Hi everyone,
I’m very grateful to Casey Bozell for leading the first half of rehearsal on Sunday, 10/19 (Smyth). The second half of rehearsal (Brahms and Holst) was fun and productive.
We have only two more full rehearsals before our concert on November 9th (10/26 and 11/2). Please continue practicing the Smyth and Brahms pieces, so that you’re in complete control of your individual part and can dedicate more bandwidth to listening, watching and playing together. Especially listening.
Dr. G.
Rehearsal Recap – 10/19/25
- First half of rehearsal: Casey Bozell conducted Smyth. Thanks, Casey!
- Reminders about Smyth: 1) Please practice with a metronome. 2) Our tempo main tempo for this piece is dotted quarter = 122. 3) The tempo of the coda is dotted quarter = 120.
- We took our group photos.
- Second half of rehearsal:
- Brahms dance (detailed work)
- Holst (detailed work, beginning to about No. 2)
Rehearsal Plan – 10/26/25
Optional on 10/26: wear your Halloween costume!
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 at 1:30pm to open the space.
- 1:45pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
- (if you forgot to wear your concert attire on 10/19, please get it reviewed and approved by Group Managers.)
- 2:00pm-3:30pm: Smyth: whole piece
- 3:30pm-3:45pm – break
- 3:45pm-4:30pm – Brahms: whole piece
- 4:30pm-5:00pm – Holst (unless we end up spending more time on Smyth & Brahms).
Reminder: Remedial Concert Dress Check
If you forgot to wear your concert attire on Sunday 10/19, please wear it to rehearsal this weekend (10/26). Make sure to get it checked by Group Managers. Feel free to change back to regular clothes during the break.
Optional: wear your Halloween costume on 10/26
Just make sure your costume doesn’t get in the way of your playing 🙂
Reminder: MYS Concerto Competition Finals – Friday, Oct 24, 7:00pm
This is optional, but it would be great for as many of you as possible to come be inspired by your Symphony Orchestra peers, as they compete for spots to be featured as soloists with our orchestras this season. Friday, October 24, 7pm, at the new MYS facilities at 3880 SE Brooklyn St.
Reminder: Leadership Auditions are due Tue, October 28.
You’ve all been practicing our repertoire, so the musical preparation for this video audition shouldn’t feel like a giant, additional burden. Please review the required excerpts, guidelines and submission information here.
MYS CONCERT Part Assignments, Orchestra Schedule, Repertoire, Audio Reference, etc…
There is a small change in violin seating due to attendance. Please check the Part Assignments PDF linked on the sidebar of this page.
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)
Dr. G.
MYS Concert Orchestra 2025-2026 | Photo by Ivy Chiu