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 (ignore the “black mask optional” part, it’s outdated!)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

[update 6/10/25]

Hi all,

This event has been canceled. We will keep everybody posted about a rescheduled date in the 2025-2026 season.

Thanks!!

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The Oregon Symphony has selected MYS to take part in a side-by-side opportunity in June, in collaboration with the Young Composers Project.

We will be workshopping a brand new piece from the OS’s first-ever Emerging Composer Fellowship. Their inaugural fellow is Caleb Palka, an MYS alum. Caleb was the first composer to be commissioned by The Authentic Voice, MYS’s collaboration with the Young Composers Project, back in 2017.

Please mark your calendars for:

• Saturday, June 21 – 10:00am-12:00pm (rehearsal with Dr. G.)
• Sunday, June 22 – 4:00pm-6:30pm (session with Oregon Symphony musicians and David Danzmayr)

Location will be All Saints Catholic School (our usual rehearsal space).

I realize that this is after our last concert on June 17, and some of you might be unavailable. We will send out an RSVP form so you can let us know if you can be there.

For now, please do pencil in those dates. We are honored to have been invited by the Oregon Symphony.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Oregon Symphony with Music Director David Danzmayr | Photo by Oregon Symphony

Hi all,

A quick note about tempi in “Drums,” for those of you joining this Sunday or next week:

All tempi will be performed as printed, with the following exceptions/notes:

• m. 421: no subito tempo change. Instead, stay at half-note = 126 and ritardando to 88.
• m. 441: tempo should be half note = 108
• m. 473: tempo should be half note = 88
• m. 489: we will play this a tempo (no allargando), at half note = 126

Thanks and see you soon!

James P. Johnson

With MP3s from each composer. Enjoy!

MP3s can be accessed here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/rbekpm67t4k791o09bf66/AIwtRJF8ynTXUoFnpRQT8Ag?rlkey=z9qk13kbakxvq2ngmxsvez2y8&dl=0

For your convenience, and for you to add to your parts, please see the reference list below. Please add measure numbers to the left at the beginning of each line in your part.

Format: [Rehearsal Number]. [Measure Number]

1. (movement 1) m.11
2. m.27
3. m.55
4. 75
5. 103
6. 125
7. 153
8. 177
9. 209
10. 237
11. 261
12. 280
13. 297
14. 313
15. 337
16. 353
17. (movement 2) m.9.
18. m.24
19. 39
20. 55
21. 71
22. 87
23. 105
24. 112
25. 122
26. 137
27. 148
28. (movement 3) m.43
29. m.65
30. 83
31. 122
32. 150
33. 180
34. 214
35. 256
36. 288
37. 326
38. 368
39. 394
40. Presto: 426
41. Maestoso: 431
42. Risoluto: 459

Sergei Rachmaninoff – Bain News Service, publisher – Library of Congress 

Hi everybody,

Below is our rehearsal plan for Sunday, April 14. Please note that this is the first of three straight Sundays with sectionals.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, April 14

• 4:00pm-5:30pm: Tutti (except percussion)
  • Huapango
  • Oboe Concerto (no soloist)
• 4:00pm-5:30pm: Percussion with Kevin
• 5:30pm-5:45pm: Break
• 5:45pm-7:00pm: Sectionals
  • Strings w/ coaches: Rimsky-Korsakov
  • RGR with everyone else: Rimsky-Korsakov

Please listen to recordings of all the repertoire (and especially the Oboe Concerto, since we’ll read it this Sunday). You can find audio/video on the right column on this webpage (or scrolling all the way down if you’re on a mobile device).

Happy practicing!

Dr. G.

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

Hi all, I hope you had a wonderful spring break. I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday. Below is my rehearsal plan for 4/7.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, April 7

• 4:00pm-4:45pm: Portland Beauty (with tour guests)
• 4:45pm-5:30pm: Huapango (with tour guests)
• 5:30pm-5:45pm: Break
• 5:45pm-6:30pm: Music for an Imaginary Cartoon (YCP piece)
• 6:30pm-7:00pm: Avsker’s Freedom Overture (YCP piece)

Happy practicing!

Dr. G.

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

1. Consult repertoire requirements here
2. If needed, print a practice part here (password is playmys)
3. Video guidelines: No cuts are allowed within a single excerpt. If you are required to record more than one excerpt, you may make separate videos for each excerpt. Just make sure to submit all the necessary video links on the form linked below.
4. Submit your video link(s) here: https://forms.gle/v41NpzryCiuvYBV47
5. Deadline is Wednesday, April 3 by 11:59:59pm.

Happy practicing!

Dr. G.

Regale your ears with this fantastic recording of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 by the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, conducted by Frans Brüggen. Click the thumbnail below to listen on YouTube.

As you listen, what do you notice about the pitch? Why do you think this is? What other stylistic features you do hear?

Enjoy!