SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes – October 20, 2026
Dear MYS Symphony Orchestra,
I thought we had a great rehearsal on Sunday, October 11. We ended up spending most of our time on the first movement of Shostakovich, and didn’t get to Candide, but the work that we did felt solid and productive.
We are now less than a month away from the concert. We have, in fact, only 3 more weekend rehearsals left, plus our pre-concert rehearsals. Please continue practicing your individual parts mindfully and strategically!
Please see below for a rehearsal recap, plans for 10/25, and more details.
Best,
Dr. G.
weekend rehearsals left before concert:
3
Rehearsal Recap: Sunday, October 18
- 5:00pm-6:30pm: tutti with RGR
- 5:00pm-5:10pm: Group photo 📸
- 5:10pm-6:30pm: We spent most of our time on the 1st movement of Shostakovich (5pm-6:15-ish). We did detailed work on the whole movement. Towards the end, we read through movement 4: beginning to about [110]. We did just light work on movement 4.
- 6:30pm-7:00pm: break
- 7:00pm-8:30pm: sectionals, woodwind coachings
- Strings worked with with Amanda Grimm (OS Principal Viola) @ Contrabassment on Shostakovich (all movements)
- Woodwinds and Brass worked with James Shields @ Fireside Room on Shostakovich (all movements)
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, October 25
- 4:45pm: arrival & check-in
- 5:00pm-6:30pm: tutti with RGR
- 5:00pm-5:45pm: Candide
- 5:45pm-6:10pm: Movement 4 of Shoskovich, [110] to end
- 6:10pm-6:30pm: Skye Neal’s Coalesce (with Felipe conducting)
- 6:30pm-7:00pm: break
- 7:00pm-8:30pm: sectionals
- Strings with Sam Ross (Music Director of Tilikum Chamber Orchestra & Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra, MYS alum) @ Contrabassment – Candide (and movement 2 of Shostakovich if there’s time).
- Woodwinds and Brass with Jeff Garza (Principal Horn, Oregon Symphony) @ Fireside Room – Candide (and movement 2 of Shostakovich if there’s time).
Leadership Auditions due October 27
This deadline is coming up! Our optional leadership auditions are due October 27th, as per our season calendar. While these auditions are optional, I highly encourage everybody to submit one. It’s one of the most effective ways for you to show me your individual work and progress.
The list of excerpts and instructions have been posted here.
You can submit your audition on this form.
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).
2026-2027 Concerto Competition
Symphony Orchestra musicians are eligible to enter our Concerto Competition. All information can be found on this page. Below are important dates to keep in mind (these are also on our Season Schedule):
- November 20: deadline to have repertoire pre-approved by Dr. G.
- November 27: registration and teacher approval forms due
- December 4: audition videos due
- December 8: finalists announced
- January 8: live, in-person finals, open to the public
2026-2027 Repertoire
You can find the latest draft of our season repertoire on the sidebar of this page (or bottom of the page if you’re on a mobile device). Here’s a direct link for your convenience.
The repertoire might still change, especially as we plan for our Japan tour on June of 2027. Thanks to those of you who sent me repertoire suggestions.
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 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.
MYS Symphony Orchestra | 10/18/26 | Photo by MYS