SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes for October 26, 2025

Posted on October 21, 2025October 21, 2025 by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

Thanks for a productive rehearsal on Sunday, October 19.

We only have two more Sunday rehearsals before concert week. Now is the time to ramp up your practicing and make sure your individual parts are at your very best. Full individual confidence in your playing will allow you to dedicate more bandwidth to listening, watching and playing together. Especially listening.

Please triple-check your calendars for our evening rehearsals leading up to the concert. These rehearsals are required and extremely important. Check our season schedule linked on the sidebar of this blog.

Best,

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Recap – October 19, 2025

We took our group photos
First half of rehearsal:
- tutti work on Castro D’Addona – movements 2 and 3
Second half:
- Brahms, movements 3 and 2. Please keep practicing and learning every little detail on your parts (dynamics, articulation, intention, type of sound, etc.)

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, October 26, 2025

Optional: wear your Halloween costume this Sunday!

Arrival: 5:15pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
- If you forgot on 10/19, get your concert dress reviewed and approved by Group Managers
5:30pm-6:30pm: Castro D’Addona, movements 2 and 3 – a tempo!!
6:30pm-7:00pm: Evans-McGlothin, Erin’s First Sabbath (final version) – here’s a direct link to PDF practice parts – you may also find them on the MYS online music library. The password is playmys.
7:00pm-7:15pm: break
7:15pm-8:30pm: Brahms, movements 1 and 4
8:30pm – help reset the room and make sure no doors are left propped open.

Reminder: Remedial Concert Dress Check

If you missed it on Sunday 10/19, please wear your concert attire this Sunday (10/26) and make sure that a Group Manager approves your outfit for the concert. Feel free to change back to regular clothes during the break (optional).

Optional: wear your Halloween costume on 10/26

Just make sure your costume doesn’t get in the way of your playing 🙂

Reminder: MYS Concerto Competition Finals – Friday, Oct 24, 7:00pm

Come be inspired by your Symphony Orchestra peers, as they compete for spots to be featured as soloists with our orchestras this season. Friday, October 24, 7pm, at the new MYS facilities at 3880 SE Brooklyn St.

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

Please check the part assignments PDF this week. There are changes due to attendance.

Reminder re: changes in part assignments due to attendance: even if absences are due to sickness or other conflicts, adjustments are made to ensure balanced sections and confident leadership. Thanks for your understanding. (It’s very unlikely that you’ll be assigned a completely different part to play. I’ll email you directly with a heads-up if this is the case).

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 Symphony Orchestra 2025-2026 | photo by Katrina de Boer

CONCERT Orchestra Notes for October 26, 2025

Posted on October 21, 2025October 21, 2025 by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

I’m very grateful to Casey Bozell for leading the first half of rehearsal on Sunday, 10/19 (Smyth). The second half of rehearsal (Brahms and Holst) was fun and productive.

We have only two more full rehearsals before our concert on November 9th (10/26 and 11/2). Please continue practicing the Smyth and Brahms pieces, so that you’re in complete control of your individual part and can dedicate more bandwidth to listening, watching and playing together. Especially listening.

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Recap – 10/19/25

First half of rehearsal: Casey Bozell conducted Smyth. Thanks, Casey!
- Reminders about Smyth: 1) Please practice with a metronome. 2) Our tempo main tempo for this piece is dotted quarter = 122. 3) The tempo of the coda is dotted quarter = 120.
We took our group photos.
Second half of rehearsal:
- Brahms dance (detailed work)
- Holst (detailed work, beginning to about No. 2)

Rehearsal Plan – 10/26/25

Optional on 10/26: wear your Halloween costume!

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.

1:45pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
- (if you forgot to wear your concert attire on 10/19, please get it reviewed and approved by Group Managers.)
2:00pm-3:30pm: Smyth: whole piece
3:30pm-3:45pm – break
3:45pm-4:30pm – Brahms: whole piece
4:30pm-5:00pm – Holst (unless we end up spending more time on Smyth & Brahms).

Reminder: Remedial Concert Dress Check

If you forgot to wear your concert attire on Sunday 10/19, please wear it to rehearsal this weekend (10/26). Make sure to get it checked by Group Managers. Feel free to change back to regular clothes during the break.

Optional: wear your Halloween costume on 10/26

Just make sure your costume doesn’t get in the way of your playing 🙂

Reminder: MYS Concerto Competition Finals – Friday, Oct 24, 7:00pm

This is optional, but it would be great for as many of you as possible to come be inspired by your Symphony Orchestra peers, as they compete for spots to be featured as soloists with our orchestras this season. Friday, October 24, 7pm, at the new MYS facilities at 3880 SE Brooklyn St.

Reminder: Leadership Auditions are due Tue, October 28.

You’ve all been practicing our repertoire, so the musical preparation for this video audition shouldn’t feel like a giant, additional burden. Please review the required excerpts, guidelines and submission information here.

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

There is a small change in violin seating due to attendance. Please check the Part Assignments PDF linked on the sidebar of this page.

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

Happy practicing,
(and don’t forget to bring a music stand)

Dr. G.

MYS Concert Orchestra 2025-2026 | Photo by Ivy Chiu

SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes for 10/19/25

Posted on October 14, 2025October 17, 2025 by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

Good rehearsal on Sunday 10/12. It was our last Sunday with sectional rehearsals. From this point on, all rehearsals are tutti until the concert on November 9.

Please read on for a 10/12 rehearsal recap, our plan for 10/19 and more.

Best,

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Recap – October 12, 2025

First half of rehearsal:
- winds/brass with Adam: work on Castro D’Addona – movements 1 and middle section of movement 2
- strings with me: work on Brahms – mov 1 (development and coda) and mov 4 (introduction, beginning to letter B
Second half:
- First movement of Castro D’Addona, with Adam.
- Brahms, mov 4: we played the whole movement, stopping as needed. It felt a little rough, as we hadn’t played it in a while, but it’s coming together. Keep up the good work!

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, October 19, 2025

[updated Friday, 10/17, 1:45pm]

Arrival: 5:15pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
Get your concert dress reviewed and approved by Group Managers
5:30pm-6:45pm: Castro D’Addona, movement 2 and 3 – please practice the fast, middle section of mov 2 with a metronome and the recording, and be ready to play movement 3 a tempo on Sunday.
6:45pm-6:55pm: group photo
6:55pm-7:05pm: break
7:05pm-8:30pm: Brahms, movements 3 and 2 – please do a ton of listening of your favorite recordings this week for these 2 movements.
8:30pm – help reset the room and make sure no doors are left propped open.

Reminder: Concert Dress Check & Group Photo!

Please remember to come to rehearsal in your concert attire. We’ll take our group photo at 6:45pm, and will then have a break. Feel free to change back to regular clothes during the break (optional). Space is very limited for changing on-site.

Add to your calendars: MYS Concerto Competition Finals – Friday, Oct 24, 7:00pm

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

Reminder: Check part assignments/seating rosters before each rehearsal. There may be changes due to attendance. Even if absences are due to sickness or other conflicts, adjustments are made to ensure balanced sections and confident leadership. Thanks for your understanding. (It’s very unlikely that you’ll be assigned a completely different part to play. I’ll email you directly with a heads-up if this is the case).

PDF Practice Parts

Recruit for MYS

Availability for private lessons

Happy practicing,
(and don’t forget to bring a music stand on Sunday)

Dr. G.

Composer Giancarlo Castro D’Addona, Soloist Adam Eccleston and RGR | October 12, 2025 | Photo by Marian Gutiérrez

CONCERT Orchestra Notes for 10/19/25

Posted on October 14, 2025October 16, 2025 by mys-staff

Hi all,

We are done with sectionals for this term. From now on, all rehearsals will be tutti until the concert on November 9th.

Please see below for a recap of 10/12 and our rehearsal plan for 10/19.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Recap – 10/12/25

First half of rehearsal: Strings worked with Casey, and woodwinds and brass with Adam.
Second half of rehearsal: we worked on the Smyth symphony from letter D to the end.
- Reminders: 1) Please practice with a metronome. 2) Our tempo main tempo for this piece is dotted quarter = 122. 3) The tempo of the coda is dotted quarter = 120.
We worked on the entire Brahms dance. We’re now working out details and nuances like rubato, sforzandi, ends of phrases, transitions and more.
We spent the last 20 minutes of rehearsal reading Jupiter (beginning to No. 5).

Did you know? The original instrumentation of Brahms’ Hungarian Dances was piano duet (4 hands). See below for a performance of Dance No. 6 by a piano duo, along with the score.

Rehearsal Plan – 10/19/25

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 right at 1:30pm to open the space.

1:45pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
Get your concert dress reviewed and approved by Group Managers.
2:00pm-3:30pm: Smyth Symphony [edit 10/16/25: Casey Bozell will conduct the first half of rehearsal]
3:30pm-3:45pm – Group photo
3:45pm-4:00pm – break
4:00pm-4:30pm – Brahms: whole piece
4:30pm-5:00pm – Holst: Jupiter: beginning to No. 5 (same as last Sunday)

Reminder: Concert Dress Check & Group Photo!

Please remember to come to rehearsal in your concert attire. We’ll take our group photo at 3:30pm, and will then have a break. Feel free to change back to regular clothes during the break (optional). Space is very limited for changing on-site.

Add to your calendars: MYS Concerto Competition Finals – Friday, Oct 24, 7:00pm

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

Find PDF Practice Parts at the MYS Online Music Library

Availability for private lessons

Happy practicing,
(and don’t forget to bring a music stand)

Dr. G.

Brahms at the piano | found here, artist credit unknown

SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes for 10/12/25

Posted on October 7, 2025October 7, 2025 by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

Thanks for a productive rehearsal on Sunday 10/5. I thought the reading of Max’s piece went pretty well, and we did important work on the 3rd movement of Giancarlo’s piece. Additionally, we’re always excited to have Oregon Symphony musicians coach our sections.

Please read on for a 10/5 rehearsal recap, our plan for 10/12 and more.

Note: we’ll welcome soloist Adam Eccleston on Sunday. Please prioritize your practice as per our plan below.

Best,

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Recap – October 5, 2025

First half of rehearsal: woodwinds worked with Oregon Symphony musicians on Brahms: flutes with Zach, clarinets with Lisa, bassoons with Kai and oboes with Marty. Brass worked with Adam, and strings with me.
Strings: we worked on the 1st movement of the Brahms Symphony. We did detailed work on the introduction, exposition (m. 38 to first ending) and recapitulation (L to P) of the movement. We didn’t get into the development or coda.
After the break, we read Max’s piece and did slow work on Giancarlo’s 3rd movement (slow work on rhythm). We didn’t get to the 2nd movement of the flute concerto.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, October 12, 2025

Arrival: 5:15pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
5:30pm-6:45pm – sectionals
- Strings with RGR in cafeteria – work on Brahms – mov 1 (sections we didn’t do on 10/5) and mov 4.
- All woodwinds and brass with Adam Eccleston in pavilion – work on Castro D’Addona – movements 1 and middle section of movement 2
6:45pm-7:00pm – break (everybody back to cafeteria)
7:00pm-7:45pm – Castro D’Addona (movement 1) with soloist Adam Eccleston
7:45pm-8:30pm – Brahms, movement 4
8:30pm – help reset the room and make sure no doors are left propped open.

Concerto Competition registration deadline is tomorrow! Videos are due Friday.

The deadline for pre-approval of repertoire (by me), registration form and teacher approval form is TOMORROW (Wednesday, October 8). This webpage on our website has all you need to know about our Concerto Competition. I hope many of you will participate. 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…

There are a few adjustments to our part assignments/seating rosters this week. Please double-check your sections. These changes are due to attendance and/or planned absences. Even if absences are due to sickness or other conflicts, adjustments are made to ensure balanced sections and confident leadership. Thanks for your understanding.

Registration for YMA opens on Saturday 10/11

If you’re interested in going to YMA this summer, early registration is encouraged. 2026 YMA registration opens on Saturday, October 11 at 9am. There’s financial aid available for qualifying families. Registration must be submitted by a legal parent or guardian. More info on their website here.

PDF Practice Parts

Recruit for MYS

Availability for private lessons

Happy practicing,
(and don’t forget to bring a music stand on Sunday)

Dr. G.

Adam Eccleston

CONCERT Orchestra Notes for 10/12/25

Posted on October 7, 2025October 7, 2025 by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

Thanks for a very productive rehearsal on 10/5. I’m feeling good about our progress. Thank you for your practicing and preparation. I know it requires a significant amount of planning, time management and discipline (all excellent skills to develop).

Thank you also to all family members and teachers who support our students. They (and we) couldn’t do it without you.

Please see below for a recap of 10/5 and our rehearsal plan for 10/12.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Recap – 10/5/25

First half of rehearsal: Strings worked with Casey, brass with Adam, double reeds with Marty, clarinets with Lisa and flutes with Robert. We all focused on the Smyth Symphony, which gets better every week.
Second half of rehearsal: we spent the entirety of the tutti portion of rehearsal on Smyth. We played through the full movement first (with some necessary stops), and then did detailed work from the beginning to letter M (coda). Please remember to practice with a metronome. Our tempo main tempo for this piece is dotted quarter = 122. The tempo of the coda is dotted quarter = 120.

Please watch this short video about Dame Ethel Smyth. You may also learn more about her on this website.

Rehearsal Plan – 10/12/25

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 right at 1:30pm to open the space.

1:45pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
2:00pm-3:15pm:
- All strings with Casey in the Cafeteria – Smyth (detailed work: K to end), Brahms as needed.
- All woodwinds and brass with Adam in the Pavilion – Smyth (detailed work: D to G), Brahms as needed.
3:15pm-3:30pm – break (everyone back to cafeteria)
3:30pm-4:00pm – Brahms: whole piece
4:00pm-4:30pm – Smyth: whole piece
4:30pm-5:00pm – Holst: Jupiter: beginning to No. 5

Jupiter from The Planets by Gustav Holst.

We’ll bring hard copies of the Jupiter parts this coming Sunday. For the time being, you can access practice PDFs here. Note: these PDFs are of the entire Planets suite. At this point, we’re only planning to play Jupiter.

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

There are a few adjustments to our part assignments/seating rosters this week. Please double-check your sections. These changes are due to attendance. Even if absences are due to sickness or other conflicts, adjustments are made to ensure balanced sections and confident leadership. Thanks for your understanding.

I’ve added a couple of recordings of Jupiter to our YouTube playlist. Check them out, add them to your regular listening, and feel free to find your own favorite recordings. Find the link on the sidebar of this blog.

Registration for YMA opens on Saturday 10/11

Find PDF Practice Parts at the MYS Online Music Library

Availability for private lessons

Happy practicing,
(and don’t forget to bring a music stand)

Dr. G.

Dame Ethel Smyth | photo credit unknown (found at https://www.ethelsmyth.org/)

SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes for 10/5/25

Posted on September 30, 2025October 5, 2025 by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

Well, Sunday’s rehearsal was “one of those,” wasn’t it? I found myself having to give a “speech.” The level of preparation of many members of the orchestra fell quite short of the expectations that were set on day 1. I hope it was clear that my words come from a place of trust and kindness. You all have earned a spot in this orchestra through your hard work. Please continue honoring your commitment to the group by practicing regularly and always being fully prepared for every single rehearsal. That’s how we make it fun, enjoyable and productive.

So, again; please, please, please: you must be prepared for rehearsal. Look at my rehearsal plan on Tuesday and plan your practicing based on it. Come Sunday, you should:

know what we’re rehearsing
have practiced what we’re rehearsing
have listened to recordings of what we’re rehearsing
have all necessary materials (printed sheet music, mutes, accessories, auxiliary instruments)
have the correct instrument (relevant to transposing instruments), or the correct printed parts for your instrument

Of course, you can always dig even deeper: read about the composers and pieces we’re playing, listen to other compositions by the same composer, watch videos about the composers and the music, consult a full score (available in our digital music library), mark your part with information from the score, etc, etc, etc… The more you can do, the more you’ll get out of the music and the experience of playing it.

Finally, as per our season schedule, I am due to announce winter term leadership audition excerpts this week. Expect another email from me on Thursday with this information. These short video auditions will be due on Tuesday, October 28.

Alright, see below for a rehearsal recap and rehearsal plan for Sun, Oct. 5.

Best,

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Recap – September 21, 2025

First half of rehearsal: Horns had a coaching with Jeff Garza from the Oregon Symphony, while trumpets and low brass had a coaching with Joe Klause. I worked with the strings and woodwinds on movements 2 and 3 of the Brahms Symphony. We read both movements, and then did some detailed work on movement 2 (beginning to right before letter C).
It was in the midst of the first half of rehearsal that I spoke to the orchestra about commitment to the ensemble, and the expectation of regular practice at home and excellent preparation for each rehearsal.
After the break, we enjoyed a solo violin performance and Q/A with Simone Porter, who is the Oregon Symphony’s new Artist in Residence.
After our time with Simone, the tutti orchestra worked on the 3rd movement of Brahms (beginning to m. 108). It went better than the first half of rehearsal.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, October 5, 2025

Arrival: 5:15pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
5:30pm-6:45pm – coachings and sectionals
- Strings with RGR in cafeteria – work on Brahms – mov 1
- Brass with Adam Eccleston in pavilion – work on Castro – rhythmically tricky spots in whole piece
- Flutes with Zach Galatis – work on Brahms (coach’s choice from whole symphony)
- Oboes with Martin Hebert – work on Brahms (coach’s choice from whole symphony)
- Clarinets with Lisa Lipton – work on Brahms (coach’s choice from whole symphony)
- Bassoons with Kai Rocke – work on Brahms (coach’s choice from whole symphony)
6:45pm-7:00pm – break (everybody back to cafeteria)
7:00pm-7:30pm – “Erin’s First Sabbath” by Max Evans-McGlothin (YCP piece). You picked up your parts on Sunday. Please practice! I’ve posted the computer-generated audio on our YouTube playlist.
7:30pm-8:30pm – 3rd and 2nd movements of Castro‘s Flute Concerto.
8:30pm – help reset the room and make sure no doors are left propped open.

Come hear me play viola with Oregon Symphony musicians

I’ll be playing viola with Oregon Symphony musicians at the upcoming ChatterPDX concert on Sunday, October 5 at 10:30pm. We’ll be performing Tchaikovsky’s String Sextet “Souvenir de Florence.” Details and tickets here. I hope to see many of you there.

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.

Reminder: Concerto Competition

This is coming fast!! The first deadline for pre-approval is ~~Monday, October 6~~ Wednesday, October 8. 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 (now for Giancarlo’s piece and Max’s piece). 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

Recruit for MYS

Availability for private lessons

Happy practicing,
(and don’t forget to bring a music stand on Sunday)

Dr. G.

Oregon Symphony Artist in Residence Simone Porter performs for MYS Symphony Orchestra | Sep 28, 2025 | Photo by Sheepscot Creative

CONCERT Orchestra Notes for 10/5/25

Posted on September 30, 2025October 3, 2025 by mys-staff

Hi all,

Good work on Sunday 9/28.

As per our season schedule, I am due to announce winter term leadership audition excerpts this week. Expect another email from me on Thursday with this information. These short video auditions will be due on Tuesday, October 28.

Please see below for a recap and our rehearsal plan for 10/5.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Recap – 9/28/25

First half of rehearsal: I worked with the woodwinds, Eric Alterman worked with the full string section and Heidi Aispuro coached our brass section. Work focused on Smyth. With the woodwinds, we worked in detail from the beginning of the piece to letter K.
Second half of rehearsal: we read the whole Smyth piece with the full orchestra, and then worked backwards from the end to letter I. We were able to put in some focused, detailed work. We also spoke about expectations for this ensemble. Namely, practice at home consistently and strategically, and ALWAYS show up to rehearsal well prepared.
We spent the last 30 minutes of rehearsal on the Brahms dance. We worked on the Vivo sections first, increasing the tempo gradually. Then, we worked on letter C, letter B, and the opening of the piece, where the tempo fluctuates.

Rehearsal Plan – 10/5/25

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 right at 1:30pm to open the space.

1:45pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
2:00pm-3:15pm:
- All strings with Casey in the Cafeteria – Smyth (detailed work: D to K).
- Brass with Adam in the Pavilion – Smyth (whole piece)
- Oboes + bassoon coaching with Marty Hebert (Annex) – Smyth (whole piece)
- Clarinets coaching with Lisa Lipton (Altar Society) – Smyth (whole piece)
- Flutes coaching with Robert Wakeley (Music Room) – Smyth (whole piece)
3:15pm-3:30pm – break (everyone back to cafeteria)
3:30pm-4:30pm – Smyth: whole piece
4:30pm-5:00pm – Brahms: whole piece

Come hear me play viola with Oregon Symphony musicians

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

There is a small update in seating order for first violins. Please click the relevant button on the sidebar of this blog (“C.O. Fall 2025 Part Assignments.”)

As I mentioned above, I’ll write again on Thursday with the excerpts for the leadership audition.

Also, we’ll add parts for Jupiter in the coming days, as well as temporary part assignments for that piece.

Spring term challenge piece: Jupiter from The Planets by Gustav Holst.

We’ll play Jupiter from The Planets by Gustav Holst. I hope that we can start work on this piece during the fall term, but this will depend on how quickly we make progress on Smyth and Brahms. It’s not too early to start listening to this piece! Find and save your favorite recordings.

Find PDF Practice Parts at the MYS Online Music Library

Availability for private lessons

Happy practicing,
(and don’t forget to bring a music stand)

Dr. G.

MYS students near the Schnitz (August, 2025) | Photo by Sheepscot Creative

CONCERT Orchestra Notes for 9/28/25

Posted on September 23, 2025September 23, 2025 by mys-staff

Hi all,

Thank you for your work on Sunday 9/21. I enjoyed working with the violas, and I was grateful to all the coaches, including Adam Eccleston, who subbed for me during the tutti portion of rehearsal. I’m fully back this coming Sunday, and look forward to working with the full orchestra again.

Please see below for a recap and our rehearsal plan for 9/28.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Recap – 9/21/25

We had coachings for the string sections, and winds/brass worked with Adam. I spent time with the violas on the Smyth Symphony (letter D to the end).
Adam conducted the full orchestra during the second half of rehearsal.

Rehearsal Plan – 9/28/25

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 right at 1:30pm to open the space.

1:45pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
2:00pm-3:15pm:
- All strings with Eric in the Cafeteria – further work on Smyth (D to the end). Emphasis on rhythm and dynamics.
- Woodwinds with me in the Pavilion – Smyth (whole piece)
- Horns coaching (location TBD) – Smyth and Brahms as needed
- Low brass coaching (location TBD) – Smyth and Brahms as needed
3:15pm-3:30pm – break (everyone back to cafeteria)
3:30pm-4:30pm – Smyth: whole piece
4:30pm-5:00pm – Brahms: whole piece

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

No updates to any of these documents this week. You can always find the most updated versions on the sidebar of this blog.

Spring term challenge piece: Jupiter from The Planets by Gustav Holst.

Thank you for your suggestions. We’ll play Jupiter from The Planets by Gustav Holst. I hope that we can start work on this piece during the fall term, but this will depend on how quickly we make progress on Smyth and Brahms. It’s not too early to start listening to this piece! Find and save your favorite recordings.

Find PDF Practice Parts at the MYS Online Music Library

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.

Availability for private lessons

Happy practicing,
(and don’t forget to bring a music stand)

Dr. G.

MYS students near the Newmark Theatre (August, 2025) | Photo by Sheepscot Creative

SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes for 9/28/25

Posted on September 23, 2025September 23, 2025 by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

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

[updated 9/23, 3:15pm]

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)
7:00pm-7:45pm – visit by Oregon Symphony Artist-in-Residence Simone Porter (!!!!) – she’ll play for us, and we’ll have a Q/A session with her. Learn about Simone here.
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!)

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

Recruit for MYS

Availability for private lessons

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