SYMPHONY Orchestra Notes – September 8, 2026
Hi all,
I hope you had a restful Labor Day weekend. Our first rehearsal of the year is this Sunday! (September 13). We’re excited to see you very soon.
Thank you to those of you who submitted optional leadership auditions. It was wonderful to hear you play.
Please read this entire post carefully, and see you soon!
Best,
Dr. G.
weekend rehearsals left before concert:
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Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, September 13
- 4:45pm: arrival & check-in at MYS (3880 SE Brooklyn St.) (main sanctuary door)
- 5:00pm: make a name tag, find your folder, double-check part assignments, grab your sheet music, write your name on your sheet music
- 5:15pm-5:30pm: welcoming remarks (together with Concert Orchestra musicians)
- 5:30pm-6:30pm: documentary on Shostakovich Symphony No. 5
- 6:30pm-7:00pm: break
- 7:00pm-8:30pm: sectionals on Shostakovich Symphony No. 5, Movement 1
- Strings with Tomás Cotik (Fellowship Room aka Basement aka Contrabassment)
- Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion with Adam Eccleston (Fireside Room)
Roster & Part Assignments
Part assignments for Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 and for Bernstein’s Overture to Candide have been posted. Part assignments were made based on optional leadership auditions, performance in past seasons with MYS and new student auditions. These assignments are always subject to change. You’ll note there are rotations between pieces. My part assignments are not rankings. I rotate positions of leadership and try to create balanced sections.
If you’re unhappy with your part assignment, you can always show me your progress at the next set of optional leadership auditions (due October 27 for Winter part assignments).
You can find our Fall Part Assignments by clicking on the button on the sidebar of this page (or at the bottom of the page if you are on a mobile device.) The first page contains alphabetical listings of each section. Part assignments begin on page 2 (one page per each piece in the concert).
PLEASE let me know if you spot any obvious errors or accidental omissions.
Download PDF Parts to practice before Sunday
After consulting the Part Assignments document, please navigate to our Online Music Library (the password is playmys), and find PDF practice parts for the Shostakovich Symphony. Make sure to start practicing the first movement at home before rehearsal this Sunday.
Feel free to also download your part for Bernstein’s Candide Overture, though we will not be playing that this week.
If you have a digital tablet and a page-turning pedal, you’re welcome to use them for rehearsals and concerts. However, please make sure to ALSO have your paper parts as a back-up. You never know when technology might fail you. And it tends to fail in the worst possible moments :-/
Please remember that it is your responsibility to show up well-prepared to every rehearsal. This means that you need to practice at home, listen to recordings, and get to know the music as best as you can.
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The information below is from my previous post. I’m leaving it here for your convenience. It’s all important information relevant to this weekend and the whole year:
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2026-2027 Season Calendar
You can always access our season calendar by clicking on the button on the sidebar of any of these blog posts (or at the bottom of the page if you are on a mobile device). For your convenience, here’s a direct link.
PLEASE add every single rehearsal and performance to your calendars ASAP.
Things to note:
- Our regular rehearsal time has been expanded to 5pm-8:30pm. This will allow more time for weekly sectionals and a longer break.
- Pay special attention to our PRE-CONCERT REHEARSALS, which take place in the days leading up to each concert. Dates and times are different from last year, and there’s a Monday night rehearsal in the fall. Pre-concert rehearsals on Saturdays are a different times too.
- String sections will have coachings on 1 Thursday evening each term. 9/24, 12/10 and 4/22.
- Please prioritize our rehearsals as you plan for other conflicting activities. Communicate your conflicts to your other activities as early as possible.
- There is a maximum of 3 allowed absences per term. If you know you’ll have more than 3 planned absences, please reach out to me directly ASAP.
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 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,
Dr. G.
Our team has been hard at work putting the final touches on our rehearsal space. New lights and acoustical panels have gone up. See you soon! | 9/8/26