SYMPHONY Orchestra: Leadership Audition Information

All members of the orchestra are expected to submit their audition video by the deadline of Tuesday, February 10.

Instructions:

• Please create one single video with all required excerpts. Cuts are not allowed within excerpts. You may do separate takes for each excerpt and stitch them together into a single video.
• An audible metronome must be used for your videos (unless indicated otherwise). Tempos are specified for each excerpt.
• Upload your video to YouTube and make sure to set the video privacy to “unlisted.”
• Submit your audition on this Google form.

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Audition Excerpts (all from Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 6)

Flute 1

Flute 2

Oboes (both parts)

• Mov 1, m. 161 to m. 197 – metronome @ 144
• Mov 3, m. 201 to m. 221 – metronome @ 150
• Mov 4, m. 108 to m. 130 (no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).

Clarinet 1

• Mov 1, m. 54 to m. 67 – metronome @ 116
• Mov 1, m. 153 to m. 160 (no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).
• Mov 1, m. 239 (with pick-up) to downbeat of [P] – metronome @ 144
• Mov 1, m. 326 (with pick-ups) to m. 336 (no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).

Clarinet 2

• Mov 1, m. 54 to m. 67 – metronome @ 116
• Mov 1, m. 238 to downbeat of [P] – metronome @ 144
• Mov 3, [Ee] to m. 315 – metronome @ 150
• optional: both 1st clarinet solos in 1st movement (m. 153 and m. 326)

Bassoons (both parts)

• Mov 1, m. 183 (with pick-up) to 199 – metronome @ 144
• Mov 3, m. 316 (with pick-up) to end of movement – metronome @ 150
• Mov 4, m. 23 to 36 (no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).

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[note for Concert Orchestra brass: you will be considered to join Symphony Orchestra permanently with this audition]

Horns 1 & 3

• Mov 1, m. 226 to 245 – metronome @ 144
• Mov 3, m. 229 to 274 – metronome @ 150
• Mov 4, m. 107 to letter K (no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).

Horns 2 & 4

• Mov 1, m. 226 to 245 – metronome @ 144
• Mov 3, m. 229 to 274 – metronome @ 150
• Mov 4, m. [B] to m. 36 (2ND HORN ONLY, no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).
• Mov 4, m. 98 to m. 137 (rest for only about 1 bar at H) (no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).

Trumpets (both parts)

• Mov 1, 5 after [C] to 1 before [D] (no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).
• Mov 1, 3 after [O] to 3 before [Q] – metronome @ 144
• Mov 3, [Y] to m. 282 – metronome @ 150

Trombone 1

• Mov 1, 5 before [N] to 4 after [P] (skip the 9 bars of rest before [O]) – metronome @ 144
• Mov 1, m. 336 to 339 – metronome @ 80
• Mov 3, [Y] to m. 282 – metronome @ 150
• Mov 4, [L] to [M] (no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).

Trombone 2

• Mov 1, m. 244 to 4 after [P] (skip the 9 bars of rest before [O]) – metronome @ 144
• Mov 1, m. 336 to 339 – metronome @ 80
• Mov 3, [Y] to m. 282 – metronome @ 150
• Mov 4, [L] to [M] (no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).

Trombone 3

• Mov 1, m. 238 to 8 after [P] (skip the 9 bars of rest before [O]) – metronome @ 144
• Mov 1, m. 336 to 339 – metronome @ 80
• Mov 3, m. 268 to m. 315 – metronome @ 150
• Mov 4, [L] to [M] (no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).

Tuba

• Mov 1, m. 260 (with pick-up) to 83 before [Q] – metronome @ 144
• Mov 3, m. 273 to m. 315 – metronome @ 150
• Mov 4, [L] to [M] (no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).

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Violin 1

• Mov 1, [H] (with pick-up) to m. 187 – metronome @ 144
• Mov 1, m. 305 to [T] (no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).
• Mov 3, beginning to [B] – metronome @ 150 (prioritize light bow stroke, NOT in the upper half)
• Mov 3, [Ee] to [Ii] – metronome @ 150

Violin 2

• Mov 1, m. 161 to m. 187 – metronome @ 144
• Mov 1, m. 305 to [T] (no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).
• Mov 3, [A] to m. 31 – metronome @ 150 (prioritize light bow stroke, NOT in the upper half)
• Mov 3, [Ee] to [Ii] – metronome @ 150

Viola

• Mov 1, m. 19 to m. 42 (beat 3) – metronome @ 116
• Mov 1, m. 86 to m. 88 (no metronome, tempo and phrasing based on rehearsals).
• Mov 1, [H] to downbeat of m. 190 – metronome @ 144
• Mov 3, m. 14 to m. 29 – metronome @ 150 (prioritize light bow stroke, NOT in the upper half)
• Mov 3, [Ee] to [Ii] – metronome @ 150

Cello

• Mov 1, m. 175 (with pick-up) to downbeat of m. 201 – metronome @ 144
• Mov 2, beginning to m. 16 (take the 1st ending and repeat, end at 2nd ending) – metronome @ 144
• Mov 3, m. 178 (beat 3) to m. 194 – metronome @ 150
• Mov 3, [Gg] to downbeat of [Kk] – metronome @ 150

Bass

• Mov 1, m. 175 (with pick-up) to downbeat of m. 201 – metronome @ 144
• Mov 3, m. 114 to m. 138 – metronome @ 150
• Mov 3, m. 330 to end of movement – metronome @ 150

CONCERT Orchestra: Leadership Audition Information

All members of the orchestra are expected to submit their audition video by the deadline of Tuesday, February 10.

Instructions:

• Please create one single video with all required excerpts. Cuts are not allowed within excerpts. You may do separate takes for each excerpt and stitch them together into a single video.
• An audible metronome must be used for your videos. The tempo for the Mozart symphony (1st movement) is half note = 100
• Upload your video to YouTube and make sure to set the video privacy to “unlisted.”
• Submit your audition on this Google form.

Audition Excerpts (all from Mozart, Symphony No. 40, Movement 1)

Flute

Oboes (both parts)

• m. 85 to m. 105 (no repeat)
• m. 114 to m. 138
• m. 273 to m. 284

Clarinet 1

• m. 45 to m. 66
• m. 81 to m. 101 (no repeat)
• m. 269 to m. 287

Clarinet 2

• m. 85 to m. 101 (no repeat)
• m. 153 to m. 166
• m. 273 to m. 287

Bassoon 1

• m. 45 to m. 76
• m. 115 (with pick-up) to downbeat of m. 134
• m. 228 to m. 260

Bassoon 2

• m. 85 to m. 105 (no repeat)
• m. 115 (with pick-up) to downbeat of m. 134
• m. 191 to m. 210

Violins (both parts)

• m. 21 (with pick-up) to m. 54
• m. 85 (with pick-up) to m. 100
• m. 104 (with pick-up) to m. 126 (2nd quarter)
• m. 184 (with pick-up) to m. 225

Viola

• m. 1 to m. 20 (prioritize even, light bow stroke – NOT in the upper half)
• m. 105 to downbeat of m. 134
• m. 185 to m. 210

Cello

• m. 85 to m. 95
• m. 115 (with pick-up) to downbeat of m. 134
• m. 191 to m. 210

Bass

• m. 44 to m. 70
• m. 198 to m. 210

Hi MYSfits,

Thank you for a wonderful fall term and a brilliant concert on 11/16. I’m excited for you to continue applying all the tools you practiced with the Criers for the rest of the season, under Kenji’s guidance. Please see below for everything you need to know for our winter term.

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Part Assignments

Linked here.

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PDF parts, score

Linked here. We’ll have hard copies on 12/7.

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Reference Recording

Listen to as many different recordings as you can, but here’s a good start:

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Calendar

No changes to our calendar from the one that was distributed at the beginning of the season, but here’s an updated PDF with past dates removed.

That’s it for now. Have a happy Thanksgiving break!

Dr. G.

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*** jazz hands with the Criers after 11/16 concert ***

Hi! Please click/tap the link below to answer our debriefing questionnaire about our November 9, 2025 concert. If you happen to see this before rehearsal on Sunday, 11/16, please wait until rehearsal to fill it out. We’ll allot time to do it.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

All members of the orchestra are expected to submit their audition video by the deadline of Tuesday, October 28.

Instructions:

• Please create one single video with all required excerpts. Cuts are not allowed within excerpts. You may do separate takes for each excerpt and stitch them together into a single video.
• An audible metronome must be used for your videos.
• Upload your video to YouTube and make sure to set the video privacy to “unlisted.”
• Submit your audition on this Google form.

Audition Excerpts

Flute 1 and 2

Please record from the part you’ll be playing at the concert.

Bassoon 1, 2 & Contra

Please record from the part you’ll be playing at the concert.

• Brahms, mov 1: K to m. 360 (dotted quarter = 108)
• Brahms, mov 4: m. 257 to m. 284 (quarter = 132)
• Castro, mov 1: L to M (eight note = 136)

Horn

Please record the Brahms excerpts from the 1st horn part, and the Castro excerpt from the part you’ll be playing at the concert.

• Brahms, mov 2: E (with pick-ups) to m. 105 (quarter = 48)
• Brahms, mov 4: B to 3 before C (quarter = 60)
• Castro, mov 1: L to M (eight note = 136)

Trumpet

Please record from the part you’ll be playing at the concert.

• Brahms, mov. 1: m. 313 (with pick-up) to L (dotted quarter = 108)
• Brahms, mov. 3: m. 101, take first ending, end at m. 87
• Castro, mov 1: D with pick-ups (thinking in 4; dotted eight note = 136)
• Castro, mov 1: m. 63 to m. 70 (eight note = 136)

Trombone

Please record from the part you’ll be playing at the concert.

• Brahms, mov 1: E to m. 186 (from adapted part; dotted quarter = 108)
• Brahms, mov 4: C to m. 61 (from original part; quarter = 66)
• Castro, mov 1: L to M (eight note = 136)
• Castro, mov 2: 4 after C (quarter = 86)

Violin 1

• Brahms, mov 1: K (with 1 note pick-up) to downbeat of M (dotted quarter = 108)
• Brahms, mov 4: 1 before D (with pick-up) to downbeat of 132 (quarter = 132)
• Castro, mov 2: m. 152 (with pick-ups) to P (dotted half (aka each bar) = 72)

Violin 2

• Brahms, mov 1: K to downbeat of M (dotted quarter = 108)
• Brahms, mov 4: 1 before D (with pick-up) to downbeat of 132 (quarter = 132)
• Castro, mov 2: m. 155 (with pick-up) to downbeat of P (dotted half (aka each bar) = 72)

Viola

• Brahms, mov 1: K to downbeat of M (dotted quarter = 108)
• Brahms, mov 4: K to m. 249 (quarter = 132)
• Castro, mov 1: m. 80 to downbeat of M (dotted quarter = 68)

Cello

• Brahms, mov 1: K to downbeat of M (dotted quarter = 108)
• Brahms, mov 4: K to m. 248 (quarter = 132)
• Castro, mov 2: m. O to 187 (dotted half (aka each bar) = 72)

Bass

• Brahms, mov 1: E to m. 189 (dotted quarter = 108)
• Brahms, mov 2: m. 47 (with pick-up) to m. 60 (quarter = 48)
• Castro, mov 1: K to downbeat of M (dotted quarter = 68)

All members of the orchestra are expected to submit their audition video by the deadline of Tuesday, October 28.

Instructions:

• Please create one single video with all required excerpts. Cuts are not allowed within excerpts. You may do separate takes for each excerpt and stitch them together into a single video.
• An audible metronome must be used for your videos. The tempos are as follows:
  • Smyth: dotted quarter = 112
  • Brahms (vivo tempo): quarter = 148
• Upload your video to YouTube and make sure to set the video privacy to “unlisted.”
• Submit your audition on this Google form.

Audition Excerpts

Flute 1

• Smyth:  H to m. 233
• Smyth: m. 263 to M
• Brahms: (piccolo part): 8 before H to end

Oboes (both parts)

• Smyth: letter B to m. 53
• Smyth: m. 261 to M
• Brahms: 11 before H to end

Clarinets (both parts)

• Smyth: letter H to m. 228
• Smyth: m. 263 to M
• Brahms: letter G to end

Bassoon 1

• Smyth: letter H to m. 233
• Smyth: m. 263 to M
• Brahms: letter G to end

Horns (all parts)

• Smyth: m. 68, take 1st ending and repeat, end at m. 8
• Smyth: m. 182 to letter G
• Brahms: H to end

Trombones (both parts)

• Smyth: m. 68, take 1st ending and repeat, end at m. 8
• Smyth: m. 182 to letter G

Tuba

• Smyth: m. 179 to letter G
• Brahms: H to end

Violin 1

• Smyth: m. 106 to downbeat of m. 142
• Smyth: m. 265 to downbeat of M
• Brahms: letter G to end (play your assigned divisi)

Violin 2

• Smyth: m. 109 to downbeat of m. 142
• Smyth: m. 263 to downbeat of M
• Brahms: letter G to end (play your assigned divisi)

Viola

• Smyth: m. 105 to downbeat of m. 142
• Smyth: m. 263 to downbeat of M
• Brahms: letter G to end (play your assigned divisi)

Cello

• Smyth: m. 67, take 2nd ending, end at m. 86
• Smyth: 2 before E to downbeat of m. 142
• Brahms: letter C (take repeat and finish at second ending) – quarter note = 69

Bass

• Smyth: m. 35 to m. 51
• Smyth: 2 before E to downbeat of m. 137
• Brahms: letter H to end

Hi MYSfits,

Great work on Sunday at our Sunday Parkways performance. Really fantastic work in only two rehearsals. Please read on for important updates.

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Repertoire Update

Our performance at All Classical on September 25 is just around the corner. For this performance, we will only play Holst (all four movements). Please prioritize this in your practicing this week.

After our All Classical performance, we will add two more pieces to prepare for our concert with A Far Cry in November: Lyric by George Walker, and a movement of Songs of the River Po, by local composer Deena T. Grossman.

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Thursday, 9/25 – All Classical Thursdays @ Three arrival details

From our friends at All Classical:

• Location: All Classical Radio, 222 SW Columbia St. Suite 300, Portland, OR 97201
• Arrival time for soundcheck: 1:00 PM. Your group will perform on the first half of the show.
• Parking: There are several *paid* parking options near KOIN:
  • KOIN Center Parking – 151 SW Clay St; located on the right side of the street between 1st and 2nd Aves
  • Street Parking – pay via the Parking Kitty app
• Video/photography: While photography is allowed during the show, taking videos of any kind is not permitted (by audience or performers). You are welcome to record video footage during soundcheck. Thank you for your understanding.

Parents/families: you may reserve tickets to attend this free performance here. 

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Updates to MYSfits calendar in November

A few changes to our calendar in November:

• New: rehearsal with A Far Cry on Wednesday, 11/12, 6pm-9pm
• Time change: rehearsal with A Far Cry on Friday, 11/14: now 7pm-9:30pm
• Cancelled: rehearsal with A Far Cry on Saturday, 11/15

I’ve reflected these changes on the calendar that’s linked on the sidebar of this blog. Please update your calendars accordingly. 

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Thanks,
Dr. G.

MYSfits at All Classical Radio – November 21, 2024 | Photo by MYS

Hi all,

We’ve had a few more people sign up to join us since my last email. Woohoo! Below are answers to a few questions I’ve received, as well as the information that went out in my previous email, before a few folks signed up. 

1. Memorization: not required! Though please familiarize yourself with the words and music so you can look up as much as possible and connect with esperanza and the audience. 

2. Attire: all black. For more details go to page 6 here. (ignore the “black mask optional” part, it’s outdated!)

3. Sheet music. Please print your own. However, if you cannot print, please shoot me an e-mail and we’ll print for you. 

4. Black binder. Please bring a plain, black binder for your sheet music. If you cannot source one, please let us know and we’ll help out. 

5. Call sheet. Our current call sheet for the concert day can be accessed here. Most important information: call time at the Schnitz on 6/17 is 2:30pm. Rehearsal on stage from 3pm to 4:15pm. At the concert, singers will enter the choir loft during intermission. Stay tuned for more information about backstage space for you, etc. 

6. Sign-ups will be open until Friday 6/13. Please feel free to spread the word further. We’d love to welcome even more singers. Here’s a link to the sign-up form: https://forms.gle/NdQpQt77ZSYyGNnU7
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Information from original email: 

REPERTOIRE

1. esperanza spalding: Ebony and Ivy

– UPDATED CHOIR PART (AS OF 6/12/25)

– Full score for reference. 

– Reference recording.

2. esperanza spalding: Dispelling the Lie of Lies (MYS commission, world premiere)

– Voice part (PRINT THIS ONE – unison for all, to be sung with orchestra singing as well)

– Full score for reference

– MIDI mock audio reference (the three singing sections happen at 5m46s, 11m33s and 13m24s)

– Video for practicing vocal part.

SCHEDULE

– Detailed rehearsal plans are here. Location is All Saints Catholic School: 601 NE Cesar E Chavez Blvd, Portland, OR 97232