Category: Symphony Orchestra

MYS Symphony Orchestra Posts

“Ebony & Ivy” Spoken Word & Rhythm

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

Below is a link to a PDF with the words and rhythm to be spoken in esperanza’s “Ebony & Ivy.”

Please practice it!

Words and Rhythm in “Ebony and Ivy”

Best,

Raúl/Dr. G.

and from earlier this week:

PLEASE PRACTICE the singing in “Dispelling the Lie of Lies”

I’ve created a YouTube video for those of us who play esperanza’s commission to practice our singing. It’s below, and also on our reference YouTube playlist.

MIDI mock audio of “Dispelling the Lie of Lies”

This video has been on our reference YouTube playlist for a while, but as of last Sunday, it only had 35 views. It has 53 views today (yay!). Please use it to practice and become extremely familiar with this piece. We are playing the world premiere of a new commissioned piece by 5-time-GRAMMY-award-winning esperanza spalding. I’ll type that again: We are playing the world premiere of a new commissioned piece by 5-time-GRAMMY-award-winning esperanza spalding. It’s a big deal! Thanks in advance for your thorough preparation.

Program Page, Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Below are links to updated PDFs with our program page and part assignments including alumni.

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

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Raúl/Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan: June 14 to June 17

Posted on by mys-staff

Location of Rehearsals

Rehearsals are at All Saints Catholic School: 601 NE Cesar E Chavez Blvd, Portland, OR 97232 (cafeteria; with glass doors facing NE Glisan)

Rehearsal Plan for Saturday, June 14, 2025

  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before you are needed.
  • NEW START TIME: 6:30pm!!
  • 6:30pm-7:00pm – esperanza repertoire (emphasis on singing sections)
  • 7:00pm-8:00pm – esperanza repertoire
    • Ebony & Ivy
    • Dispelling the Lie of Lies
    • Midnight in Carlotta’s Hair
  • 8:00pm-8:20pm – Price
  • 8:20pm-8:30pm – break
  • 8:30pm-8:50pm – Johnson
  • 8:50pm-9:05pm – Armstrong with Raúl
  • 9:05pm-9:20pm – Kodály with Raúl
  • 9:20pm-9:30pm – La Vida es un Carnaval (strings, percussion)

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, June 15, 2025

  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before you are needed.
  • NEW START TIME: 3:30pm!!
  • 3:30pm-4:00pm – spots in esperanza’s repertoire
  • 4:00pm-5:30pm – with esperanza spalding:
    • Ebony & Ivy
    • Midnight in Carlotta’s Hair
    • Dispelling the Lie of Lies
  • 5:30pm – esperanza and Jazz All-Stars move to Library for “Throw it Away.”
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm – break
  • 5:45pm- 6:15pm – Johnson
  • 6:15pm – 6:30pm – Armstrong with Andrés Lopera
  • 6:30pm-7:00pm – Kodály with Mr. Balogh

Rehearsal Plan for Monday, June 16, 2025 (final full rehearsal)

  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before you are needed.
  • NEW START TIME: 6:30pm!!
  • 6:30pm-7:00pm – spots in esperanza’s repertoire
  • 7:00pm-8:15pm – repertoire with esperanza spalding in program order.
    • Ebony & Ivy
    • Throw It Away
    • Dispelling the Lie of Lies
    • Midnight in Carlotta’s Hair
  • 8:15pm – [if needed] esperanza and Jazz All-Stars move to Library for more “Throw it Away.”
  • 8:15pm-8:30pm – break
  • 8:30pm-9:30pm – 1st half of concert in *reverse* program order
    • 8:30pm-8:40pm – Kodály with Mr. Balogh
    • 8:40pm-8:55pm – Armstrong with Andrés Lopera
    • 8:55pm-9:10pm – Johnson
    • 9:10pm-9:25pm – Price
    • 9:25pm-9:30pm – La Vida es un Carnaval (strings, percussion)

Rehearsal Plan for Tuesday, June 17, 2025

  • See call sheet here.
  • 2:00pm: call time for percussionists, jazz quintet and group managers.
  • 2:30pm: call time for rest of orchestra.
  • 3:00pm-4:15pm: rehearse 2nd half of show (esperanza pieces)
  • 5:10pm: call time for most alumni (double-check part assignments and call sheet).
  • 5:35pm-6:25pm – rehearse 1st half of show (Price, Johnson, Armstrong, Kodaly)
  • 6:25pm-6:35pm – transition on stage
  • 6:35pm-6:55pm – La Vida es un Carnaval (strings, percussion)
  • 7:30pm: concert

Program Page

The full program page with repertoire and timings can be found here.

Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Updated part assignments can be accessed below:

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

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

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

Rehearsal Notes: 6/3/25

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

Thanks for a productive rehearsal on Sunday, June 1st. It was great to have a few alumni join, and we were able to stick to our rehearsal plan for the whole evening. This coming Sunday, we expect most of our participating alumni. When you arrive at All Saints, please check in at the table by the entrance and make sure to grab your name tag.

For our rehearsal plan for Sunday, June 8th (and the rest of rehearsals), as well as location information, please refer to this post, which I will make sure to keep updated.

Below are a few important notes relevant to your practice and preparation.

Thanks!

Raúl/Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, June 8, 2025

  • Please arrive by 3:45pm.
  • Refer to this post for our detailed rehearsal plan.

PLEASE PRACTICE the singing in “Dispelling the Lie of Lies”

I’ve created a YouTube video for those of us who play esperanza’s commission to practice our singing. It’s below, and also on our reference YouTube playlist.

MIDI mock audio of “Dispelling the Lie of Lies”

This video has been on our reference YouTube playlist for a while, but as of last Sunday, it only had 35 views. It has 53 views today (yay!). Please use it to practice and become extremely familiar with this piece. We are playing the world premiere of a new commissioned piece by 5-time-GRAMMY-award-winning esperanza spalding. I’ll type that again: We are playing the world premiere of a new commissioned piece by 5-time-GRAMMY-award-winning esperanza spalding. It’s a big deal! Thanks in advance for your thorough preparation.

Program Page, Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Below are links to updated PDFs with our program page and part assignments including alumni.

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

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Raúl/Dr. G.

esperanza spalding | Photo by Weiyu Dang

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Rehearsal Plan for June 1, 2025

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

I hope you all had a fun Memorial Day weekend! Below is our rehearsal plan for this Sunday, June 1, along with a few useful links as we enter the homestretch of preparing for our June 17 concert.

Update (5/29/25): We have confirmation that esperanza WILL join us for rehearsal this Sunday.

Jazz All-Stars: please plan to be there at 3:45pm this Sunday.

Alumni: You’re welcome to join starting this Sunday if you’re in town and you see your assigned piece(s) listed in my rehearsal plan below.

Thanks!

Raúl/Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, June 1, 2025

  • Please arrive by 3:45pm.
  • 4:00pm-5:00pm – esperanza spalding: Dispelling the Lie of Lies
  • 5:00pm-5:15pm – esperanza spalding: Ebony and Ivy
  • 5:15pm-5:30pm – Wayne Shorter: Midnight in Carlotta’s Hair
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm – break
  • 5:45pm-6:15pm – James P. Johnson: Drums
  • 6:15pm-6:45pm – Florence Price: Dances in the Canebrakes
  • 6:45pm-7:00pm – Arr. Ted Ricketts: Satchmo!

Program Page, UPDATED Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Below are links to updated PDFs with our program page and part assignments including alumni.

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

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Raúl/Dr. G.

esperanza spalding | Photo by Sandrine Lee

Notes from Dr. G. – May 21, 2025

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

Starting with this message, I’m adding all participating alumni and members of MYS Jazz All-Stars to this email list. Welcome, all!!

Also, congrats to all of you who recently performed at our Community Concerts! (MYSfits, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz, etc). What a fantastic set of concerts!

There is no rehearsal this coming Sunday (May 25) because of Memorial Day Weekend. Alumni and Jazz All-Stars are welcome to join rehearsals starting on Sunday, June 1 if you’re in town. I will send an email on Tuesday next week (May 27) with our rehearsal plan for June 1st. After that, you can reference this post with our rehearsal plan for June 8th onwards.

Finally, there are a few changes in our Part Assignment Rosters for the first half of the concert. Please double-check each of the four pages to see if your assignment has changed.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, May 25, 2025

  • Please arrive by 3:45pm.
  • No rehearsal this week!

Program Page, UPDATED Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Below are links to updated PDFs with our program page and part assignments including alumni.

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

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

MYS Jazz All-Stars | May 18, 2025, All Saints Church | Photo by MYS

Rehearsal Plan for May 18, 2025

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

We will have a shorter rehearsal this coming Sunday (5/18) for most of you: 4:00pm-5:30pm. The second half of rehearsal will be MYSfits only (5:45pm-7:00pm). Please consider staying to support your friends playing in the Community Concert happening upstairs in the church starting at 7:00pm.

Additionally, we will have a special guest spend time with us at the beginning of rehearsal: Ginette DePreist. Ms. DePreist was married to the legendary conductor James DePreist, who was the transformational Music Director of the Oregon Symphony from 1980 to 2003. That was only one of his many musical achievements on the world stage. Listen to Ms. DePreist talk about her life with Mr. DePreist here. Our theme this season is “barrier breakers,” and Mr. DePreist is a shining example.

Reminders:

Please listen to our reference video/audio regularly. It’s all on the sidebar of this blog and this YouTube playlist.

Unless you’re a graduating senior, it’s time to re-register for next season to avoid having to re-audition. No exceptions will be made. Your deadline is June 17th. Anybody who registers after June 17th will have to re-audition.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, May 18, 2025

  • Please arrive by 3:45pm.
  • 4:00pm-4:20pm – Visit by Ginette DePreist
  • 4:20pm-4:50pm – Johnson
  • 4:50pm-5:10pm – Kodály
  • 5:10pm-5:30pm – spalding
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm – end of rehearsal for most musicians / break
  • 5:45pm-7:00pm: MYSfits only

Program Page, Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Below are links to updated PDFs with our program page and part assignments including alumni.

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

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

MYS Symphony Orchestra cellist Leah Almeida with Concert Orchestra | May 10, 2025 | Photo by MYS

Rehearsal Plan for May 11, 2025

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

I hope you’re well! Attendance hasn’t been good in the last few weeks. For the most part, this has been due to people being out sick, or having conflicting school or musical events (all valid reasons). As we approach the end of our season, please prioritize attendance and preparation.

We are done with sectional rehearsals for the season. Update: we do have string sectionals this Sunday. This Sunday, we will revisit esperanza’s Ebony and Ivy, Wayne Shorter’s Midnight in Carlotta’s Hair, and esperanza’s commissioned piece. We will sing this Sunday! Strings will have sectionals on Johnson, and I will work with WBP on Price and Satchmo. Please see below for the detailed rehearsal plan, and make sure to prepare accordingly.

Looking ahead: Sunday, May 18 – modified schedule! Symphony Orchestra will rehearse from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. The second half of rehearsal will be for MYSfits only, in preparation for the MYS Community Concert happening upstairs in the church starting at 7:00pm. I encourage everyone to attend this concert and support your peers.

Other reminders:

Please listen to our reference video/audio regularly. It’s all on the sidebar of this blog and this YouTube playlist.

Unless you’re a graduating senior, it’s time to re-register for next season to avoid having to re-audition. No exceptions will be made. Your deadline is June 17th. Anybody who registers after June 17th will have to re-audition.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, May 4, 2025

  • Please arrive by 3:45pm.
  • 4:00pm-4:30pm – Dispelling the Lie of Lies
  • 4:30pm-5:00pm – Midnight in Carlotta’s Hair
  • 5:00pm-5:30pm – Ebony and Ivy
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm – break
  • 5:45pm-7:00pm:
    • String sectionals on Johnson’s “Drums”
    • WBP with RGR on: Florence Price – all 3 movements, Satchmo

Program Page, Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Below are links to updated PDFs with our program page and part assignments including alumni.

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

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

MYS Symphony Orchestra with David Danzmayr | November, 2024 | Photo by RGR

Rehearsal Plan for May 4, 2025

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

We’re going into our third and final weekend of sectional rehearsals. Woodwind sections will work with coaches during the second half of rehearsal this Sunday.

Also, we will read and work on the encore that Mr. Balogh will conduct: the Intermezzo from Háry János Suite by Zoltán Kodály.

Earlier this week, I sent out part assignments to alumni for each of the pieces on the first half of our June 17 concert. Please double-check these new PDFs to confirm your own part assignment. They’re linked below.

Again, remember to listen to our reference video/audio regularly. It’s all on the sidebar of this blog and this YouTube playlist.

Finally, unless you’re a graduating senior, it’s time to re-register for next season to avoid having to re-audition. No exceptions will be made. Your deadline is June 17th. Anybody who registers after June 17th will have to re-audition.

Best,

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, May 4, 2025

  • Please arrive by 3:45pm.
  • 4:00pm-4:30pm – Kodály: Intermezzo from Háry János Suite.
  • 4:30pm-5:30pm – James P. Johnson’s Drums: A Symphonic Suite
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm – break
  • 5:45pm-7:00pm:
    • woodwind sectionals on James P. Johnson’s Drums: A Symphonic Suite
    • percussion sectional/MYSticks with Mr. Schlossman
    • strings and brass with Dr. G. on James P. Johnson’s Drums: A Symphonic Suite

Program Page, Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Below are links to updated PDFs with our program page and part assignments including alumni.

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

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

MYSfits| April 18, 2025 | MYS Gala at Castaway Portland | Photo by Richard Kolbell

Rehearsal Plan for April 27, 2025

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

I hope you had a fun Easter. We’re back this coming Sunday, and I can tell you from experience… things are going to move FAST between now and our Season Finale concert with esperanza spalding on June 17.

So, PLEASE PRACTICE! Remember that by being a member of this orchestra, you’ve committed to learning and practicing our repertoire at home. Let’s make sure rehearsals are fun and efficient by being prepared. Also, I’m sure your private teachers would love to help you with our repertoire if you ask them.

Remember to listen to our reference video/audio regularly. It’s all on the sidebar of this blog and this YouTube playlist.

Best,

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, April 27, 2025

  • Please arrive by 3:45pm.
  • 4:00pm-5:00pm – Florence Price’s “Dances in the Canebrakes” movs 2 and 3
  • 5:00pm-5:30pm – James P. Johnson’s Drums: A Symphonic Suite
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm – break
  • 5:45pm-7:00pm:
    • brass sectionals on James P. Johnson’s Drums: A Symphonic Suite
    • percussion sectional/MYSticks with Mr. Schlossman
    • strings and woodwinds with Dr. G. on esperanza’s “Dispelling the Lie of Lies.”

Added: Intermezzo from Háry János Suite by Zoltán Kodály

MYS founder, Maestro Lajos Balogh, will conduct an encore at the end of the first half of the concert: Intermezzo from Háry János Suite by Zoltán Kodály. Parts will be handed out on Sunday.

Part Assignments and Practice Parts

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

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

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

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

Rehearsal Plan for April 13, 2025

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your patience in receiving this late rehearsal plan e-mail, which I normally send out on Tuesdays. It’s been a very busy week!

We’re back to our regular rehearsal time of 4pm-7pm this coming Sunday. Plus, we start sectionals! Strings will have guest coaches this week.

We will have a few updated parts for esperanza’s piece, after a round of corrections. Please check at the sign-in table to see if there are updated parts for your instrument.

Remember to listen to our reference video/audio regularly. It’s all on the sidebar of this blog and this YouTube playlist.

Best,

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, April 13, 2025

  • Percussion: 4:00pm-5:30pm – work with Mr. Schlossman. Please arrive by 3:45pm at the latest to set up!
  • 4:00pm-5:00pm – Florence Price’s “Dances in the Canebrakes”
  • 5:00pm-5:30pm – Satchmo
  • 5:30pm-5:45pm – break
  • 5:45pm-7:00pm:
    • string sectionals on esperanza’s “Dispelling the Lie of Lies.”
    • winds, brass and percussion with Dr. G. on esperanza’s “Dispelling the Lie of Lies.”

Part Assignments and Practice Parts

Part assignments can be accessed here. Latest percussion assignments are here.

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

Audio Reference

Check the sidebar of this blog and or access this YouTube playlist. Feel free to research online on your own too!

Happy practicing!

Best,

Dr. G.

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