • 5:05pm-5:15pm: Seas of Glass
  • 5:15pm-5:35pm: Dvořák Violin Concerto (with Leena)
  • 5:35pm-5:50pm: Weber Clarinet Concerto (with Kaden)

Not too late: please add bar numbers to all pieces

Another reminder: please make it a habit to write your name on each of your parts, and add measure numbers at the beginning of each line.

Bonus: this post with reference measure numbers for Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2.


Access practice parts on the MYS website

If you misplace your parts and need to print replacements, or need access to PDFs for any reason, you may go to our Online Music Library to find digital files of everything we’re playing.

The password to access our Online Music Library is playmys.


See you Thursday!

Best,

Dr. G.


Woodwinds and Brass | Photography by Richard Kolbell | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 11/12/24

MYSfits Piazzolla Roster

Posted in MYSfits3 Comments on MYSfits Piazzolla Roster

Leave a Reply

Rehearsal Plan for Jan 5, 2025 (Concert Week)

Hi all,

Thanks for your work on Sunday. We now go into a long holiday break and we see each other again on Sunday, January 5. Below are a few requests for you to do between now and then:

  1. Please do a ton of listening. As you know, there are reference videos on the main page of this blog. And also, for your convenience, here is a YouTube playlist that contains each piece on our program, in concert order. Please listen every day if possible, even if it’s as background music as you do homework, etc. And even better: pick a piece or movement each day, and do some deep listening, following along with your part or a full score.
  2. Please practice. Be responsible and be strategic. Bring your individual parts to your absolute best between now and January 5th. You have everything you need to do this. Use your metronome, practice difficult passages SLOWLY. Play along to a recording to help identify challenging moments.
  3. Please add bar numbers to all pieces. This will save a lot of rehearsal time. Please do it.

All that said, also get some rest. Sleep well. Enjoy the holidays with your loved ones <3

I look forward to seeing you again in the new year.

Dr. G.


Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, January 5, 2025

  • 4:00pm-4:25pm: Seas of Glass (whole piece)
  • 4:25pm-5:00pm: Rachmaninoff, mov 3 (from #35 to end of piece)
  • 5:00pm-5:30pm: Rachmaninoff, mov 1 and 2 (no soloist)
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm: break
  • 5:45pm-6:15pm: More Rachmaninoff as needed
  • 6:15pm-6:40pm: Dvořák (no soloist)
  • 6:40pm-7:00pm: Weber (no soloist)

Please add bar numbers to all pieces

Another reminder: please make it a habit to write your name on each of your parts, and add measure numbers at the beginning of each line.

Bonus: this post with reference measure numbers for Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2.


Optional leadership auditions

Optional leadership auditions are due Friday, January 3. This is an opportunity for you to be considered for leadership positions for our March 2025 concert, or to show me your work if you feel my rotations are not giving you the part assignments you’d like. Please record a video with at least 3 minutes of repertoire of your choice. It can be solo repertoire, or any music you’ve played with your ensembles at MYS, school, etc. E-mail me a video link directly at rgomez@playmys.org with the subject line “MYS Symphony Orchestra Leadership Audition.”


Access practice parts on the MYS website

If you misplace your parts and need to print replacements, or need access to PDFs for any reason, you may go to our Online Music Library to find digital files of everything we’re playing.

The password to access our Online Music Library is playmys.


Happy holidays!

Best,

Dr. G.


Happy Holidays! | Photography by Richard Kolbell | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 11/12/24

Updated Rehearsal Plan for 12/15

Hi everyone,

Only one more rehearsal before our holiday break, then we come back pretty much to concert week, including our weeknight evening rehearsals at The Madeleine School.

Please practice. This is why I send out rehearsal plans, so that you know what to focus on each week. Learning your individual part at home in advance of rehearsal is required. It’s part of your commitment for being a member of this orchestra. As I often say, it’s also very helpful to listen to recordings of our repertoire regularly. See the videos I’ve share on this webpage (sidebar on a computer, bottom of page if on mobile).

Please see below for an updated rehearsal plan for Sunday.

Best,

Dr. G.


Updated Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, December 15

  • 4:00pm-4:30pm: Seas of Glass (letter G to end of piece)
  • 4:30pm-5:30pm: Rachmaninoff mov. 2 & 3
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm: break
  • 5:45pm-6:20pm: Rachmaninoff mov 3
  • 6:20pm-6:50pm: Weber with Kaden
  • 6:50pm-7:00pm: YMA guests

Please add bar numbers to all pieces

Another reminder: please make it a habit to write your name on each of your parts, and add measure numbers at the beginning of each line.

Bonus: this post with reference measure numbers for Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2.


Looking ahead: optional leadership auditions

Optional leadership auditions are due Friday, January 3. This is an opportunity for you to be considered for leadership positions for our March 2025 concert, or to show me your work if you feel my rotations are not giving you the part assignments you’d like. Please record a video with at least 3 minutes of repertoire of your choice. It can be solo repertoire, or any music you’ve played with your ensembles at MYS, school, etc. E-mail me a video link directly at rgomez@playmys.org with the subject line “MYS Symphony Orchestra Leadership Audition.”


Access practice parts on the MYS website

If you misplace your parts and need to print replacements, or need access to PDFs for any reason, you may go to our Online Music Library to find digital files of everything we’re playing.

The password to access our Online Music Library is playmys.


See you Sunday!

Best,

Dr. G.


Look, mom! It’s me with the Oregon Symphony and the Oregon Chorale! | Arlene Schintzer Concert Hall, December 11, 2024 | Photo by Oregon Symphony

MYSfits: Piazzolla Reference Videos

Hi MYSfits,

Below are reference videos for Piazzolla’s Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas. The first four videos are Piazzolla himself performing with his ensembles. After those, I’m embedding the videos from the 2017 MYSfits performing our arrangements.


Piazzola’s Performances

Verano: 1983 at Teatro Colón; Otoño: Montreal 1984; Invierno and Primavera: German TV in 1985.


MYSfits Videos (March 14, 2017)

You can access all videos and save a YouTube playlist to your accounts here. And below are the individual videos.

—.

Posted in MYSfits1 Comment on MYSfits: Piazzolla Reference Videos

Leave a Reply

Rachmaninoff 2nd Concerto – Measure Numbers

For your convenience, and for you to add to your parts, please see the reference list below. Please add measure numbers to the left at the beginning of each line in your part.

Format: [Rehearsal Number]. [Measure Number]

  1. (movement 1) m.11
  2. m.27
  3. m.55
  4. 75
  5. 103
  6. 125
  7. 153
  8. 177
  9. 209
  10. 237
  11. 261
  12. 280
  13. 297
  14. 313
  15. 337
  16. 353
  17. (movement 2) m.9.
  18. m.24
  19. 39
  20. 55
  21. 71
  22. 87
  23. 105
  24. 112
  25. 122
  26. 137
  27. 148
  28. (movement 3) m.43
  29. m.65
  30. 83
  31. 122
  32. 150
  33. 180
  34. 214
  35. 256
  36. 288
  37. 326
  38. 368
  39. 394
  40. Presto: 426
  41. Maestoso: 431
  42. Risoluto: 459

Sergei Rachmaninoff – Bain News Service, publisher – Library of Congress