CONCERT Orchestra Notes – September 8, 2026
Hi all,
I hope you had a restful Labor Day weekend. Our first rehearsal of the year is this Sunday! (September 13). We’re excited to see you very soon.
Thank you to those of you who submitted optional leadership auditions. It was wonderful to hear you play.
Please read this entire post carefully, and see you soon!
Best,
Dr. G.
weekend rehearsals left before concert:
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CONCERT ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, September 13
- 5:00pm: arrival & check-in at MYS (3880 SE Brooklyn St.) (main sanctuary door)
- 5:00-5:15pm: make a name tag, find your folder, double-check part assignments, grab your sheet music, write your name on your sheet music
- 5:15pm-5:30pm: welcoming remarks (together with Symphony Orchestra musicians)
- 5:30pm-6:30pm: sectionals on Bizet’s Carmen Suites: movements Habanera and Les Toréadors (not to be confused with Chanson du Toréador)
- Strings with Vijeta Sathyaraj (Fellowship Room aka Basement aka Contrabassment)
- Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion with Adam Eccleston (Fireside Room)
- 6:30pm-7:00pm: break
- 7:00pm-8:30pm: full orchestra rehearsal with Dr. G on Habanera and Les Toréadors.
Roster & Part Assignments
Part assignments for Bizet’s Selections from Carmen Suites No. 1 and No. 2 have been posted. Part assignments were made based on optional leadership auditions, performance in past seasons with MYS and new student auditions. These assignments are always subject to change. My part assignments are not rankings. I rotate positions of leadership and try to create balanced sections.
If you’re unhappy with your part assignment, you can always show me your progress at the next set of optional leadership auditions (due October 27 for Winter part assignments).
You can find our Fall Part Assignments by clicking on the button on the sidebar of this page (or at the bottom of the page if you are on a mobile device.) The first page contains alphabetical listings of each section. Page 2 contains part assignments.
PLEASE let me know if you spot any obvious errors or accidental omissions.
Download PDF Parts to practice before Sunday
After consulting the Part Assignments document, please navigate to our Online Music Library (the password is playmys), and find PDF practice parts. Make sure to start practicing the two movements I listed above (Habanera and Les Toréadors) before rehearsal this Sunday.
If you have a digital tablet and a page-turning pedal, you’re welcome to use them for rehearsals and concerts. However, please make sure to ALSO have your paper parts as a back-up. You never know when technology might fail you. And it tends to fail in the worst possible moments :-/
Please remember that it is your responsibility to show up well-prepared to every rehearsal. This means that you need to practice at home, listen to recordings, and get to know the music as best as you can.
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The information below is from my previous post. I’m leaving it here for your convenience. It’s all important information relevant to this weekend and the whole year:
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2026-2027 Season Calendar
You can always access our season calendar by clicking on the button on the sidebar of any of these blog posts (or at the bottom of the page if you are on a mobile device).
PLEASE add every single rehearsal and performance to your calendars ASAP.
Things to note:
- Concert Orchestra’s new rehearsal time is 5:15pm-8:30pm. This will allow more time for weekly sectionals and a longer break.
- Pay special attention to our PRE-CONCERT REHEARSALS, which take place the day before each concert.
- String sections will have coachings on one Thursday evening each term. 10/1, 12/17 and 4/8.
- Please prioritize our rehearsals as you plan for other conflicting activities. Communicate your conflicts to your other activities as early as possible.
- There is a maximum of 3 allowed absences per term. If you know you’ll have more than 3 planned absences, please reach out to me directly ASAP.
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, clarinets 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 the new MYS facility, 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.
Our team has been hard at work putting the final touches on our rehearsal space. The “Fellowship Hall” aka the Contrabassment has a shuffleboard court. Does anybody know how to play? | 9/8/26