CONCERT Orchestra Notes for March 15, 2026
Dear Concert Orchestra,
Nice work on Sunday 3/8. Remember that this coming Sunday (3/15) we have a modified rehearsal schedule (2:00pm-4:00pm) due to the MYS Community Concert happening at All Saints at 7pm.
Also, we’ll be welcoming a special guest: Zoe Schlussel, who will be giving a workshop on Body Mapping. More information about this below.
Best,
Dr. G.
rehearsals left before concert
6
Recap – March 8, 2026
- First half of rehearsal: Sectionals on Jupiter
- Strings worked with Casey Bozell
- Trumpets and low brass with Heidi Aispuro
- Horns with Lizzie Upton
- Percussion with Kevin Schlossman
- Second half: tutti work on Jupiter
Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, March 15
Please arrive by 1:45pm. We can always use extra hands to help set up the room if you are able to get there closer to 1:30pm. I will arrive at 1:30pm to open the space.
- Arrival: 1:45pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
- 2:00pm-2:50pm: Tutti
- Reading session of Jacobi Esparza’s Movimientos de la Muerte
- If we have time remaining, we will read the viola concerto (no soloist)
- 2:50pm: break
- 3:00pm-4:00pm: Body Mapping workshop with Zoe Schlussel
- 4:00pm – end of rehearsal
What is Body Mapping?
“Taught in universities, colleges, conservatories, and private studios world-wide, Body Mapping encourages wellness, enhances musicians’ expressive possibilities, and fosters music making without limitations. Body Mapping invites us to replace our faulty body maps with anatomically correct maps in order to reduce tension and allow for effortless and expressive movement.
In Body Mapping, one learns to gain access to one’s own body map through self-observation and self-inquiry. The student corrects his or her own body map by assimilating accurate information provided by kinesthetic experience, the use of a mirror, anatomical models, books, pictures, and teachers. One learns to recognize the source of inefficient or harmful movement and how to replace it with movement that is efficient, elegant, direct, and powerful based on the truth about one’s structure, function, and size.” (excerpt from here).
PSU‘s Zoe Schlussel has generously offered to give this workshop to our students free of charge. We’re very grateful, and I’m very excited to have you work with her this Sunday.
MYS CONCERT Part Assignments, Orchestra Schedule, Repertoire, Audio Reference, etc…
Find all relevant PDFs and links on the side bar of this webpage (or bottom of the page if on mobile).
Spring Concert Date confirmed: Sunday, May 10
Sunday, May 10 at 4pm at The Reser. As usual, a sound check rehearsal will take place earlier in the day. Please mark your calendars!
MYS Concert Orchestra SPRING BREAK
Spring Break for Concert Orchestra will be on Sunday, March 29 and Sunday, April 5. There will be no rehearsals on these dates. Please note that these are different weekends compared to our Saturday rehearsals. The reason is that April 5th is Easter Sunday, so we shifted the break for our Sunday ensembles to avoid having 3 Sundays off in a row. This would have created a disproportionate negative impact on music preparation for our concerts.
Find PDF Practice Parts at the MYS Online Music Library
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 “C.O. Music Library” on the sidebar or the bottom of this blog page. The password is playmys.
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 the MYS building 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)
Dr. G.
Thank you to PSU and Zoe Schlussel for bringing this important workshop to MYS students!
