Category: Symphony Orchestra

MYS Symphony Orchestra Posts

Rehearsal Plan for March 9, 2025

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

What a fantastic concert we had on Sunday! I’ll talk about it at our next rehearsal.

For the time being, here’s our rehearsal plan for March 9, access to temporary part assignments, PDFs, and information about upcoming optional leadership auditions.

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, March 9, 2025

  • 4:00pm-4:45pm – Florence Price: Dances in the Canebrakes
  • 4:45pm-5:15pm – esperanza spalding, Ebony and Ivy
  • 5:15pm-5:30pm – break
  • 5:30pm-6:15pm – Wayne Shorter: Midnight in Carlotta’s Hair
  • 6:15pm-7:00pm – Armstrong/Ricketts: Satchmo

Temporary Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Temporary part assignments can be accessed here. Latest percussion assignments are here.

Percussionists: The part assignments PDF contains a list of all the percussion needs for this program, but no assignments yet. I’ll check in with Kevin and will keep you posted about this weekend.

For practice PDFs and to consult full scores, please go to our Online Music Library. The password is playmys.

Audio Reference

Coming soon to the sidebar of this blog and as a YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Optional Leadership Auditions due Thursday 3/13

If you’re interested in a leadership position this term, please send me a YouTube video of at least 3 minutes of your best playing to rgomez@playmys.org with the subject line “MYS Leadership Audition.” Please make a new video for this (don’t use other audition videos, etc). No accompaniment is necessary.

I will review these videos on Friday, 3/14 and will update part assignments in time for our 3/16 rehearsal (last before spring break).

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

MYS Symphony Orchestra | March 2, 2025 | Newmark Theatre | Photo by Richard Kolbell

Rehearsal Plan for Concert Week (2/27-3/2)

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

Great rehearsal on Sunday. I look forward to our evening rehearsals and concert on Sunday, March 2nd.

Please see our rehearsal plans for the week below, and please remember to practice strategically as we approach the end of the week.

Best,

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Thursday, Feb 27, 2025

  • 6:30pm-6:45pm: arrival
  • 7:00pm-7:45pm: Waloyo Yamoni (with Pacific Youth Choir)
  • 7:45pm-8:15pm: Palia Cinematic Trailer (“The Chase”) and Palia Suite
  • 8:15pm-8:30pm: break
  • 8:30pm-9:00pm: YCP Cartoon Music
  • 9:00pm-9:30pm: Star Wars (IV. Yoda and V. Throne Room)

Rehearsal plan for Friday, Feb 28, 2025

  • 6:30pm-6:45pm: arrival
  • 7:00pm-8:00pm: Palia Suite and Palia Cinematic Trailer (“The Chase”)
  • 8:00pm-8:30pm: YCP Cartoon Music
  • 8:30pm-8:45pm: break
  • 8:45pm-9:30pm: Star Wars (all movements)

Rehearsal Plan for Saturday, March 1, 2025

  • 6:30pm-6:45pm: arrival
  • 7:00pm-7:30pm: Waloyo Yamoni (with Pacific Youth Choir)
  • 7:30pm-8:15pm: Star Wars
  • 8:15pm-8:30pm: break
  • 8:30pm-9:00pm: Palia Suite and Trailer
  • 9:00pm-9:30pm: YCP Cartoon Music

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, March 2, 2025

  • 10:30am: arrival for percussionists and group managers
  • 11:00am: call time for rest of orchestra
  • 11:30am-11:50am: YCP Cartoon Music
  • 11:50am-12:20pm: Palia Suite and Trailer
  • 11:20-12:50pm: Star Wars
  • 12:50pm-1:20pm: Waloyo Yamoni (with Pacific Youth Choir)

Call Sheet for March 2

You got it by e-mail from Mark, but here’s a direct link for your convenience.

Online Music Library

If you need fresh parts or would like to consult full scores, please go to our Online Music Library. The password is playmys.

Audio Reference

I’ve created a YouTube playlist where you can find audio reference tracks for our March 2 repertoire, including the Star Wars Suite. The playlist is here. I will also add the individual videos to the sidebar of this blog.

Audio reference for Palia Suite can be found here.

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

MYS Symphony Orchestra | January 12, 2025 | Newmark Theatre | Photo by Richard Kolbell

Rehearsal Plan for February 23, 2025

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

The concert (and the weeknight rehearsals preceding it) are now firmly on the horizon. We will welcome Pacific Youth Choir this Sunday, and will also have the final version of YCP’s Cartoon Music. Please see below for our rehearsal plan.

And please double-check that all three upcoming weeknight rehearsals are on your calendars!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, February 23, 2025

  • 4:00pm-5:00pm: Waloyo Yamoni (with Pacific Youth Choir!)
  • 5:00pm-5:30pm: Palia Suite and Palia Cinematic Trailer (“The Chase”)
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm: break
  • 5:45pm-6:15pm: YCP Cartoon Music (final version)
  • 6:15pm-7:00pm: Star Wars

March 2 Part Assignments and Practice Parts

If you need fresh parts our would like to consult full scores, please go to our Online Music Library. The password is playmys.

Most recent part assignments (including Cartoon Music) can be accessed here. Latest percussion assignments are here (still working on these, since we’ll modify Cartoon Music parts).

Audio Reference

I’ve created a YouTube playlist where you can find audio reference tracks for our March 2 repertoire, including the Star Wars Suite. The playlist is here. I will also add the individual videos to the sidebar of this blog.

Updated repertoire for June 17 concert

We’ve updated the repertoire for the first half of our Season Finale Concert, which will involve MYS alumni from throughout the history of the organization. The updated repertoire sheet is here (page 2).

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

MYS Symphony Orchestra | January 12, 2025 | Newmark Theatre | Photo by Richard Kolbell

Rehearsal Plan for February 16, 2025

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

Thanks for a productive rehearsal on Sunday, February 9th. It was especially useful to read through the Cartoon Music. We took notes and will hand out updated parts as soon as they’re available.

It was also delightful to read Yoda’s Theme, which has been added to our program to complete the full Star Wars Suite.

Thank you to our brass coaches for working on Star Wars with our sections. This coming Sunday we’ll have an all-star line-up of woodwind coaches.

Please see below for our rehearsal plan for Sunday, Feb. 16.

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, February 16, 2025

  • 4:00pm-4:45pm: Waloyo Yamoni
  • 4:45pm-5:30pm: Palia Cinematic Trailer (“The Chase”) + movements 1, 4 and 5 of Suite.
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm: break
  • 5:45pm-7:00pm:
    • Woodwind sectionals with coaches: Star Wars
    • Strings, brass, percussion, pno/hp with Dr. G: Star Wars

March 2 Updated Part Assignments and Practice Parts

If you need fresh parts our would like to consult full scores, please go to our Online Music Library. The password is playmys.

Most recent part assignments (including Cartoon Music) can be accessed here. Latest percussion assignments are here (still working on these, since we’ll modify Cartoon Music parts).

Audio Reference

I’ve created a YouTube playlist where you can find audio reference tracks for our March 2 repertoire, including the Star Wars Suite. The playlist is here. I will also add the individual videos to the sidebar of this blog.

Updated repertoire for June 17 concert

We’ve updated the repertoire for the first half of our Season Finale Concert, which will involve MYS alumni from throughout the history of the organization. The updated repertoire sheet is here (page 2).

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

MYS Symphony Orchestra | January 12, 2025 | Newmark Theatre | Photo by Richard Kolbell

Rehearsal Plan for February 9, 2025

Posted on by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

Hi everybody,

Thanks for a great rehearsal on February 2nd. We made great progress on Palia and Star Wars (movements 3, 2 and a little work on 1).

Please see our rehearsal plan for Sunday, February 9 below. We will have brass coaches on site for sectionals.

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, February 9, 2025

[updated on 1/31]

  • 4:00pm-5:30pm: YCP Piece (“Cartoon Music”) – full score for reference here. Parts coming soon.
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm: break
  • 5:45pm-7:00pm:
    • Brass sectionals with coaches: Star Wars
    • Strings, woodwinds, percussion with Dr. G: Star Wars

March 2 Updated Part Assignments and Practice Parts

If you need fresh parts (because you lost yours, or for YCP practice parts before Sunday), please go to our Online Music Library. The password is playmys. Note: YCP parts will be uploaded between ASAP this week. Check back later if you don’t see them yet.

Updated part assignments can be accessed here. Updated percussion assignments are here. Please check back later this week for final assignments for the YCP piece.

Audio Reference

I’ve created a YouTube playlist where you can find audio reference tracks for our March 2 repertoire, including the Star Wars Suite. The playlist is here. I will also add the individual videos to the sidebar of this blog.

Updated repertoire for June 17 concert

We’ve updated the repertoire for the first half of our Season Finale Concert, which will involve MYS alumni from throughout the history of the organization. The updated repertoire sheet is here (page 2).

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

MYS Symphony Orchestra | January 12, 2025 | Newmark Theatre | Photo by Richard Kolbell

[updated 1/31] Rehearsal Plan for February 2, 2025

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi everybody,

We had a very productive rehearsal last Sunday (Jan 26), despite so many people being out sick. I hope everyone is feeling better!

Our next rehearsal will be exactly one month before our concert. It’s coming up sooner than we think!

Please see our rehearsal plan below, as well as other important information.

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, February 2, 2025

[updated on 1/31]

  • 4:00pm-5:30pm: Palia “The Chase” and Suite (most PDF parts for the Suite are already on our online library. Direct link here).
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm: break
  • 5:45pm-7:00pm: Star Wars (movements 2 and 3)

New Program Order for March 2 Concert

It will be: YCP / Palia / intermission / Star Wars / Waloyo Yamoni. Updated program page here.

March 2 Part Assignments and Practice Parts

The password to access our Online Music Library is playmys.

Updated part assignments can be accessed here. Updated percussion assignments are here.

Audio Reference

I’ve created a YouTube playlist where you can find audio reference tracks for our March 2 repertoire, including the Star Wars Suite. The playlist is here. I will also add the individual videos to the sidebar of this blog.

Updated repertoire for June 17 concert

We’ve updated the repertoire for the first half of our Season Finale Concert, which will involve MYS alumni from throughout the history of the organization. The updated repertoire sheet is here (page 2).

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

Hunter Noack with MYS Symphony Orchestra | January 12, 2025 | Newmark Theatre | Photo by Richard Kolbell

Rehearsal Plan for Jan 26, 2025

Posted on by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

Hi everybody,

Sorry for the delayed rehearsal plan (I typically write to you on Tuesdays and it’s Wednesday late evening).

We will continue work on Star Wars this week, as well as start Christopher Tin’s Waloyo Yamoni (our collaboration with PYC). Please download and print your Waloyo Yamoni part to practice before Sunday. Also, please listen to the reference video.

I have added wind and brass assignments for Waloyo Yamoni. Check again towards the end of the week for full assignments (hopefully), including the YCP film piece and Steffen Schmidt’s music from Palia.

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, January 19, 2025

  • 4:00pm-5:15pm: Waloyo Yamoni
  • 5:15pm-5:30pm: break
  • 5:30pm-7:00pm: Star Wars (movements 1 and 5)

ICYMI: March 2 Concert Repertoire

Check out the full program for our next concert here (and you can also take a peek at our June concert repertoire).

In addition to Star Wars, we’re collaborating with Pacific Youth Choir on a piece by Christopher Tin, the composer of the soundtrack for the video game franchise “Civilization.” We’re also welcoming an MYS alum: Steffen Schmidt. He’s a successful video game composer based in L.A. and Seoul. We’ll be playing his music for the video game Palia. Finally, a collaborative world premiere by students of the Young Composers Project, accompanying a brand new animated film by students from Portland Art Museum’s Center for an Untold Tomorrow.

March 2 Part Assignments and Practice Parts

As I mentioned above, I’ve added winds/brass assignments for Waloyo Yamoni. Check towards the end of the week for more assignments. The part assignment PDF can always be found on the sidebar of this blog.

Strings: I’ve added bowed parts for Waloyo Yamoni. The password to access our Online Music Library is playmys.

Again, please download and print your Waloyo Yamoni part to practice before Sunday. Also, please listen to the reference video.

Part assignments so far can be accessed here. Percussion assignments are here.

Audio Reference

I’ve created a YouTube playlist where you can find audio reference tracks for our March 2 repertoire, including the Star Wars Suite. The playlist is here. I will also add the individual videos to the sidebar of this blog.

Access practice parts on the MYS website

Go to our Online Music Library to find PDF practice parts of our repertoire.

The password to access our Online Music Library is playmys.

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

Hunter Noack with MYS Symphony Orchestra | January 12, 2025 | Newmark Theatre | Photo by Richard Kolbell

Rehearsal Plan for Jan 19, 2025 (Star Wars!)

Posted on by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

Hi all,

I’m very proud of all of you, and exceedingly grateful for a fantastic concert last Sunday. I look forward to speaking a bit about it this coming Sunday at rehearsal.

I also look forward to starting new music, in what will be a SHORT rehearsal period in preparation for our March 2nd Concert.

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, January 19, 2025

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

March 2 Concert Repertoire

Check out the full program for our next concert here (and you can also take a peek at our June concert repertoire).

In addition to Star Wars, we’re collaborating with Pacific Youth Choir on a piece by Christopher Tin, the composer of the soundtrack for the video game franchise “Civilization.” We’re also welcoming an MYS alum: Steffen Schmidt. He’s a successful video game composer based in L.A. and Seoul. We’ll be playing his music for the video game Palia. Finally, a collaborative world premiere by students of the Young Composers Project, accompanying a brand new animated film by students from Portland Art Museum’s Center for an Untold Tomorrow.

March 2 Part Assignments

Thank you to those of you who submitted optional leadership auditions. It was great to hear your progress and “check in” with you this way.

As of today (Thursday, 1/16, 3pm-ish), I’ve only created winds/brass assignments for Star Wars. All strings have been assigned for each half of this upcoming concert. I will update wind/brass and percussion as the new assignments are created.

Part assignments so far can be accessed here. Percussion assignments are here.

Audio Reference

I’ve created a YouTube playlist where you can find audio reference tracks for our March 2 repertoire, including the Star Wars Suite. The playlist is here. I will also add the individual videos to the sidebar of this blog.

Access practice parts on the MYS website

Please download your assigned part for Star Wars and spend some time with it before Sunday. Go to our Online Music Library to find digital files of this music and the rest of our repertoire.

Strings: given the short rehearsal period for this concert, I’m adding bowings for everything (and fingerings for violins and violas).

The password to access our Online Music Library is playmys.

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

Star Wars 1977 U.S. Commercial Movie Poster

Rehearsal Plan: Concert Week – Jan 9, 10, 11, 12

Posted on by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

Hi all,

I was happy with the progress on Rachmaninoff on Sunday (Jan 5). Thanks for practicing! Please keep up the good work, and make sure to 1) listen to, and 2) practice the other pieces between now and our Thursday evening rehearsal.

Also, as I mentioned, I posted Hunter Noack’s practice recordings here. These are private and not to be shared. This is your first-hand source for knowing exactly how our soloist plays the piece. It’s useful to follow along with a full score, which you can find on the MYS digital library (password playmys) or here.

Our plan for the week is below (subject to changes).

Please remember that our evening rehearsals this week will take place at The Madeleine Parish – 3123 NE 24th Ave, Portland, OR 97212. Look for the MYS sign.

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Thursday, Jan 9 (at The Madeleine Parish)

  • 6:45pm arrival
  • 7:00pm-8:00pm: Rachmaninoff (with Hunter Noack)
  • 8:00pm-8:30pm: “All By Myself” (with Hunter Noack)
  • 8:30pm-8:40pm: Break
  • 8:40pm-9:10pm: Dvořák Violin Concerto (with Leena)
  • 9:10pm-9:30pm: Weber Clarinet Concerto (with Kaden)

Rehearsal Plan for Friday, Jan 10

  • 6:45pm arrival
  • 7:00pm-8:10pm: Rachmaninoff (with Hunter Noack)
  • 8:10pm-8:30pm: “All By Myself” (with Hunter Noack)
  • 8:30pm-8:40pm: Break
  • 8:40pm-9:05pm: Seas of Glass
  • 9:05pm-9:30pm: Dvořák Violin Concerto and Weber Clarinet Concerto (orchestra only, spots)

Rehearsal Plan for Saturday, Jan 11

Dress rehearsal in concert order:

  • 6:45pm arrival
  • 7:00pm-7:20pm: Seas of Glass
  • 7:20pm-7:40pm: Dvořák Violin Concerto (with Leena)
  • 7:40pm-8:00pm: Weber Clarinet Concerto (with Kaden)
  • 8:00pm-8:10pm: break
  • 8:10pm-9:30pm: Rachmaninoff & Encore (“All By Myself”)

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, Jan 12 (at Newmark Theatre)

  • 3:00pm: call time for percussionists
  • 3:30pm: call time for orchestra (except percussionists)
  • 4:00pm-4:55pm: Rachmaninoff & Encore (“All By Myself”)
  • 4:55pm-5:05pm: stage change (water/bathroom break, stay on stage if possible)
  • 5:05pm-5:15pm: Seas of Glass
  • 5:15pm-5:35pm: Dvořák Violin Concerto (with Leena)
  • 5:35pm-5:50pm: Weber Clarinet Concerto (with Kaden)

Not too late: please add bar numbers to all pieces

Another reminder: please make it a habit to write your name on each of your parts, and add measure numbers at the beginning of each line.

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

Access practice parts on the MYS website

If you misplace your parts and need to print replacements, or need access to PDFs for any reason, you may go to our Online Music Library to find digital files of everything we’re playing.

The password to access our Online Music Library is playmys.

See you Thursday!

Best,

Dr. G.

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

Rehearsal Plan for Jan 5, 2025 (Concert Week)

Posted on by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

Hi all,

Thanks for your work on Sunday. We now go into a long holiday break and we see each other again on Sunday, January 5. Below are a few requests for you to do between now and then:

  1. Please do a ton of listening. As you know, there are reference videos on the main page of this blog. And also, for your convenience, here is a YouTube playlist that contains each piece on our program, in concert order. Please listen every day if possible, even if it’s as background music as you do homework, etc. And even better: pick a piece or movement each day, and do some deep listening, following along with your part or a full score.
  2. Please practice. Be responsible and be strategic. Bring your individual parts to your absolute best between now and January 5th. You have everything you need to do this. Use your metronome, practice difficult passages SLOWLY. Play along to a recording to help identify challenging moments.
  3. Please add bar numbers to all pieces. This will save a lot of rehearsal time. Please do it.

All that said, also get some rest. Sleep well. Enjoy the holidays with your loved ones <3

I look forward to seeing you again in the new year.

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, January 5, 2025

  • 4:00pm-4:25pm: Seas of Glass (whole piece)
  • 4:25pm-5:00pm: Rachmaninoff, mov 3 (from #35 to end of piece)
  • 5:00pm-5:30pm: Rachmaninoff, mov 1 and 2 (no soloist)
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm: break
  • 5:45pm-6:15pm: More Rachmaninoff as needed
  • 6:15pm-6:40pm: Dvořák (no soloist)
  • 6:40pm-7:00pm: Weber (no soloist)

Please add bar numbers to all pieces

Another reminder: please make it a habit to write your name on each of your parts, and add measure numbers at the beginning of each line.

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

Optional leadership auditions

Optional leadership auditions are due Friday, January 3. This is an opportunity for you to be considered for leadership positions for our March 2025 concert, or to show me your work if you feel my rotations are not giving you the part assignments you’d like. Please record a video with at least 3 minutes of repertoire of your choice. It can be solo repertoire, or any music you’ve played with your ensembles at MYS, school, etc. E-mail me a video link directly at rgomez@playmys.org with the subject line “MYS Symphony Orchestra Leadership Audition.”

Access practice parts on the MYS website

If you misplace your parts and need to print replacements, or need access to PDFs for any reason, you may go to our Online Music Library to find digital files of everything we’re playing.

The password to access our Online Music Library is playmys.

Happy holidays!

Best,

Dr. G.

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