Posted on May 19, 2026May 19, 2026 by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes – Memorial Day Weekend

Dear MYS Symphony Orchestra,

We don’t have rehearsal this coming Sunday (5/24), and then we have only 2 weekend rehearsals left before our concert (!!!), plus our weeknight rehearsals.

Please make sure to be practicing our entire repertoire, prioritizing difficult sections, but strategically covering everything.

Important information and reminders below.

Dr. G.

weekend rehearsals left before concert:

2!!

Recap – Sunday, May 10, 2026

4:30pm-5:00pm: Japan Tour meeting
5:00pm-5:45pm: Elaina Stuppler’s HEADLINES
5:45pm-6:30pm: Tchaikovsky Rococo with Margaux

Plan for Sunday, May 24, 2026

NO REHEARSAL
Next rehearsal: Sunday, May 31

Weeknight Rehearsals & Concert Call Sheet

Thursday 6/11 – 7pm-9:30pm
Friday 6/12 – 7pm-9:30pm
Saturday 6/13 – 7pm-9:30pm
Sunday 6/14 – call sheet

Beethoven: violin 1 and cello/bass: Extra coaching on 5/31

Please add to your calendars. 1st violins and cello/bass sections: Sunday, May 31, 3:30pm-5:00pm.

1st violins: 3rd movement (with Tomás Cotik)
Cello/bass: recitativos in 4th movement (with me)

RVSP to Oregon Symphony Collaboration on June 9

A few of you have already RSVP’d. Thank you. The rest of you, please fill out this form (we need to hear from everybody whether you can do it or not). Here’s the full information.

REGISTRATION is open for next season. Do it ASAP, please.

IT’S TIME TO REGISTER FOR NEXT SEASON. If you register before our last concert, you will not need to audition. If you miss this deadline of June 14, you will have to take a regular MYS audition to return to your spot in the group.

Take the End-of-the-Season Survey

Every spring we gather feedback to help shape the growth of MYS. This survey is a great way to impact next year’s program.

Every parent/guardian and student is encouraged to submit the survey.

We want to hear about your experience in your ensemble(s). How was your conductor? How was the amount and level of the music you studied? How did your ensemble help you toward your musical goals?

This survey also asks about tuition, rehearsal and concert venues, music theory, and the highlight of your year.

The survey closes on Thursday, June 18. Click here to take the survey.

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

Find all relevant PDFs and links on the side bar of this webpage (or bottom of the page if on mobile).

Summer Volunteer Opportunity: “The Classical Northwest”

MYS alum Amir Avsker is organizing a new performance opportunity for local musicians this summer. From Amir:

“The Classical Northwest is a new music festival that will take place in Portland during the first week of August. The festival will include three orchestra concerts, masterclasses, and opportunities to put together and perform your own chamber music programs. Participation in the festival is free and will allow you to work with some of the most respected professionals in the region.”

A concert including Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 is scheduled for Sunday, August 2nd at 7pm at The Reser. Rehearsals 5:30pm-8:30pm on July 20, 23, 27 & 30. Dress rehearsal on Friday 7/31 at 2pm. Soundcheck on Sunday 8/2 at 3pm and concert at 7pm.

I will be playing principal viola for this, and I hope many of you will join. It should be fun. If you have any questions, please contact Amir directly: amir.avsker@gmail.com

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.

Audition prep/private lessons during the summer

I will have a bit more bandwidth during the summer to teach private lessons. Lessons can be in person at the MYS building in SE Portland, or via Zoom. (My instruments are violin and viola, but I may also be available for coaching sessions for other instruments). 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)