SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes – October 6, 2026
Dear MYS Symphony Orchestra,
Thanks for a wonderful rehearsal on Sunday, October 4. It really felt like we started to tap into the intense emotional content of the 3rd movement of Shostakovich. Candide is coming along as well.
I will post the excerpts for our optional leadership auditions (due October 27th) tonight. 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.
Please see below for a rehearsal recap, our plan for 10/11, leadership auditions and more.
Best,
Dr. G.
weekend rehearsals left before concert:
5
Rehearsal Recap: Sunday, October 4
- 5:00pm-6:30pm: tutti with RGR
- 5:00pm-6:00pm: we worked on Shostakovich Symphony No. 5, Movement 3. We focused on digging deep into the emotional content of the music. After a read-through, we worked on [81] to 1 before [83], and [88] to the end.
- 6:00pm-6:30pm: we worked on Bernstein’s Overture to Candide. Beginning to [134-ish], and slow work at [64].
- 6:30pm-7:00pm: break
- 7:00pm-8:30pm: sectionals, brass coachings
- Strings with Tomás Cotik (Fellowship Room aka Basement aka Contrabassment) – movement 3 of Shostakovich
- Woodwinds with Jeff Garza, horns with Kim Minson, trumpets with Elizabeth Sotelo and low brass with JáTtik Clark (Fireside Room) – movement 3 of Shostakovich and other spots.
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, October 11
- 4:45pm: arrival & check-in
- 5:00pm-6:30pm: tutti with RGR
- 5:00pm-5:30pm: Read-through of Skye Neal’s Coalesce (Young Composers Project)
- 5:30pm-6:10pm: work on Shostakovich Symphony No. 5, Movement 2
- 6:10pm-6:30pm: work on Bernstein’s Overture to Candide
- 6:30pm-7:00pm: break
- 7:00pm-8:30pm: woodwind coachings by sections – spots in all movements (coaches’ choice)
- Flutes with Adam Eccleston in Jazz Room (basement level)
- Oboes with Kenneth Bader in Room 206 (2nd floor)
- Clarinets with James Shields in Room 108 (1st floor)
- Bassoons with Kai Rocke in Room 207 (2nd floor)
- 7:00pm-8:30pm: sectionals
- Strings with Tomás Cotik (Fellowship Room aka Basement aka Contrabassment) – Candide Overture
- Brass with Kim Minson (Fireside Room) – Shostakovich – all movements (coach’s choice)
Leadership Auditions due October 27
As I mentioned above, our optional leadership auditions 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 violinists work with Erin Furbee, Assistant Concertmaster of the Oregon Symphony | Thursday 9/24, 2026 | photo by MYS