Category: Symphony Orchestra

MYS Symphony Orchestra Posts

SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes – 9/16/25

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

Thanks for a productive rehearsal on Sunday 9/14. Please see below for a rehearsal recap, rehearsal plan for 9/21 and more.

Cheers,

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Recap – 9/14/25

  • We had our first set of sectionals: the winds were with Adam and the strings were with me. Strings worked on the 4th movement of Brahms, from the beginning to around letter N.
  • The tutti portion of rehearsal focused on Brahms (4th mov), from letter N to the end. We also read the first movement of Giancarlo’s flute concerto. I thought it was a pretty good read-through! Please continue to familiarize yourselves with this movement, particularly the rhythmically challenging elements. @Woodwinds: I owe you a simplified version of the rhythm at letter L. I’ll get to that soon, but in the meantime, try to wrap your heads around that passage on your own.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, September 21, 2025

  • Arrival: 5:15pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
  • 5:30pm-6:45pm – string sections will have coachings (each section will have a coach); winds/brass will have a regular sectional with Adam Eccleson in the cafeteria.
    • Please focus on Brahms: movement 1 – practice and listen to recordings!
  • 6:45pm-7:00pm – break (strings: come back to cafeteria)
  • 7:00pm-8:00pm – Brahms: movement 1
  • 8:00pm-8:30pm – Castro D’Addona: movement 2 – just as last week, please practice this at home. Listen to the music as part of your preparation. Use my YouTube playlist for reference.
  • 8:30pm – help reset the room and make sure no doors are left propped open.

Need celesta (piano) player for Castro

If anybody in the orchestra is a highly advanced piano player, and you’d like to play the celesta part in the Flute Concerto, please let me know! I’d love to fill this part with someone who’s already in the orchestra. Here’s the part for your perusal. —- Or, alternatively, if you have a friend at school who is a great piano player, please give me their name and email and I’ll reach out with an invitation.

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

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.

Register for Music Theory

Our intermediate and advanced Music Theory classes take place on Monday or Tuesday evenings, starting September 29 or 30. This class is STRONGLY recommended for everyone. More information and registration here.

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.

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 students at the Keller Fountain (August, 2025) | Photo by Sheepscot Creative

CONCERT Orchestra Notes – 9/16/25

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

Good work on Sunday 9/14. Thanks for your preparation. Please see below for this week’s notes.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Recap – 9/14/25

  • We had our first week of sectionals. Strings worked with Casey in the pavilion, and winds/brass worked with Adam in the cafeteria.
  • We spent most of our time during the tutti portion of rehearsal on the exposition of the Smyth Symphony. We found that the syncopations that start around m. 65 can be tricky. Please practice these with a metronome. You could start by setting your metronome to ~140 (with an accent every three beats if possible), and practice these syncopations making sure you’re changing notes on the 3rd and 6th beats (right before the accented one). Once you’re comfortable, increase the metronome speed by a few clicks and repeat the process. Eventually, you’ll want to switch the metronome to ~60 or so, and play the music “in two.” So, the triple subdivision will be internal (in your head).
  • Please also make sure to practice all the dynamic changes: subito dynamics, crescendos, diminuendos, etc.
  • Towards the end of rehearsal, we spent a little time on Brahms, starting at letter F. Please make sure you’re VERY aware of the difference between 3 bars before G and 2 bars before H. Remember that the tempo doesn’t change anymore after letter F.

Rehearsal Plan – 9/21/25

This coming Sunday will be the first weekend with coachings. We will have separate coaches for each string section (violin 1, violin 2, violas, cello+bass). The following week (9/28) will be the brass’s turn, and the following (10/5) the woodwinds’ turn.

  • Please arrive by 1:45pm at All Saints: 601 NE Cesar E Chavez Blvd, Portland, OR 97232. We can always use extra hands to help set up the room if you are able to get there closer to 1:30pm.
  • 1:45pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
  • 2:00pm-3:15pm – strings coachings (various locations); winds/brass sectional with Adam Eccleson in cafeteria
    • Please focus on Smyth: letter D to the end of the piece – our goal tempo for this piece will be dotted quarter = 112. For this rehearsal, be prepared to play accurately at dotted quarter = 90.
  • 3:15pm-3:30pm – break (strings: come back to cafeteria)
  • 3:30pm-4:30pm – Smyth: letter D to end, dotted quarter = 90
  • 4:30pm-5:00pm – Brahms: letter [F] (“Vivo”) to end – we’ll keep the same plan as last Sunday for Brahms: our goal tempo for the “vivo” sections of this piece will be quarter = 148. For this rehearsal, be prepared to play accurately at quarter = 120.

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

There is a small update to our Part Assignments document (violin 1). No updates this week to our schedule or repertoire list.

You can always find the most updated versions of these documents on the sidebar of this blog.

Reminder: suggestions for our spring term challenge piece

One final reminder to suggest pieces for our spring term challenge piece. Below are the overall requirements for this piece. If you think of anything, please email me and I’ll add your suggestion to my list! If there are 2 or 3 suitable options, I might have you all vote. Please send your ideas by Friday this week (9/19).

  • Duration: about 10 minutes maximum (this can be a single movement of a larger piece, a stand-alone concert piece, or a combination of a few shorter movements).
  • Instrumentation: full symphony orchestra (woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings). Harp and piano are welcome too.
  • Difficulty: realistic for the ensemble. We want it to be challenging, but not overwhelmingly difficult. If in doubt, send me your suggestion anyway and I’ll let you know.

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.

Register for Music Theory

Our intermediate and advanced Music Theory classes take place on Monday or Tuesday evenings, starting September 29 or 30. This class is STRONGLY recommended for everyone. More information and registration here.

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)

Dr. G.

MYS students at the Keller Fountain (August, 2025) | Photo by Sheepscot Creative

SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes – 9/9/25

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

What an exhilarating first rehearsal of the 4th movement of Brahms! Great work.

Please see below for a rehearsal recap and our rehearsal plan for 9/14. I’m also including other important information. Please make sure to read this whole post.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Recap – 9/14/25

  • We had our initial informational meeting. We set clear expectations for our rehearsals and season. I brought special attention to the three GIANT major-rep symphonies we’ll be playing this year.
  • You filled out your questionnaire, imagining you were answering in June of 2026 and looking back on this season. I’ve saved everybody’s sheets and will give them back to you at our June concert.
  • We read through (and worked a tiny bit) on the entire 4th movement of the Brahms Symphony.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, September 14, 2025

  • Please arrive by 5:15pm at All Saints: 601 NE Cesar E Chavez Blvd, Portland, OR 97232.
  • 5:15pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA. Then, strings go to the Pavilion; winds/brass stay in the cafeteria.
  • 5:30pm-6:45pm – strings sectional in Pavilion with me; winds/brass sectional with Adam Eccleson in cafeteria
    • I’d like to carry some of the momentum of the 4th movement of Brahms into this sectional, so, please practice the entire 4th movement at home this week. Our goal tempo for the main Allegro section will be quarter = 136. For this week, prepare all fast passage work at quarter = 110.
  • 6:45pm-7:00pm – break (strings: come back to cafeteria)
  • 7:00pm-8:00pm – Brahms: movement 4
  • 8:00pm-8:30pm – Castro D’Addona: movement 1 – please practice this at home!! You should NOT be sight reading at this rehearsal. I’ve added audio reference tracks to our YouTube playlist (linked on the sidebar or bottom of this page). Listen to the music as part of your preparation!
  • 8:30pm – help reset the room

MYS SYMPHONY Orchestra Updated Part Assignments

I made a few updates to our part assignments (violin 1, viola, horns) to reflect personnel changes. Please click on the button on the sidebar under “SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LINKS” (or scroll down if you’re on your phone) to see the most updated version of the PDF.

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

You can always find the most updated versions of these documents on the sidebar of this blog (or down below if you’re on mobile). I will always give you a heads-up if there are any changes in any of these PDFs.

Regarding the YouTube playlist linked under “S.O. Audio/Video Reference Playlist” (also linked on the sidebar), I won’t necessarily give you a heads-up when I add stuff here. Check weekly just in case! I did just add audio files for Giancarlo’s flute concerto.

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.

Register for Music Theory

Our intermediate and advanced Music Theory classes take place on Monday or Tuesday evenings, starting September 29 or 30. This class is STRONGLY recommended for everyone. More information and registration here.

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.

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.

Need celesta (piano) player for Castro

If anybody in the orchestra is a highly advanced piano player, and you’d like to play the celesta part in the Flute Concerto, please let me know! I’d love to fill this part with someone who’s already in the orchestra. Here’s the part for your perusal.

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 students in last season’s photo shoot (August, 2024) | Photo by Sheepscot Creative

CONCERT Orchestra Notes – 9/9/25

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

Thanks for a great first rehearsal! I was very pleased with our first session on Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 6, and look forward to continuing work on the Smyth Symphony.

Please see below for a rehearsal recap, our rehearsal plan for 9/14, and more. Please make sure to read this entire post!

NOTE for low brass: our arranger sent me the new low brass parts for the Smyth piece. I had a few corrections and edits, and we expect the final version back soon. I’ll email you separately with the parts when we have them.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Recap – 9/7/25

  • We had our initial informational meeting. We set clear expectations for our rehearsals and season.
  • You filled out your questionnaire, imagining you were answering in June of 2026 and looking back on this season. I’ve saved everybody’s sheets and will give them back to you at the end of the school year.
  • We did good work on the first half (or so) of the Brahms. We did lighter work on the second half of the piece.
  • We did a slow, basic read-through of the exposition of the Smyth piece.

Rehearsal Plan – 9/14/25

  • Please arrive by 1:45pm at All Saints: 601 NE Cesar E Chavez Blvd, Portland, OR 97232. We can always use extra hands to help set up the room if you are able to get there closer to 1:30pm.
  • 1:45pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA. Then, strings go to the Pavilion; winds/brass set up in the regular space (cafeteria)
  • 2:00pm-3:15pm – strings sectional in Pavilion with Casey Bozell; winds/brass sectional with Adam Eccleson in cafeteria
    • Please focus on Smyth: beginning to letter D – our goal tempo for this piece will be dotted quarter = 112. For this rehearsal, be prepared to play accurately at dotted quarter = 90.
  • 3:15pm-3:30pm – break (strings: come back to cafeteria)
  • 3:30pm-4:30pm – Smyth: beginning to letter D, dotted quarter = 90
  • 4:30pm-5:00pm – Brahms: letter [F] (“Vivo”) to end – our goal tempo for the “vivo” sections of this piece will be quarter = 148. For this rehearsal, be prepared to play accurately at quarter = 120.

MYS CONCERT Orchestra Updated Part Assignments

I made a few updates to our part assignments (in the winds only) to reflect changes made at rehearsal. Please click on the button on the sidebar under “CONCERT ORCHESTRA LINKS” (or scroll down if you’re on your phone) to see the most updated version of the PDF.

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

You can always find the most updated versions of these documents on the sidebar of this blog (or down below if you’re on mobile). I will always give you a heads-up if there are any changes in any of these PDFs.

Regarding the YouTube playlist linked under “C.O. Audio/Video Reference Playlist” (also linked on the sidebar), I won’t necessarily give you a heads-up when I add stuff here. Check weekly just in case!

Taking suggestions for our spring term challenge piece!

On Sunday, a member of the orchestra gave me the wonderful idea of asking YOU for suggestions for our spring term challenge piece. I think that’s brilliant. Thank you for the idea! Below are the overall requirements for this piece. If you think of anything, please email me and I’ll add your suggestion to my list! If there are 2 or 3 suitable options, I might have you all vote.

  • Duration: about 10 minutes maximum (this can be a single movement of a larger piece, a stand-alone concert piece, or a combination of a few shorter movements).
  • Instrumentation: full symphony orchestra (woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings). Harp and piano are welcome too.
  • Difficulty: realistic for the ensemble. We want it to be challenging, but not overwhelmingly difficult. If in doubt, send me your suggestion anyway and I’ll let you know.

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.

Register for Music Theory

Our intermediate and advanced Music Theory classes take place on Monday or Tuesday evenings, starting September 29 or 30. This class is STRONGLY recommended for everyone. More information and registration here.

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)

Dr. G.

MYS students in last season’s photo shoot (August, 2024) | Photo by Sheepscot Creative

Welcome to CONCERT Orchestra 2025-2026!

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

Welcome (or welcome back) to a new MYS Concert Orchestra season! It’s MYS’s 51st year, and my 10th as Music Director. I’m excited about getting to conduct Concert Orchestra in addition to Symphony Orchestra this year. I look forward to working with each of you!

Please expect an email from me every Tuesday with a link to my blog on the MYS website. These blog posts typically include a quick rehearsal recap, our rehearsal plan for the following week, and other important information. This is the first of such posts for the 2025-2026 season.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: You are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes before the posted rehearsal start time, and you must always show up to rehearsal prepared. This means practicing (at home) the music that we will be working on at each rehearsal. This starts today! See our rehearsal plan below, check your part assignment, download a PDF practice part, and start preparing for Sunday.

Please read on, and note any action items.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, September 7, 2025

NEW REHEARSAL TIME FOR CONCERT ORCHESTRA IS SUNDAYS 2:00PM-5:00PM

  • Please arrive by 1:45pm at All Saints: 601 NE Cesar E Chavez Blvd, Portland, OR 97232. Bring a music stand!
  • 1:45pm-2:00pm – grab your folder, grab your printed sheet music, say hi to friends!, find your seat
  • 2:00pm-3:20pm – Welcome meeting (parents welcome but not required), activities
  • 3:20pm-3:30pm – break
  • 3:30pm-4:30pm – Brahms Hungarian Dance No. 6
  • 4:30pm-5:00pm – Ethel Smyth Symphony for Small Orchestra

MYS CONCERT Orchestra 2025-2026 Schedule

Please click here to download our season schedule. Please make sure to add all rehearsals and events to your calendars. Please note the few dates with modified rehearsal times. If you identify any conflicts, please let me know as soon as possible. We’re always happy to support our students’ other interests and school commitments but we ask that you communicate your necessary absences as early as possible (maximum of 3 absences allowed per term). Thank you in advance!

MYS CONCERT Orchestra 2025-2026 Repertoire

Click here to see our 2025-2026 season repertoire. Our first concert will be MYS’s Season Opener at the Schnitz, and we will open for Symphony Orchestra. You’ll note there is a “challenge piece” listed within the spring concert repertoire. This will be the hardest piece in our season, and we will begin work on it during our fall term. All pieces marked at “TBD” will be chosen a few weeks into our fall term.

Part Assignments for Fall Term

Please click here to see your part assignments for the fall term. We’ll speak about this on Sunday, but I’d like to mention that my part assignments are not rankings. I rotate sections and leadership as much as possible. The most experienced players are not always in the front or first chair.

After you’ve noted your part assignments, please find and print practice parts below.

PDF Practice Parts

Click here to find practice parts for Brahms. As noted above, we’ll start working on this piece on Sunday.

Here are practice parts for the Ethel Smyth Symphony. We will read part of this piece on Sunday as well.

String players: make sure you download the parts marked as “bowed.”

After this week, you’ll be able to find PDFs of all of our music at the MYS Digital Music Library. I’ll send a link and further instructions next week.

Leadership Auditions

In our Season Schedule, you’ll note that there will be leadership auditions in the fall (for winter term) and in the winter (for spring term). These auditions will be done via self-submitted video. Further instructions will be sent later this month. This is an opportunity for you to show me your work, especially if you are not quite satisfied with your part assignments.

Audio Reference

There are many recordings of most of our repertoire that can be easily found online. I strongly encourage you to create your own playlists and add our repertoire to your regular listening rotation. For your convenience, all throughout the season, you can always find audio (or video) reference tracks selected by me on this YouTube playlist. The more you listen, the more you’ll enjoy playing this music.

Online orientation tonight! (Wednesday 9/3)

Join us tonight, Wednesday, September 3 from 7:00-8:00 pm, for our online Family Orientation. Meet our staff and artistic team, learn about the upcoming season, and ask questions about all things MYS!

The meeting will be recorded and available for later viewing.

Join the online Family Orientation via the Zoom link below. Contact Mark at production@playmys.org or Sarah at programs@playmys.org with any questions.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89429130641

Meeting ID: 894 2913 0641

Please complete tuition payment and enrollment confirmation

If you haven’t already done so, please complete these important steps. We haven’t heard from a few of you. Please email programs@playmys.org or call the MYS office if you need help: 503-239-4566

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.

Recent photo shoot with MYS students | August, 2025 | Photo by MYS

Welcome to SYMPHONY Orchestra 2025-2026!

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi all,

Welcome (or welcome back) to a new MYS Symphony Orchestra season! It’s MYS’s 51st year, and my 10th as Music Director. I’m exceedingly grateful to get to work with all of you each week for most of the year.

As you may know, I email the orchestra every Tuesday with a link to my blog on the MYS website. These blog posts typically include a quick rehearsal recap, our rehearsal plan for the following week, and other important information. This is the first of such posts for the 2025-2026 season.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: You are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes before the posted rehearsal start time, and you must always show up to rehearsal prepared. This means practicing (at home) the music that we will be working on at each rehearsal. This starts today! See our rehearsal plan below, check your part assignment, download a PDF practice part, and start preparing for Sunday.

Please read on, and note any action items.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, September 7, 2025

NEW REHEARSAL TIME FOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS 5:30PM-8:30PM

  • Please arrive by 5:15pm at All Saints: 601 NE Cesar E Chavez Blvd, Portland, OR 97232. Bring a music stand!
  • 5:15pm-5:30pm – grab your folder, grab your printed sheet music, say hi to friends!, find your seat
  • 5:30pm-6:50pm – Welcome meeting (parents welcome but not required), activities
  • 6:50pm-7:00pm – break
  • 7:00pm-8:30pm – Brahms Symphony No. 1, movement 4

MYS Symphony Orchestra 2025-2026 Schedule

Please click here to download our season schedule. Please make sure to add all rehearsals and events to your calendars. Please note the few dates with modified rehearsal times and our weeknight rehearsals leading up to each concert. If you identify any conflicts, please let me know as soon as possible. If you are a member of this orchestra, I expect that music plays an important role in your life and has a high priority in your scheduling. That said, we’re always happy to support our students’ other interests and school commitments. Communication and advance planning are key. Thank you in advance!

MYS Symphony Orchestra 2025-2026 Repertoire

Click here to see our 2025-2026 season repertoire. This season’s theme is “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants,” as we anchor our selections on three major core-repertoire masterworks: Brahms’s Symphony No. 1, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. At the same time, we continue performing and celebrating the music of local young composers and traditionally underrepresented composers.

Part Assignments for Fall Term

Please click here to see your part assignments for the fall term. We’ll speak about this on Sunday, but I’d like to remind you that my part assignments are not rankings. I rotate sections and leadership as much as possible. The most experienced players are not always in the front or first chair.

After you’ve noted your part assignments, please find and print practice parts below.

PDF Practice Parts

Click here to find practice parts for Brahms. As noted above, we’ll start working on movement 4 this Sunday.

After this week, you’ll be able to find PDFs of all of our music at the MYS Digital Music Library. I’ll send a link and further instructions next week.

Leadership Auditions

In our Season Schedule, you’ll note that there will be leadership auditions in the fall (for winter term) and in the winter (for spring term). These auditions will be done via self-submitted video. Further instructions will be sent later this month. This is an opportunity for you to show me your work, especially if you are not quite satisfied with your part assignments.

Concerto Competition

In our Season Repertoire document, you’ll note that both our March and our June concerts include a soloist. This could be you! This webpage on our website has all you need to know about our Concerto Competition. I hope many of you will participate.

Audio Reference

There are many recordings of most of our repertoire that can be easily found online. I strongly encourage you to create your own playlists and add our repertoire to your regular listening rotation. For your convenience, all throughout the season, you can always find audio (or video) reference tracks selected by me on this YouTube playlist. The more you listen, the more you’ll enjoy playing this music.

Online orientation tomorrow! (Wednesday 9/3)

Join us tomorrow, Wednesday, September 3 from 7:00-8:00 pm, for our online Family Orientation. Meet our staff and artistic team, learn about the upcoming season, and ask questions about all things MYS!

The meeting will be recorded and available for later viewing.

Join the online Family Orientation via the Zoom link below. Contact Mark at production@playmys.org or Sarah at programs@playmys.org with any questions.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89429130641

Meeting ID: 894 2913 0641

Please complete tuition payment and enrollment confirmation

If you haven’t already done so, please complete these important steps. We haven’t heard from a few of you. Please email programs@playmys.org or call the MYS office if you need help: 503-239-4566

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.

Recent photo shoot with members of MYS Symphony Orchestra | August, 2025 | Photo by MYS

Congrats on a Historic 50th Anniversary Season!

Posted on by mys-staff

Hi everyone,

I am still on cloud nine after the absolutely unforgettable concert on Tuesday evening. Every single one of you brought your best, and the result was a moving, meaningful and spectacular show.

I am very proud of everyone, and deeply grateful for your hard work and commitment to our collective music-making.

To me, personally, Tuesday night was a strong reminder of the many reasons why music is so powerful. Yes, it is a lot of FUN to get together and play an engaging piece of music for an enthusiastic audience. But beyond that, we get to utilize music as a vehicle to connect with each other. We get to raise our collective voice for issues that are important to us. Our music inspires people to reflect, think, feel, and act. Our art has the power to make a palpable, immediate positive difference in the lives of many. And that’s what happened Tuesday night. Our youngest performer on stage was 5 years old, and our oldest was 94. It was a truly multi-generational celebration, including the many alumni who joined us on stage.

Also, big shout-out to our Jazz All-Stars quintet and their director Christopher Brown. You guys really hit it out of the park.

So, THANK YOU ALL! If you are a graduating senior, please stay in touch! If you’ll be in the orchestra next school year, I cannot wait to work with you again (it will be my 10th anniversary season with MYS!).

Thank you also to our amazing volunteer group managers (Beth, Katrina, Mark, James), the MYS team (Diana, Mark, Sarah, Kyra, Suzanne), our Board of Directors, your families (who bring you to rehearsals, remind you to practice, etc, etc, etc…) and the many supporters of our organization.

Have a fantastic summer! I look forward to seeing a bunch of you at YMA, PSE and around town.

Best,

Dr. G.

MYS Symphony Orchestra, Jazz All-Stars, Community Choir and esperanza spalding
June 17, 2025 | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall | Photo by Ricardo Quintana

“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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