CONCERT Orchestra Notes – September 22, 2026
Hi everyone,
Thank you for another productive rehearsal on Sunday, September 20. Please remember that it is CRUCIAL that you practice your parts each week at home and with your private teacher. Use my rehearsal notes to plan strategically.
Also, when you arrive on Sunday for sectionals, please go directly to your sectional rooms (Contrabassment for strings and Fireside Room for woodwinds & brass). Your sign-in sheets will be there.
Please read on!
Best,
Dr. G.
weekend rehearsals left before concert:
7
Rehearsal Recap: Sunday, September 20
- 5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals – Strings worked with Vijeta and Woodwinds & Brass worked with Kim. We focused on Danse Bohème primarily.
- 6:30pm-7:00pm: break
- 7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- Les Toréadors: we reviewed 4 bars before [B] and 8 bars before [E], and played a bit of the main theme closer to tempo.
- Habanera: I explained the fermata 3 after [D] and 2 before the end, and we practiced both spots a bit.
- Danse Bohème: we worked through the entire movement. This movement was quite rough, despite me having sent my rehearsal plan last week, and your work in sectionals.
- Please practice at home!
CONCERT ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, September 27
- 5:00pm: arrival & check-in
- Please go directly to your sectional rooms. The sign-in sheets will be in each room (Contrabassment and Fireside Room).
- 5:15pm-6:30pm: sectionals – work on Prelude, Aragonaise, and if there’s extra time revisit spots in Danse Bohéme.
- Strings with Vijeta Sathyaraj @ Contrabassment.
- Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion with Adam Eccleston @ Fireside Room.
- 6:30pm-7:00pm: break
- 7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with RGR
- 7pm-8pm: Prelude & Aragonaise
- 8pm-8:30pm: revisit spots in Les Toréadors, Habanera and Danse Bohéme.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Audio/Video Reference Playlist
I’ve created a YouTube playlist that you can use as a resource to listen to our repertoire. This playlist is linked on the side bar of this page (or at the bottom if you’re on a mobile device).
Please use it! Or even better: use it and find even more recordings by different orchestras and conductors. The more you listen to our repertoire, the better you’ll understand the big picture of the music.
MYS Online Music Library
All parts are available on our website as PDF files. Please go to our Online Music Library. It is linked on the side bar of this page (or at the bottom if you’re on a mobile device). The password is playmys.
This is useful if you lose your hard copies and need to print fresh ones at home, or if you want to use a digital device (like an iPad with a Bluetooth page turning pedal).
Bring your friends to MYS
If you have friends at school who would enjoy playing with us, send me their name and email and I’m happy to reach out. Or, you could give them my email. Right now, in this orchestra, we could use more violas, basses, brass and percussion.
Availability for private lessons
I don’t take long-term regular private students, but this season I will have some availability for “one-off” violin, viola or conducting lessons. The lessons can be at MYS, 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!
Dr. G.
A behind-the-scenes picture of the MYS photo shoot back in late August. We’ll have the official photos soon! | 8/30/26 | Photo by MYS