Dear Senior Symphony! We get to see each other soon–yes!
I am looking forward to visiting with you and to hearing your auditions in the coming days.ย I am very proud of you.
I know auditioning can be an anxious experience. Please know that I am your friend and teacher in all of this, and that I am enjoying hearing you and your progress. If you can, consider how your mind and body react to putting yourself through an auditionโthat is excellent information to consider, analyze, and to discuss in the future–especially before your next audition, speech, meeting, exam, etc.
AUDITION REMINDERS
If you would, please bring your own copy of the assigned excerpts to the audition and rehearsals. Iโll have a copy, but youโll want your own markings, I bet. Also, I will have a metronome for the excerpts, but if you wish to use your own, that might make you more comfortable.
Senior Symphony Seating Auditions will consist of 5 components, in this order:ย
1. Brief greeting
2. Solo. 2-3 minutes. Your choice should demonstrate your best knowledge, abilities, and strengths.
3. Excerptsย ย You will be asked to perform each marked passage. With the exception of any cadenza-like excerpts, be prepared to perform with a metronome. If the marking is too fast, prepare the passage at a slower tempo.
Violin note: we noticed that there is a little misprint in your excerptโฆ in the 3rdย measure after Q โฆthe 2NDย beat quarter note (or 2ndย quarter note in the bar) is an E natural and not a C#…not a big deal, but there it is.
Cello note:ย Please play the 3rdย of the four excerpts how your teacher has instructed you play the passage.ย Remember this is the one I emailed you aboutโฆit seem folks have differing opinions which weโll resolve when we rehearse the piece. : )
4. Scales. I will pick at least 2 scales for you to play in any key, major or minor. Perform the scales as you have been instructed by your private teacher.
5. Short conversationย about this season!
Special Notes:
- Concertmasters, Principals, and Section Leadership: I am starting to receive your notes and requests for interview timesโฆkeep those coming and thank you for considering helping the orchestra in this way.
- Flutists: If you play the piccolo, please plan to play a brief solo of your choice.
- Oboists: We would like to know in advance if you play English horn and/or own or have access to one. If you are interested in playing English horn this season, email Operations Directorย Marna Bestul at marnabestul@myso.org.
- Clarinetists: You will need A Clarinets. We also would like to know in advance if you play E-flat or bass clarinet and/or own or have access to either. In addition, do any of you play the saxophone? Emailย Marna Bestul.
- Bassoonists: Emailย Marna Bestulย if you are interested in playing (or learning) contra bassoon this season.
- Trumpetย players: All players should have access to C trumpets and should be able to transpose like the awesome horn players. : )
- Percussionists: Please prepare solos on timpani, snare drum, and xylophone or marimba, which will be provided. In addition, please prepare the timpani and percussion excerpts provided.
- Pianists:ย if you would like to play piano in any of our pieces this season, emailย Marna Bestulย and me atย cartersimmons@myso.org.
REHEARSAL AND MUSIC REMINDERS
We have rehearsals this week, too, which is very exciting!ย The schedule is below. When you arrive for those, just bring all of your unpacked instruments into Youth Arts Hall.ย Weโll start by getting to know each other before we rehearse!
You will find all the programmingย here, so please get listening to all of this material–especially the Holst and the Brahms!
Everyone is expected to know the Welcome Concert music before our first rehearsalย on Thursday, August 22, at 4:30 pm. Itโs not the easiest material, but it sure is fun! We will have a very busy fall with much more difficult music on the way, so letโs learn what we can right now.
Bedลich Smetana (1824-1864), “Dance of the Comedians” from The Bartered Bride
https://youtu.be/v12kE9NqngU?si=0XHrPI9jVSzi6cy1
Alan Menken/arr. Caleb Endres, “Under The Sea” from The Little Mermaid
Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978), “Lezginka” from the Gayane Suite
https://youtu.be/m18FR4or-UM?si=0Hxm3xMyqN62FMYp&t=1197
Since our Welcome Concert rehearsals start before seating auditions are completed, I have assigned parts for the orchestra using information from your spring auditions and your work last season. I will update future assignments based on your upcoming seating audition for the November the Play Your Part concert, the November 23 Rhapsodic Dances concert, and beyond. This week, please make sure you enter all orchestra dates on your personal and family calendars. Again, the detailed weekly schedule can be found both hereย and on the member page—I have also attached it to this email.
Please download your music and assignments by visiting theย Senior Symphony Member Pageย at myso.org to find everything you need right now for
Access it by logging in with:
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Username: mysomember | Password: myso2425
Senior Symphony Welcome Concert Rehearsals and Performances at MYAC
- Thursday, August 22, 4:30-6:00 pm
- Saturday, August 24, 1:00-2:30 pm
- Wednesday, August 28, 6:00-7:30 pm
- Thursday, September 5, 6:00-7:30 pm
- Monday, September 9, 5:30-8:45 pm: Welcome Concert for String Orchestra
5:30 pm โ Rehearsal
6:45 pm โ Performance
7:30-8:45 pm โ Full Rehearsal
- Thursday, September 12: Welcome Concert for Wind Ensemble Musicians
6:30 pm โ Report
7:00 pm Performance
Concert Dates:
- Saturday, November 9, 2024 โ Play Your Part Concert; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center; Performance time TBD
- Tuesday, November 19, 2024 โ Community Concert Day (Plan to be away from school and with the orchestra)
- Saturday, November 23, 2024 โConcert; Carroll University; 3:00 pm
- Saturday, February 22, 2025 โ Winter Concert; Bradley Symphony Center; 1:00 pm
- Sunday, May 4, 2025 โ Fanfare and Finale Concert; Bradley Symphony Center; 1:00 pm