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.

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Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, January 19, 2025

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

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Star Wars 1977 U.S. Commercial Movie Poster

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.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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See you Thursday!

Best,

Dr. G.

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

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.

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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)

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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Happy holidays!

Best,

Dr. G.

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

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.

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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

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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See you Sunday!

Best,

Dr. G.

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

Hi everyone,

Thanks for a solid read-through of most of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 on Sunday 11/17, as well as a great first pass at Frazar Henry’s Seas of Glass. Below is our rehearsal plan for Sunday 11/24, plus a link to our friend Richard Kolbell’s photos from our 11/10 concert.

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Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, November 24

• 4:00pm-5:00pm – Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 2 – finish reading the 3rd movement, from reh #34 to the end. PLEASE PRACTICE THE SECTION that starts at #34. Metronome goal is half note = 126.
• 5:00pm-5:30pm – Weber, Clarinet Concerto No. 2 (movement 3) – no soloist
• 5:30pm-5:45pm – break
• 5:45pm-7:00pm – Dvořák, Violin Concerto (movement 3) – no soloist

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Add bar numbers to EVERYTHING (and your name too)

Please make it a habit to write your name on each of your parts, and add measure numbers at the beginning of each line. This is good for everything you play, ever, now and forever 🙂

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

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Come support MYS colleagues at Oregon Symphony masterclass this Saturday (11/23)

Leena Karmarkar and Elizabeth Shen will perform in a masterclass by OSO guest soloist Vadim Gluzman. Saturday, November 23 from 10:30am-noon. Location: 851 SW 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97204 – 1st floor – entrance is on the corner of SW 6th and Taylor.

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Photos by Richard Kolbell from 11/10 concert

Richard Kolbell’s photos can be accessed below. If you use any of the photos for any purpose (social media, websites, etc), please be sure to credit him (e.g. “photo by Richard Kolbell).

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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.

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No rehearsal on December 1

We have Thanksgiving weekend off. But please do practice! Remember this is a shorter concert term compared to our other 3 concerts, and we have a long break for the holidays. Individual preparation is key.

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Happy practicing,

Dr. G.

MYS Symphony Orchestra | Photo by Richard Kolbell, Nov 10, 2024

Hi everybody,

Excellent work with David Danzmayr on Sunday. As I mentioned, he was impressed and I was proud of you. I hope you felt proud of yourselves as well.

This is the home stretch before our concert on Sunday, November 10th: the season opener for our 50th Anniversary Season. Please do practice at home, and be strategic with how you spend your time. I know you’re all very busy with school and other extracurriculars. Make sure to get enough sleep too.

Recap of Sunday and plans for the whole week are below. Please make sure to arrive by 6:45pm for each of our upcoming evening rehearsals.

RECAP of 10/27 rehearsal

• Tchaikovsky with David Danzmayr.
• Crain-Keddie’s Innamorata: letter [R] to end.
• Mazzoli: letter [U] to end of piece.
• Beethoven: we were only able to work briefly on the introduction.

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Rehearsal Plan for Thursday, 11/7

• 6:45pm arrival
• 7:00pm-8:20pm: Beethoven
• 8:20pm-8:30pm: break
• 8:30pm-9:30pm: Mazzoli

Rehearsal Plan for Friday, 11/8

• 6:45pm arrival
• 7:00pm-7:45pm: Crain-Keddie’s Innamorata
• 7:45pm-9:00pm: Tchaikovsky (with 10-min break somewhere in the middle)
• 9:00pm-9:30pm: Beethoven

Rehearsal Plan for Saturday, 11/9

6:45pm arrival, then rehearsal in concert order:

1. Beethoven
2. Crain-Keddie
3. Mazzoli
4. Tchaikovsky

Sunday, November 10 (concert day)

• Call time: 5:00pm
• Call sheet with all details is linked here.
• 5:30pm-6:15pm – very short on-stage sound-check rehearsal. Concert order.

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Extra/replacement parts on the MYS website

• As always, you can find practice PDFs or print your own replacement parts on your Online Music Library. The password is playmys.

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Happy practicing,

Dr. G.

MYS Symphony Orchestra in rehearsal with David Danzmayr | Photos by Oregon Symphony, 11/3/24

Hi everybody,

Thank you to everybody who submitted auditions for this season’s Concerto Competition. All the submissions showed hard work and talent. It wasn’t easy to narrow it down for the final round on November 1st. Below are the finalists (in alphabetical order by last name) and one alternate finalist.

• Leah Almeida (cello) – David Popper, Hungarian Rhapsody for Cello
• Tai Friel (trombone) – Ferdinand David, Concertino for Trombone and Orchestra
• Ciela Heiles (bassoon) – Henri Tomasi, Bassoon Concerto, Mvt. 1
• Soren Holbrook (viola) – Cecil Forsyth, Viola Concerto in G minor, mvt. 1
• Leena Karmarkar (violin) – Antonín Dvořák, Violin Concerto in A minor, mvt. 3
• Kaden Prichard (clarinet) – Carl Maria von Weber, Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in E-flat major, mvt. 3

• Alternate finalist: Rowan Furrer (cello) – Joseph Haydn, Cello Concert No. 2 in D Major, mvt. 1 (performs on 11/1 if a finalist is unable to participate)

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Congrats to all! The rest of us: let’s make sure to mark our calendars for Friday, November 1st at 7:00pm at The Madeleine at 3123 NE 24th Ave, Portland, OR 97212. Come support your friends!

Dr. G.

Ian Ko, cello – one of the winners of the MYS Concerto Competition 2023-2024