SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes for January 11, 2026

Posted on January 6, 2026January 7, 2026 by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

Dear MYS Symphony Orchestra,

Happy New Year! How is it 2026 already??

Our next concert is on Sunday, March 1st (4pm, Newmark Theatre). That means we only have 7 more weekend rehearsals before the performance. Don’t let the sound of “March” fool you. February always flies by. I’ll add a “countdown” to this post, in big letters, below.

Between now and the concert, please plan your practicing very strategically. I know you are all very busy with school and other extracurriculars. Time management is essential. It will be extremely important to practice regularly and mindfully. Plan and set goals for each practice session.

This coming Sunday (Jan 11), we have coachings during the first half of rehearsal, and tutti during the second half. Please see below for our detailed rehearsal plan.

I look forward to seeing you all again on Sunday.

Best,

Dr. G.

weekend rehearsals left before concert:

7

Recap – December 14, 2025

4:30pm-6:10pm: Holiday Cookie Exchange and Play-Along
6:25pm-7:50pm: We spent quite a bit of time on the 2nd movement of the Tchaikovsky Symphony. Please make sure to practice what we did in rehearsal to optimize your retention levels. I was still beating in 5 during most of our work. As we continue finding more flow, I plan to go into two beats per bar (subdivision 2+3). We prioritized intonation, and I plan to continue being demanding in this regard.
7:55pm-8:30pm: we did some work on movement 4. Not much. We discussed how one of the most important elements in this movement is to push and pull together, as indicated by the incalzando and animando instructions.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, January 11, 2026

Arrival: 5:15pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
5:30pm-6:45pm: sectionals/coachings
- Strings coachings on Tchaikovsky, Mov 3
  - Violin 1 with Keiko Araki (Music Room)
  - Violin 2 with Darian Todd (Altar Society)
  - Violas with Brian Quincey (Annex)
  - Cellos + bass with Marilyn DeOliveira (Pavillion)
- Woodwinds sectional @ cafeteria: Tchaikovsky, Mov 3
6:45pm-7:00pm: break
7:00pm-8:00pm: Tchaikovsky, Movement 4 (tutti)
8:00pm-8:30pm: Reinecke Flute Concerto (no soloist)
8:30pm – help reset the room and make sure no doors are left propped open.

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

Our YouTube reference playlist now includes a recording of the Reinecke Flute Concerto and the mock audio of James Lee’s piece “Gganbu.” Please click “S.O. VIDEO/AUDIO REFERENCE PLAYLIST” (button on sidebar) and listen to the playlist constantly as part of your preparation. Also, don’t limit yourself to only the recordings included in the playlist (of Tchaikovsky and Reinecke.) Branch out and listen to as many other versions as you can. You might find your very own favorite.

PDF Practice Parts

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 “S.O. Music Library” on the sidebar or the bottom of this blog page. The password is playmys.

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 percussionists. Concert Orchestra has openings too.

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 on Sunday)