CONCERT Orchestra Notes for 10/5/25

Posted on September 30, 2025September 30, 2025 by mys-staff

Hi all,

Good work on Sunday 9/28.

As per our season schedule, I am due to announce winter term leadership audition excerpts this week. Expect another email from me on Thursday with this information. These short video auditions will be due on Tuesday, October 28.

Please see below for a recap and our rehearsal plan for 10/5.

Thanks!

Dr. G.

Rehearsal Recap – 9/28/25

First half of rehearsal: I worked with the woodwinds, Eric Alterman worked with the full string section and Heidi Aispuro coached our brass section. Work focused on Smyth. With the woodwinds, we worked in detail from the beginning of the piece to letter K.
Second half of rehearsal: we read the whole Smyth piece with the full orchestra, and then worked backwards from the end to letter I. We were able to put in some focused, detailed work. We also spoke about expectations for this ensemble. Namely, practice at home consistently and strategically, and ALWAYS show up to rehearsal well prepared.
We spent the last 30 minutes of rehearsal on the Brahms dance. We worked on the Vivo sections first, increasing the tempo gradually. Then, we worked on letter C, letter B, and the opening of the piece, where the tempo fluctuates.

Rehearsal Plan – 10/5/25

Please arrive by 1:45pm. We can always use extra hands to help set up the room if you are able to get there closer to 1:30pm. I will arrive right at 1:30pm to open the space.

1:45pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
2:00pm-3:15pm:
- All strings with Casey in the Cafeteria – Smyth (detailed work: D to K).
- Brass with Adam in the Pavilion – Smyth (whole piece)
- Oboes + bassoon coaching (Annex) – Smyth and Brahms as needed
- Clarinets coaching (Altar Society) – Smyth and Brahms as needed
- Flutes coaching (Music Room) – Smyth and Brahms as needed
3:15pm-3:30pm – break (everyone back to cafeteria)
3:30pm-4:30pm – Smyth: whole piece
4:30pm-5:00pm – Brahms: whole piece

Come hear me play viola with Oregon Symphony musicians

I’ll be playing viola with Oregon Symphony musicians at the upcoming ChatterPDX concert on Sunday, October 5 at 10:30pm. We’ll be performing Tchaikovsky’s String Sextet “Souvenir de Florence.” Details and tickets here. I hope to see many of you there.

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

There is a small update in seating order for first violins. Please click the relevant button on the sidebar of this blog (“C.O. Fall 2025 Part Assignments.”)

As I mentioned above, I’ll write again on Thursday with the excerpts for the leadership audition.

Also, we’ll add parts for Jupiter in the coming days, as well as temporary part assignments for that piece.

Spring term challenge piece: Jupiter from The Planets by Gustav Holst.

We’ll play Jupiter from The Planets by Gustav Holst. I hope that we can start work on this piece during the fall term, but this will depend on how quickly we make progress on Smyth and Brahms. It’s not too early to start listening to this piece! Find and save your favorite recordings.

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.

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)