Posted on March 10, 2026March 11, 2026 by mys-staff

SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes for March 15, 2026

Dear MYS Symphony Orchestra,

What a thrill to be at the beginning of a rehearsal process that will conclude with an unforgettable performance of Beethoven’s great Symphony No. 9.

We got off to a good start on Sunday 3/8 with work on the iconic 4th movement. The strategic practicing skills that we have developed working on Brahms Symphony No. 1 (45 min) and Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 (46 min) will be more important than ever as we work on Beethoven’s 9th (65 min).

And every minute of work will be rewarded with a deeply impactful concert on June 14, 2026. I cannot wait.

Please remember that this coming Sunday (3/15) we have a modified rehearsal schedule (4:30pm-6:30pm) due to the MYS Community Concert happening at All Saints at 7pm. Also, we’ll be welcoming a special guest: Zoe Schlussel, who will be giving a workshop on Body Mapping. More information about this below.

Finally, all are encouraged to stay and support your peers at the concert upstarts starting at 7pm. MYSfits and Symphonic Wind Ensemble will perform.

Best,

Dr. G.

weekend rehearsals left before concert:

10

Rehearsal Recap – March 8, 2026

First half: sectionals on mov. 4 of Beethoven
- Strings with RGR
- Winds/brass with Robert Wakeley

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, March 15, 2026

Arrival: 4:15pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
4:30pm-5:30pm: Body Mapping workshop with Zoe Schlussel
5:30pm-5:40pm: break
5:40pm-6:30pm: Beethoven, movement 1
6:30pm – help reset the room and make sure no doors are left propped open.
(highly encouraged:) 7:00pm – stay for MYS Community Concert upstairs in the church

What is Body Mapping?

“Taught in universities, colleges, conservatories, and private studios world-wide, Body Mapping encourages wellness, enhances musicians’ expressive possibilities, and fosters music making without limitations. Body Mapping invites us to replace our faulty body maps with anatomically correct maps in order to reduce tension and allow for effortless and expressive movement.

In Body Mapping, one learns to gain access to one’s own body map through self-observation and self-inquiry. The student corrects his or her own body map by assimilating accurate information provided by kinesthetic experience, the use of a mirror, anatomical models, books, pictures, and teachers. One learns to recognize the source of inefficient or harmful movement and how to replace it with movement that is efficient, elegant, direct, and powerful based on the truth about one’s structure, function, and size.” (excerpt from here).

PSU‘s Zoe Schlussel has generously offered to give this workshop to our students free of charge. We’re very grateful, and I’m very excited to have you work with her this Sunday.

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

[update 3/11/26: there are changes in the cello and violin 2 sections. I have corrected a couple of errors] – Find all relevant PDFs and links on the side bar of this webpage (or bottom of the page if on mobile).

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 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,
(and don’t forget to bring a music stand on Sunday)