Dear Senior Symphony,
I hope you have had a wonderful day. You are such a wonderful group of smart, impressive, and nice people.ย Thank you so muchย for all you have done as we move together into the new season at MYSO. Please read to the bottom of this email as it contains so much of what youโll need to stay on top of your experience this fall.
The start of each year is a time to celebrate and to feel a sense of joy, anticipation, and accomplishment. As we begin, remember that the Senior Symphony is an experience weโll create together.ย Itโs an ongoing gift we will give to each other each week and which weโll share with others, too–all made possible through our talent, preparation, good spirit, energy, and the care we give to each other.
I have been so happy to hear you play and to have had the opportunity to visit with each of you over the past weeks!ย Thank youย for the time and effort you have invested in performing all the audition material I assigned, and to advancing in the study of your instruments, too. What a great orchestra you are! The first three rehearsals haveย been excellent, and I know the Wind Ensemble and String Orchestra students are going to LOVE you next week when we play for them at the two Welcome Concerts.
The Welcome Concerts are intended for the students in Wind Ensemble and String Orchestra.ย Parents and family members shouldnโt plan to attend these due to the lack of audience room in Youth Arts Hall—though I wonโt keep you from loitering nearby or sneaking in ๐ย The orchestra sounds terrific!ย We will not wear concert dress, just look nice–no shorts though, please.ย I will also prepare some brief remarks for a couple of you to read, too.
ASSIGNMENTS, CONCERTS, SCHEDULES
Please find your part assignments on theย Senior Symphony Member Page.ย Assignments have been made through the November 23, 2024, fall concert, โRhapsodic Dances.โย There were many very impressive auditions, and it was truly wonderful to hear each of you and to visit briefly with you, too. You will notice that there is a little rotation between sections, within section leadership, and among those who have the responsibility to perform principal and concertmaster positions.ย This is a complex design that has served members and the orchestra very well.ย I am happy to discuss all this with you as questions or concerns come up.
While you will receive printed music this Thursday evening at rehearsal, you can also find PDFs and assignments to download, and sample recordings on theย Senior Symphony Member Pageย atย myso.org.ย Remember to scroll down a bit to see all thatโs listed-thereโs a bunch! All of the music for the fall concerts is on theย Member Page now.
Listen! Over the next few days, please listen to all the repertoire—it needs to get into your ears and memory. Programs and recordings are also on the Member Page.
Senior Symphony Welcome Concerts and Rehearsals at MYAC
Thursday, September 5, 6:00-7:30 pm
Monday, September 9, 5:30-8:45 pm:ย Welcome Concert for String Orchestra
- 5:30 pm – Rehearsal Begins
- 6:15 pm –ย Review of Welcome Concert Material
- 6:40 pmย – String Musicians escort String Orchestra kids to Youth Arts Hall
- 6:45pm โ Performance
- 7:30 pm – Brahms/Schoenberg, Piano Quartet Mvt 1
- 8:15 pm – Holst, Ballet Music
- 8:45 pm – Rehearsal End
Thursday, September 12: Welcome Concert for Wind Ensemble Musicians
- 6:30 pm โ Report
- 7:00 pm Performance
- 7:20 pm – Set up/Strike Chairs
- 7:30 pm-ish – Orchestra Finish
- Monday, September 16
- 5:20 pm – Report
- 5:30 pm –ย Sectionals
- 6:30 pmย – Break
- 6:45ย pmย –ย Brahms/Schoenberg, Mvt 1
- 7:45ย pm – Break
- 8:00 pm – Brahms/Schoenberg, Mvt 3
- 8:30ย pm – Holst
- 8:45 pm –ย Rehearsal End
REPERTOIRE
Welcome Concerts at MYAC
Aram Khachaturian 1903-1978, “Lezginka” from theย Gayaneย Suite,ย 3โ
Alan Menken/arr. Caleb Endres, “Under The Sea” fromย The Little Mermaid, 4โ
Bedลich Smetana 1824-1864, “Dance of the Comedians” fromย The Bartered Bride, 6โ
Play Your Part
Senior Symphony Performance at 12:15 pm
Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Brookfield
Bedลich Smetana 1824-1864, “Dance of the Comedians” fromย The Bartered Bride, 6โ
Johannes Brahmsย 1833-1897/Orch. Arnold Schรถnberg 1874-1951, Klavierquartett g-Moll op. 25 fรผr Orchester,ย 11โ
ย ย ย ย ย ย III. Andante con moto
John Williamsย 1932-, “Across the Stars” fromย Attack of the Clones,ย 6โ
Aram Khachaturian 1903-1978, “Lezginka” from theย Gayaneย Suite, 3โ
Rhapsodic Dances
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Shattuck Auditorium, Carroll University
Bedลich Smetana 1824-1864, “Dance of the Comedians” fromย The Bartered Bride, 6โ
Antonin Dvorรกkย 1841-1904,ย Slavonicย Dance op. 72, Nr. 2, 5′
Gustav Holstย 1874-1934, Ballet from The Perfect Fool,ย 12โ
Intermission
Johannes Brahmsย 1833-1897/Orch. Arnold Schรถnberg 1874-1951, Klavierquartett g-Moll op. 25 fรผr Orchester,ย 45โ
I. Allegro
II. Intermezzo. Allegro ma non troppo
III. Andante con moto
IV. Rondo alla zingarese. Presto
Thanks very much, Senior Symphony.ย And all our thanks to family and teachers, too. You have my very best wishes as you begin your busy academic year and our spectacular season!
Respectfully,
Carter
Carter Simmons, Artistic and Music Director