Hello, Senior Symphony-We’ll Have A Great Week Together!

Dear Senior Symphony,

I am very happy that we will see one another this week, during your audition and then when the full orchestra rehearses for the first time. Thank you for the years of dedication you have devoted to becoming such fine musicians. I am very proud of you!

By now, our orchestra’s activities should be in your family and personal calendars. Would you please take 5-10 minutes now to review and communicate your Senior Symphony Attendance Plan? Thank you!

Please also review the reminder just below about how our audition time will flow. You can bring your own copy of the assigned excerpts to both the audition and the rehearsals. Though I’ll have a copy available, you’ll probably want your own which includes your personal markings. Also, I can provide a metronome for the excerpts, but feel free to use your own if that helps you feel more comfortable.

I know auditioning makes our minds and bodies react differently than usual. Please know I’m your friend and teacher through all of this, and I’m genuinely supporting you no matter what. It’s true. Give some attention to how your mind and body react while you play—that’s valuable information to reflect on and talk through later, especially before your next audition, speech, meeting, or exam. A suggestion for now: perform some “mock” auditions before the real one. Maybe record yourself, too. Running through the whole process in order, even visualizing it, will help your preparation for success.

Senior Symphony Seating Auditions will consist of 5 components, in this order:

Brief greeting

Solo. 2-3 minutes. Your choice should demonstrate your best knowledge, abilities, and strengths.

Excerpts 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.

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.

Short conversation about this season!

Special Notes:

· Concertmasters, Principals, and Section Leadership: I have been receiving your notes and requests for interview times…keep those coming and thank you for considering helping the orchestra in this way. (See below for the info again))

· 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 Director 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? Email Marna Bestul.

· Bassoonists: Email Marna Bestul if you are interested in playing (or learning) contra bassoon this season.

· Trumpet 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: if you would like to play piano in any of our pieces this season, email Marna Bestul and me at cartersimmons@myso.org.

Rehearsal Activity:

Thursday, August 20, 4:30-6:00pm

4:30 Meeting the Orchestra

Flight to Neverland

America, The Beautiful

Pirates of The Caribbean

Final Remarks

6:00 Rehearsal End

Saturday, August 22, 1:00-2:30pm

1:00 Conversation

America, The Beautiful

Flight to Neverland

Pirates of The Caribbean

Final Remarks

2:30 Rehearsal End

Remember that music and assignments were shared on August 6th which you should have prepared before rehearsal this week. Please visit the Senior Symphony Member Page at myso.org if you need music and assignments.

Access the page by logging in with:

Username: mysomember

Password: myso2627

Welcome Concerts Thursday, September 10 and Monday, September 14

John Williams (b. 1932) The Flight to Neverland

Poem: Katharine Lee Bates (1859–1929) | Music, Samuel A. Ward (1848–1903) | Arrangement, Carmen Dragon (1914-1984) America, The Beautiful

Klaus Badelt (b. 1967) | Arr. Ted Ricketts Pirates of The Caribbean

Festival of the Spheres

Sunday, November 15 at Carroll University

Claude Debussy (1862-1918), Fêtes, Festivals) from Nocturnes 6’

Lili Boulanger (1893-1918), D’un Matin de printemps 5’

John Williams (b. 1932), Close Encounters of the Third Kind 8’

Gustav Holst (1874-1934), The Planets, Op. 32 45’

All the best to you!

Yours,

Carter