CONCERT Orchestra Notes – October 20, 2026

Posted on October 20, 2026October 20, 2026 by mys-staff

CONCERT Orchestra Notes – October 20, 2026

Dear Concert Orchestra,

Nice work on Sunday, October 18. The fall term is absolutely flying by, and we only have 3 more regular rehearsals before our performance, plus our dress rehearsal on Saturday, November 14 at 12:30pm (as per our season calendar).

Please continue practicing with a metronome and listening to recordings of the music.

Also, I’d love to get your suggestions for our winter repertoire. Please share your ideas with me by replying to my email. Make sure that it’s music for full orchestra, not too long and just challenging enough. The total duration of our winter repertoire shouldn’t exceed 20 minutes or so.

Please see below for a rehearsal recap, plans for 10/25, and more details.

Best,

Dr. G.

weekend rehearsals left before concert:

3 Rehearsal Recap: Sunday, October 18

5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals
- Strings with Vijeta Sathyaraj @ Contrabassment – worked on Aragonaise, Intermezzo, and others as needed
- Woodwinds and Brass with Adam Eccleston @ Fireside Room – worked on Aragonaise, Danse Bohéme, and others as needed

7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- We took our group photo and then we worked on Aragonaise, Chanson du Toréador, Les Toréadors (with Felipe conducting) and Intermezzo. One of our primary challenges (particularly for Les Toréadors and a little bit Aragonaise) is to keep the tempo. Let’s continue individual work with metronome for those movements particularly.

CONCERT ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, October 25

5:00pm: arrival & check-in
- Sign in by initialing the attendance sheet.

5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals – prioritize Chanson du Toréador and Les Toréadors, work on others as needed.
- Strings with Vijeta Sathyaraj @ Contrabassment
- Woodwinds and Brass with Kim Minson @ Fireside Room

6:30pm-7:00pm: break

7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- Prélude, Les Toréadors, Danse Bohéme, Habanera.

Leadership Auditions due October 27

This is coming up! Our optional leadership auditions are 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 | 10/18/26 | Photo by MYS

Transition between rehearsals on Sundays: plan for hallway traffic and common areas

Posted on October 16, 2026October 16, 2026 by mys-staff

Transition between rehearsals on Sundays: plan for hallway traffic and common areas

Hi everyone,

It’s been wonderful to rehearse in our new building on Sundays. Thank you for working with us as we continue getting to know our space and how we use it.

We’ve noticed that the transition time starting at 6:30pm presents certain challenges related to traffic and congestion in our hallways and common areas. With that in mind and everyone’s safety as a priority, we’d like to try a new plan for this transition starting this Sunday.

We’ll explain and remind everyone in person this Sunday, but for the time being, please read the plan below:

Everyone: Always fully pack up your things before moving through the halls. That includes:

Pack-up your instrument in its case
Put your music in your folder
Collapse your music stand

Concert Orchestra woodwinds and brass: when sectionals end at 6:30pm in the Fireside Room, take the south stairs [S100]—near exit closest to the Fireside Room—to the 2nd floor. Head to the 2nd Floor Landing just outside the Organ Loft. There’s a couch and chairs up there. Please wait there until 6:40pm to come down to the Performance Hall. This gives SO time to pack-up and exit.

Concert Orchestra strings: fully pack up your belongings in the Contrabasement. Remain in the Contrabassment until 6:35pm. Then use the north exterior exit facing Brooklyn St. Use the concrete exterior stairs, take the sidewalk to the right, and re-enter the building through the north entrance by the percussion storage.

Symphony Orchestra: pack up at the end of tutti rehearsal (6:30pm) and proceed to your sectional rooms (strings go down to the Contrabasement and woodwinds/brass to the Fireside Room). Please don’t linger in the Performance Hall more than necessary. Concert Orchestra will be waiting to enter (upstairs and outside).

Thanks!

Mark and Dr. G.

Rescheduling Brass Coachings to manage high-decibel volumes vs. room sizes

Posted on October 16, 2026October 16, 2026 by mys-staff

Rescheduling Brass Coachings to manage high-decibel volumes vs. room sizes

Dear Symphony and Concert Orchestra Brass Players and Families,

As you know, we invite brass professionals (primarily from the Oregon Symphony) once per term to work with each of our brass sections. We had our fall term brass coachings on Sunday, October 4th. On this day, we learned that even after adding acoustical panels to all of our smaller rooms, the high-decibel output of brass instruments is just too high for the size of those rooms.

With our students and coaches’ hearing and overall health in mind, we will move our winter and spring brass coachings to Thursday evenings from 7:00pm-8:30pm (one per term, on Thursday, January 14 and Thursday, May 6). Our brass sections will be able to use our larger spaces (Performance Hall, Contrabasement, Fireside Room and Jazz Room) for their coachings.

Also, we will split the time right down the middle. Students will work with coaches on their orchestra music for 45 minutes, and then they will regroup by instrument (Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra students of the same instrument together) to work in a studio-class setting with each coach. This will allow for instrument-specific training (technique, ensemble skills, etc).

I’ve updated the PDFs linked on the sidebar of this page and the QR codes in the Performance Hall. Please update your calendars, and feel free to reach out with any questions.

Thanks,

Dr. G.

CONCERT Orchestra Notes – October 13, 2026

Posted on October 13, 2026October 13, 2026 by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

CONCERT Orchestra Notes – October 13, 2026

Dear Concert Orchestra,

Thank you for your work in rehearsal on Sunday, October 11.

Please remember to always sign in when you arrive for rehearsal. Only four wind/brass players signed in on Sunday, and there were definitely more of you there.

Please practice with a metronome! Start at slower tempos and make sure you can play your part accurately and comfortably. Then, increase the tempo very gradually to gain facility. See below under “HOW TO PRACTICE WITH A METRONOME.”

Also, a reminder that this coming Sunday (10/18) is our concert dress check and ensemble photo. Please come in concert dress (all black), and make sure a Group Manager OKs your attire.

Finally, our concert is in just about a month from today. The days are going to FLY BY, so let’s make sure everyone’s individual parts are fully learned by now, so we can spend the next 4 weeks bringing our ensemble playing to the highest possible level.

Please see below for a rehearsal recap, plans for 10/18, and more details.

Best,

Dr. G.

weekend rehearsals left before concert:

4 Rehearsal Recap: Sunday, October 11

5:15pm-6:30pm: woodwind coachings – each woodwind section worked with coaches from the Oregon Symphony on relevant passages from all movements. Double reeds were together.

5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals
- Strings with Vijeta Sathyaraj @ Contrabassment – worked on Chanson du Toréador & Danse Bohéme.
- Brass @ Fireside Room – worked on relevant passages from all movements.

7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- We worked on Habanera, Prelude, Danse Bohéme and Aragonaise. Felipe conducted Danse Bohéme. For Aragonaise, @woodwinds: please make sure to practice with a metronome. @everyone: see below for a suggested strategy for metronome practicing.

HOW TO PRACTICE WITH A METRONOME

Metronome practice is crucially important. You should be practicing with a metronome regularly (i.e. every day).

A basic strategy for metronome practice is the following:

Select a specific passage you want to work on (not too short, not too long).
Make sure you have good fingerings/bowings, plans for articulation, dynamics, etc.
Select a VERY slow tempo, at which you can play the passage very accurately and comfortably, with polish and ease, and without stopping.
Repeat a few times (MINDFULLY!! – this means you’ll be trying as best as you can to focus on what you’re doing. Your mind might wander, and that’s OK. Bring your focus back to the music each time it happens. DO NOT practice while watching videos, etc).
If you’re able to play the passage 2 or 3 times (accurately, comfortably, with polish and ease, without mistakes, and without stopping), increase the metronome tempo by 1 o 2 clicks. Go back to step 4, and repeat until you reach performance tempo.

Example with Bizet’s Aragonaise:

Select your passage (e.g. oboe and clarinets, m. 22 to letter C; or 1st violins, m. 73 to m. 82). Start slow (in 3, eight note = 120). Make sure you feel every single eight note in the bar. Increase the metronome tempo gradually until you might want to switch to “in 1.” For example, once you get to eight note = 165, switch to dotted quarter = 55, and continue increasing the tempo until you reach [dotted quarter = 74].

CONCERT ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, October 18

5:00pm: arrival & check-in (COME IN ALL-BLACK CONCERT ATTIRE)
- Sign in at the front desk and head to your sectional rooms.

5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals
- Strings with Vijeta Sathyaraj @ Contrabassment – work on Aragonaise, Intermezzo, and others as needed
- Woodwinds and Brass with Adam Eccleston @ Fireside Room – work on Aragonaise, Danse Bohéme, and others as needed

6:30pm-7:00pm: break

7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- 7pm-7:10pm: Group photo 📸
- 7:10pm-8:30pm: Aragonaise, Chanson du Toréador, Les Torédors, Intermezzo.

Leadership Auditions due October 27

Our optional leadership auditions are 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).

MYS Online Music Library

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

Availability for private lessons

Happy practicing!

Dr. G.

MYS Musicians at Washington Park | Fall 2026 | Photo by Sheepscot Creative

CONCERT Orchestra Notes – October 6, 2026

Posted on October 6, 2026October 13, 2026 by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

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).

MYS Online Music Library

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

Availability for private lessons

Happy practicing!

Dr. G.

MYS Concert Orchestra in rehearsal | 9/27/26 | Photo by MYS

CONCERT Orchestra: Optional Leadership Audition Information

Posted on October 6, 2026October 13, 2026 by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

CONCERT Orchestra: Optional Leadership Audition Information

Please submit your audition video by the deadline of Tuesday, October 27

Instructions:

Please create one single video with all required excerpts. Cuts are not allowed within excerpts. You may do separate takes for each excerpt and stitch them together into a single video.
An audible metronome must be used for your videos.
Please record the part that you are playing during the current concert term (Fall 2026. E.g. if you play 2nd flute, please record 2nd flute; if you play violin 2, please record violin 2).
Upload your video to YouTube and make sure to set the video privacy to “unlisted.”
Submit your audition on this Google form.

Audition Excerpts (all from Bizet’s Carmen Suites No. 1 and No. 2)

Flute 1

Intermezzo: m. 2 to 6 before [B] – quarter = 76
Chanson du Toreador: beginning to [A] – quarter = 100
Danse Boheme: 2 before [P] to the end – quarter = 152

Flute 2

Aragonaise: [A] to [B] – dotter quarter = 76
Chanson du Toreador: beginning to 8 before [A] – quarter = 100
Danse Boheme: 2 before [P] to the end – quarter = 152

Oboe

Aragonaise: [D] to 2nd of [E] – dotter quarter = 76
Chanson du Toreador: beginning to 8 before [A] – quarter = 100
Danse Boheme: 2 before [P] to the end – quarter = 152

Clarinet 1

Aragonaise: [A] to [B] – dotter quarter = 76
Intermezzo: [A] to [B] – quarter = 76
Chanson du Toreador: beginning to [A] – quarter = 100

Clarinet 2

Habanera: 4th of [D] to end – quarter = 72
Chanson du Toreador: beginning to [A] – quarter = 100
Danse Boheme: 2 before [P] to the end – quarter = 152

Bassoon 1

Prelude: entire movement – quarter = 58
Intermezzo: 11 after [A] to end of part – quarter = 76
Les Toreadors: [A] to [B] – quarter = 126

Bassoon 2

Prelude: entire movement – quarter = 58
Les Toreadors: [A] to [B] – quarter = 126

Horn 1

Chanson du Toreador: [B] to 2 before [D] – quarter = 100
Danse Boheme: 2 before [P] to the end – quarter = 152

Trumpet 1

Chanson du Toreador: m. 9 to [B] – quarter = 100
Danse Boheme: [L] to [N] – quarter = 152

Trumpet 2

Prelude: entire movement – quarter = 58
Chanson du Toreador: beginning to [A] – quarter = 100

Trombone 1

Chanson du Toreador: beginning to 8 before [A] – quarter = 100
Danse Boheme: 2 before [P] to the end – quarter = 152

Violin 1

Aragonaise: [B] to [C] – dotter quarter = 76
Chanson du Toreador: beginning to [A] – quarter = 100
Danse Boheme: 2 before [P] to the end – quarter = 152

Violin 2

Chanson du Toreador: beginning to [A] – quarter = 100
Chanson du Toreador: [B] to 2 before [C] – quarter = 100
Danse Boheme: 2 before [P] to the end – quarter = 152

Viola

Intermezzo: 5 after B (arco) to end – quarter = 76
Chanson du Toreador: beginning to [A] – quarter = 100
Danse Boheme: [N] to end of 3 before [P] – quarter = 152

Cello

Prelude: entire movement – quarter = 58
Intermezzo: 11 after [A] to 9 after [B] – quarter = 76
Chanson du Toreador: beginning to [A] – quarter = 100

Bass

Chanson du Toreador: beginning to [A] – quarter = 100
Les Toreadors: [A] to [B] – quarter = 126

CONCERT Orchestra Notes – September 29, 2026

Posted on September 29, 2026October 13, 2026 by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

CONCERT Orchestra Notes – September 29, 2026

Dear Concert Orchestra,

I thought we had a great rehearsal on Sunday, September 27. Our selections from Bizet’s Carmen Suites are coming along nicely. Thank you for your continued practicing at home.

A reminder and heads up that this Thursday (10/1) is our fall term string coachings date with Oregon Symphony musicians. Arrive at 6:45pm for a 7pm start. We go until 8:30pm. Only string players are required. Brass and woodwinds will have their fall coachings during regular Sunday rehearsal times.

This coming Sunday, we’ll focus on the two movements we haven’t worked on yet: Intermezzo and Chanson du Toréador.

Please see below for more details.

Best,

Dr. G.

weekend rehearsals left before concert:

6 Rehearsal Recap: Sunday, September 27

5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals – Strings worked with Vijeta Sathyaraj and Woodwinds & Brass worked with Adam Eccleston. We focused on Prelude & Aragonaise.

6:30pm-7:00pm: break

7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- Prelude & Aragonaise: I led an initial read-through and did some light work on both of these movements. Felipe Araya conducted, with both me and Felipe giving input as we worked through both movements.
- Les Toréadors: we played through most of this movement, with an emphasis on keeping tempo and exaggerating dynamic contrast. Please remember to practice this movement with a metronome (quarter note = 126).
- Danse Bohème: we worked backwards (and mostly under tempo) from the end. This movement was in better shape this week!

STRING COACHINGS – Thursday, October 1

6:45pm: arrival and check-in
7:00pm-8:30pm: string coachings
- Spots in all movements of Bizet’s Carmen
  - Violin 1 with Aidan Ip @ Fireside Room
  - Violin 2 with Eri Ishigaki @ Contrabassment
  - Viola with Raúl Gómez-Rojas @ Jazz Room (pls include mov. 1 #15)
  - Cellos with Karen Shulz-Harmon @ Performance Hall
  - Basses with Mariya-Andoniya Andonova @ Room 108

CONCERT ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, October 4

5:00pm: arrival & check-in
- Sign in at the front desk and head to your sectional rooms.

5:15pm-6:30pm: brass coachings – work on most relevant passages from all movements.
- Horns in Room 206 (2nd floor)
- Trumpets and trombone in Jazz Room (basement level)

5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals – work on Intermezzo & Chanson du Toréador.
- Strings with Vijeta Sathyaraj @ Contrabassment.
- Woodwinds with Robert Wakeley @ Fireside Room.

6:30pm-7:00pm: break

7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- 7pm-8pm: Intermezzo & Chanson du Toréador.
- 8pm-8:30pm: revisit spots in Prelude, Aragonaise & Danse Bohéme.

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).

MYS Online Music Library

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

Availability for private lessons

Happy practicing!

Dr. G.

MYS Musicians saying YAY! | 8/30/26 | Photo by Sheepscot Creative

CONCERT Orchestra Notes – September 22, 2026

Posted on September 22, 2026October 13, 2026 by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

CONCERT Orchestra Notes – September 22, 2026

Hi everyone,

Thank you for another productive rehearsal on Sunday, September 20. Please remember that it is CRUCIAL that you practice your parts each week at home and with your private teacher. Use my rehearsal notes to plan strategically.

Also, when you arrive on Sunday for sectionals, please go directly to your sectional rooms (Contrabassment for strings and Fireside Room for woodwinds & brass). Your sign-in sheets will be there.

Please read on!

Best,

Dr. G.

weekend rehearsals left before concert:

7 Rehearsal Recap: Sunday, September 20

5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals – Strings worked with Vijeta and Woodwinds & Brass worked with Kim. We focused on Danse Bohème primarily.

6:30pm-7:00pm: break

7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- Les Toréadors: we reviewed 4 bars before [B] and 8 bars before [E], and played a bit of the main theme closer to tempo.
- Habanera: I explained the fermata 3 after [D] and 2 before the end, and we practiced both spots a bit.
- Danse Bohème: we worked through the entire movement. This movement was quite rough, despite me having sent my rehearsal plan last week, and your work in sectionals.

Please practice at home!

CONCERT ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, September 27

5:00pm: arrival & check-in
- Please go directly to your sectional rooms. The sign-in sheets will be in each room (Contrabassment and Fireside Room).

5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals – work on Prelude, Aragonaise, and if there’s extra time revisit spots in Danse Bohéme.
- Strings with Vijeta Sathyaraj @ Contrabassment.
- Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion with Adam Eccleston @ Fireside Room.

6:30pm-7:00pm: break

7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- 7pm-8pm: Prelude & Aragonaise
- 8pm-8:30pm: revisit spots in Les Toréadors, Habanera and Danse Bohéme.

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).

MYS Online Music Library

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

Availability for private lessons

Happy practicing!

Dr. G.

A behind-the-scenes picture of the MYS photo shoot back in late August. We’ll have the official photos soon! | 8/30/26 | Photo by MYS

CONCERT Orchestra Notes – September 15, 2026

Posted on September 15, 2026October 13, 2026 by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

CONCERT Orchestra Notes – September 15, 2026

Hi everyone,

What a joyful way to start our season! Thank you for being a part of our first ever set of rehearsals at our new space.

Please remember to plan your practicing strategically so that you are fully prepared for each rehearsal. Also, please write your name on your sheet music!! I forgot to remind you to do this on Sunday.

Keep an eye out for Mark’s Weekly Announcements tomorrow (Wednesday).

Finally, please see below for important rehearsal notes.

Best,

Dr. G.

weekend rehearsals left before concert:

8 Rehearsal Recap: Sunday, September 13

We spent the first portion of rehearsal time together with Symphony Orchestra musicians in our Performance Hall. We introduced our Group Managers and Coaches, and talked about expectations for the season, including:
- Arrive 15 minutes before the beginning of rehearsal.
- Sign in upon arrival by initialing next to your name on the sign-in sheet.
- Add all concerts and rehearsals to your calendars, including additional rehearsals the day before concerts, and any Thursday evening rehearsals for strings (check the Season Calendar linked on the side bar – or at the bottom of the page if you are on a mobile device).
- Please communicate absences in advance, and keep in mind that the maximum number of absences allowed per term is three. (That said, ideally, you’ll have zero absences).
- Remember that MYS is NOT a hyper-competitive environment. Rather, it is a nurturing environment where STUDENTS SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND INSPIRE ONE ANOTHER. That said, there is a clear expectation of being prepared for each rehearsal (meaning you have to practice and learn your part at home and with your private teacher).
- Please always bring a pencil (and use it!), a full spill-proof water bottle and a music stand.

After our welcoming meeting, we split into sectionals.
- Strings went downstairs to the Contrabassment and worked with Vijeta Sathyaraj.
- Woodwinds, brass and percussion went to the Fireside Room and worked with Adam Eccleston.

After the break, the full orchestra worked with me (RGR) on Les Toréadors and a tiny bit on Habanera.
- Les Toréadors:
  - Strings: bow placement is essential. Most of the fast, short stuff should be played in the lower half.
  - Tutti: dynamic contrast is super important. Make sure to practice dynamics as well as rhythm and notes.
  - Cellos and basses: pay special attention to 4 bars before [B]. This should be 100% ready to go next week.
  - Woodwinds and strings: please pay special attention to 8 bars before [E]. This should also be 100% ready to go next rehearsal.
- Habanera:
  - Trumpets and clarinets: we’ll figure out your parts for this movement. We’ll look for parts in B-flat for you. I’ll be in touch this week about this. Clarinets: in the meantime, see if you can borrow an A clarinet at school or from your teacher(s), or rent one. You’ll 100% need one when you join Symphony Orchestra eventually. Trumpets: this might also be a good opportunity to practice transposing. Feel free to add names of transposed notes with pencil on your parts.
  - The habanera rhythm in the bass line will be played with a slightly delayed 16th note. Almost closer to the last note in a sextuplet.
  - We only spent about 2 minutes on this movement. Essentially, just a read-through.

CONCERT ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, September 20

5:00pm: arrival & check-in
- Please go directly to your sectional rooms. The sign-in sheets will be in each room (Contrabassment and Fireside Room).

5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals! – work on Danse Bohème, and if there’s extra time revisit spots in Les Toréadors and Habanera.
- Strings with Vijeta Sathyaraj (violin, Oregon Symphony) @ Contrabassment.
- Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion with Kimberly Minson (horn, Oregon Symphony) @ Fireside Room.

6:30pm-7:00pm: break

7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- Les Toréadors: review 4 bars before [B] and 8 bars before [E].
- Habanera: I’ll explain the fermata 3 after [D] and 2 before the end.
- Danse Bohème: work through entire movement. Note my tempos below:
  - beginning: quarter = 100
  - 4th bar of [I]: quarter = 126
  - 1 before [N]: quarter = 138
  - 2 before [P]: quarter = 152

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).

MYS Online Music Library

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

Availability for private lessons

Happy practicing!

Dr. G.

MYS Conductor Erica Boland in rehearsal with Interlude Orchestra at our new building | 9/12/26 | Photo by MYS

CONCERT Orchestra Notes – September 8, 2026

Posted on September 8, 2026October 13, 2026 by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

CONCERT Orchestra Notes – September 8, 2026

Hi all,

I hope you had a restful Labor Day weekend. Our first rehearsal of the year is this Sunday! (September 13). We’re excited to see you very soon.

Thank you to those of you who submitted optional leadership auditions. It was wonderful to hear you play.

Please read this entire post carefully, and see you soon!

Best,

Dr. G.

weekend rehearsals left before concert:

9 CONCERT ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, September 13

5:00pm: arrival & check-in at MYS (3880 SE Brooklyn St.) (main sanctuary door)
5:00-5:15pm: make a name tag, find your folder, double-check part assignments, grab your sheet music, write your name on your sheet music
5:15pm-5:30pm: welcoming remarks (together with Symphony Orchestra musicians)
5:30pm-6:30pm: sectionals on Bizet’s Carmen Suites: movements Habanera and Les Toréadors (not to be confused with Chanson du Toréador)
- Strings with Vijeta Sathyaraj (Fellowship Room aka Basement aka Contrabassment)
- Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion with Adam Eccleston (Fireside Room)
6:30pm-7:00pm: break

7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with Dr. G on Habanera and Les Toréadors.

Roster & Part Assignments

Part assignments for Bizet’s Selections from Carmen Suites No. 1 and No. 2 have been posted. Part assignments were made based on optional leadership auditions, performance in past seasons with MYS and new student auditions. These assignments are always subject to change. My part assignments are not rankings. I rotate positions of leadership and try to create balanced sections.

If you’re unhappy with your part assignment, you can always show me your progress at the next set of optional leadership auditions (due October 27 for Winter part assignments).

You can find our Fall Part Assignments by clicking on the button on the sidebar of this page (or at the bottom of the page if you are on a mobile device.) The first page contains alphabetical listings of each section. Page 2 contains part assignments.

PLEASE let me know if you spot any obvious errors or accidental omissions.

Download PDF Parts to practice before Sunday

After consulting the Part Assignments document, please navigate to our Online Music Library (the password is playmys), and find PDF practice parts. Make sure to start practicing the two movements I listed above (Habanera and Les Toréadors) before rehearsal this Sunday.

If you have a digital tablet and a page-turning pedal, you’re welcome to use them for rehearsals and concerts. However, please make sure to ALSO have your paper parts as a back-up. You never know when technology might fail you. And it tends to fail in the worst possible moments :-/

Please remember that it is your responsibility to show up well-prepared to every rehearsal. This means that you need to practice at home, listen to recordings, and get to know the music as best as you can.

The information below is from my previous post. I’m leaving it here for your convenience. It’s all important information relevant to this weekend and the whole year:

2026-2027 Season Calendar

You can always access our season calendar by clicking on the button on the sidebar of any of these blog posts (or at the bottom of the page if you are on a mobile device).

PLEASE add every single rehearsal and performance to your calendars ASAP.

Things to note:

Concert Orchestra’s new rehearsal time is 5:15pm-8:30pm. This will allow more time for weekly sectionals and a longer break.
Pay special attention to our PRE-CONCERT REHEARSALS, which take place the day before each concert.
String sections will have coachings on one Thursday evening each term. 10/1, 12/17 and 4/8.
Please prioritize our rehearsals as you plan for other conflicting activities. Communicate your conflicts to your other activities as early as possible.
There is a maximum of 3 allowed absences per term. If you know you’ll have more than 3 planned absences, please reach out to me directly ASAP.

Bring your friends to MYS

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 the new MYS facility, 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.

Our team has been hard at work putting the final touches on our rehearsal space. The “Fellowship Hall” aka the Contrabassment has a shuffleboard court. Does anybody know how to play? | 9/8/26