CONCERT Orchestra Notes for November 8, 2026

Dear Concert Orchestra,

Happy November! Our concert is coming up soon, and I’m proud of the work we’ve been doing together.

Please triple-check that you have our upcoming pre-concert rehearsal on your calendars. This rehearsal is required, just like our regular Sunday rehearsals. And for your convenience, here’s a direct link to our call sheet for concert day.

Remember that tomorrow (Wednesday, November 4) is the deadline to apply to our new classes that start in January: Conducting 101 and Recording 101.

If you enjoy the band Portugal. The Man, you might be interested in two shows that I will be conducting with them and the Oregon Symphony. The shows are on November 11 and 12.

Please see below for a rehearsal recap, plans for Sunday 11/8 & Saturday 11/14, and more details.

Best,

Dr. G.

---

weekend rehearsals left before concert:

1

---

Rehearsal Recap: Sunday, November 1

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

• 7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
  • 7pm-8:10pm: Chanson du Toréador (Felipe sang first, and then we rehearsed normally), Intermezzo, Aragonaise and Habanera.
  • 8:10pm-8:30pm: Chanson du Toréador, Danse Bohéme (with Felipe conducting)

---

CONCERT ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, November 8

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

• 5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals – slow, detailed work on passages in all movements.
  • Strings with Eric Alterman @ Contrabassment
  • Woodwinds and Brass with Adam Eccleston @ Fireside Room

• 6:30pm-7:00pm: break

• 7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
  • All movements in concert order. Run-throughs and spots.

Rehearsal Plan for Saturday, November 14

• 12:15pm: arrival & check-in
  • Sign in by initialing the attendance sheet.

• 12:30pm-1:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
  • All movements in concert order. Run-throughs and spots.

Rehearsal Plan for Saturday, November 15

• Detailed call sheet here
• 5:30pm: percussion and group managers arrive
• 6:00pm: call time for Concert Orchestra
• 6:20pm: get on stage
• 6:30pm-6:55pm: brief rehearsal on stage

---

Applications due tomorrow (Wednesday, November 4) for Conducting and Recording Classes

Conducting 101 with Dr. Gómez-Rojas

The class will help students develop a solid foundation in areas including baton technique, musical gestures, non-verbal communication, score study, rehearsal management and aural skills. Class sessions will often utilize excerpts from the repertoire currently being performed by MYS Symphony Orchestra, as well as selections from the standard orchestral repertoire. Sessions will include individual podium time, where each student will conduct the rest of the class membership playing their primary instruments. Conducting students will conduct short pieces by MYS Composition students on Tuesday, April 27, 2027 (open to the public).

Recording 101 with Nick Emerson

Students will have the opportunity to learn music production fundamentals for recording classical ensembles large and small. Students will learn about human perception of sound, the harmonic series, acoustics, how different types of microphones work, mono/stereo recording techniques, and editing/mixing on a digital audio workstation (DAW) in a studio environment. Students will have the ability to get hands-on experience with the tools of music production and learn how to approach sound engineering from the perspective of a musician. 

More information and links to application forms here.

---

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 in Concert | November 2025 | Photo by Richard Kolbell

CONCERT Orchestra Notes for November 1, 2026

Dear Concert Orchestra,

Our concert will be in two weeks from this coming Sunday. Keep up the great work! Working with you each Sunday is the highlight of my week, and I’m grateful for your preparation, commitment and engagement.

Thanks for the great repertoire suggestions for our winter term! I’m attaching a photo of the whiteboard at the end of this post. I’ve also received great suggestions via email.

Optional leadership auditions are due TODAY (Tuesday, 10/27).

If you enjoy the band Portugal. The Man, you might be interested in two shows with them and the Oregon Symphony that I’ll be conducting on November 11 and 12.

Please see below for a rehearsal recap, plans for 11/1, and more details.

Best,

Dr. G.

---

weekend rehearsals left before concert:

2

---

Rehearsal Recap: Sunday, October 25

• 5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals – sectionals prioritized Chanson du Toréador and Les Toréadors
  • Strings with Vijeta Sathyaraj @ Contrabassment
  • Woodwinds and Brass with Kim Minson @ Fireside Room

• 7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
  • We worked, as planned, on Prélude, Les Toréadors, Danse Bohéme, Habanera. I’m very encouraged that the ensemble is getting better and better at never playing ahead of the conductor’s beat. This is a very important skill for high-level music-making. It’s essential ALWAYS, and very evident in movements like Prelude. Good work!

---

CONCERT ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, November 1

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

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

• 6:30pm-7:00pm: break

• 7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
  • Chanson du Toréador (Felipe will sing), Intermezzo, Aragonaise
  • 8pm-8:30pm: Chanson du Toréador, Danse Bohéme (with Felipe conducting)

---

Leadership Auditions due October 27 (tonight!)

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 Repertoire Wish List | 10/25/26 | Photo by MYS

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

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:

1. Select a specific passage you want to work on (not too short, not too long).
2. Make sure you have good fingerings/bowings, plans for articulation, dynamics, etc.
3. Select a VERY slow tempo, at which you can play the passage very accurately and comfortably, with polish and ease, and without stopping.
4. 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).
5. 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).

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

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).

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

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

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

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).

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