Hi everybody,

I’m grateful to Adam Eccleston for working with you last Sunday, and I’m excited to hear that good progress was made on Amir’s piece as well. I expect to be back this Sunday, and we will also have a couple of special guests.

Also, please triple-check your calendars so you have all of our upcoming weeknight rehearsals: 6/13, 6/14 and 6/15, 7pm-9:30pm at All Saints. I will publish the rehearsal order for all those rehearsals on Tuesday next week.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, June 9

• 4:00pm-5:00pm: Portland Beauty (+ tour guests), conducted by the composer! (Giancarlo Castro D’Addona)
• 5:00-5:30pm: Gipps Oboe Concerto (+ tour guests), with Mia Hale, oboe and Sam Ross, guest conductor
• 5:30 pm-5:45pm: Break
• 5:45pm-6:15pm: Huapango (+ tour guests)
• 6:15pm-7:00pm: Rimsky-Korsakov

Happy practicing,

Dr. G.

Jimmie Herrod with MYS Symphony Orchestra | January 9, 2024 | Photo by Kyra Hanson

Hi everybody,

I hope you had a wonderful extended weekend. Now it is time to change gears as we approach concert week!

As a few of you know, I had repair surgery on my Achilles tendon last week. I’m recovering well but I won’t be able to be at rehearsal this weekend. I need to be still and keep my foot elevated as much as possible until stitches come out and I’m put in cast on June 7th. So, the wonderful Adam Eccleston will be subbing for me this Sunday, and Amir will take the last portion of rehearsal to work on his piece.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, June 2

• 4:00pm-4:45pm (approx.): Moncayo: Huapango (with tour guests)
• 4:45pm-5:30pm: Capriccio Espagnol
• 5:30 pm-5:45pm: Break
• 5:45pm-6:15pm: Capriccio Espagnol
• 6:15pm-7:00pm: Freedom Overture

Happy practicing,

Dr. G.

MYS Hillsboro Camerata with Kevin Lefohn conducting | May 19, 2024 | Photo by Kyra Hanson

Hi all,

Thank you for your work with Mr. McCurdy and with Amir on Sunday. I enjoyed listening to the last 30 minutes of rehearsal. Below is our plan for this Sunday.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, May 19

• 4:00pm-5:30pm:
  • Castro: Portland Beauty (with tour guests)
  • Moncayo: Huapango (with tour guests)
• 5:30pm-5:45pm: Break
• 5:45pm-6:15pm: Music for an Imaginary Cartoon
• 6:15pm-7:00pm: Capriccio Espagnol

Happy practicing,

Dr. G.

Margaux Hicks with MYS Concert Orchestra | May 12, 2024 | Photo by Kyra Hanson

Made by local middle school students at Portland Art Museum’s “Center for an Untold Tomorrow.” This is a private video and should not be shared outside of MYS Symphony Orchestra membership. Thanks!

Hi everybody,

Great work last Sunday (5/5). Please see below.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, May 12

• 4:00pm-5:30pm:
  • Moncayo: Huapango (tutti, including tour guests)
  • Rimsky-Korsakov (tour guests dismissed)
• 5:30pm-5:45pm: Break
• 5:45pm-6:15pm: more Rimsky-Korsakov
• 6:15pm-7:00pm: Freedom Overture (Amir conducting)

Happy practicing,

Dr. G.

MYS Hillsboro Camerata at an Outreach Concert | May, 2024 | Photo by Mark Woodward

Hi everybody,

We’re done with sectionals for the season. I look forward to working with the full orchestra this Sunday. Please note that this Sunday is our annual open house. It’s a great chance to invite friends to come check out what MYS has to offer. Send them this registration/information link.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, May 5

• 4:00pm-5:30pm: Tutti, including tour guests:
  • Moncayo: Huapango
  • Gipps: Oboe Concerto (no soloist)
• 5:30pm-5:45pm: Break
• 5:45pm-7:00pm: Capriccio Espagnol

Happy practicing,

Dr. G.

From MYS Symphony Orchestra’s “Rooted” | March 3, 2024 | Photo by Richard Kolbell

Hi all,

Our final set of sectionals is this coming Sunday (4/28). Woodwind sections will work with coaches. Strings will be with me. Percussion and brass will be dismissed at the break.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, April 28

• 4:00pm-5:30pm: Tutti, including tour guests:
  • Castro: Portland Beauty
  • Moncayo: Huapango
• 4:00pm-5:30pm: Percussion with Kevin
• 5:30pm-5:45pm: Break – brass and percussion dismissed
• 5:45pm-7:00pm: Sectionals
  • Woodwinds with coaches: Rimsky-Korsakov
  • RGR with strings only: Music for an Imaginary Cartoon

Happy practicing,

Dr. G.

From MYS Symphony Orchestra’s “Rooted” | March 3, 2024 | Photo by Richard Kolbell

Hi all,

More sectionals this coming Sunday, this time for brass!

Last week (4/14) we spoke about rehearsal punctuality (arrive by 3:45pm!), and planning ahead when it comes to conflicts/absences. Please make sure to have our weeknight rehearsals on your calendars! (June 13, 14 and 15). These rehearsals are required, just like our regular Sunday rehearsals. You must communicate in advance if you have conflicts. Please and thank you.

Also, please remember that the main point of my sending rehearsal plans in advance is that you practice in advance.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, April 21

• 4:00pm-5:30pm: Tutti (except percussion), including tour guests
  • Castro: Portland Beauty
  • Oboe Concerto (no soloist)
• 4:00pm-5:30pm: Percussion with Kevin
• 5:30pm-5:45pm: Break
• 5:45pm-7:00pm: Sectionals
  • Brass w/ coaches: Rimsky-Korsakov, Moncayo if there’s time
  • RGR with everyone else: Rimsky-Korsakov

Happy practicing,

Dr. G.

From MYS Symphony Orchestra’s “Rooted” | March 3, 2024 | Photo by Richard Kolbell

Hi all,

Click here to view the required audition excerpts for our Seating Auditions due Wednesday, April 3 by midnight.

All parts can be found on our online music library. Password is playmys.

These auditions will be done by self-recorded video. Detailed submission instructions will be sent in the coming days.

The following instruments are exempt from submitting an audition (because there is only one “official” member of the section, or because there are already other processes in place): tuba, harp, piano, percussion.

Happy practicing!

Dr. G.

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From “Rooted” on March 3, 2024. Photo by Richard Kolbell.