Letter from Dan (10/27)

Dear Concertino West,

Thanks for a great rehearsal last night! Also, congratulations to string section members for completing their seating auditions. I’ll share results with you at our next rehearsal and hand back your feedback sheets. Remember, auditions are a chance to practice your skills and your placement in the orchestra doesn’t reflect your value as a Concertino West musician.

What we did in rehearsal this week

This week in rehearsal, we worked on the tempo changes in Russian Sailor’s Dance. We learned that success happens when everyone anticipates and looks up two measures before the change! We used slow practice in the trio section of Beethoven and slowly worked it back up to performance speed. We ended rehearsal by working on the Waltz and making sure we were playing with accurate rhythm.

Practice assignment (GTCYS10) for this week

Our GTCYS10 is this week is mostly the same as last week! The goal is to play through Fall Festival pieces and look ahead so you aren’t surprised with what’s coming up.

• Beethoven 5 (Fall Festival Piece)
  • Play through two times with the recording before our next rehearsal.
  • Identify three spots to improve and practice using the “5x perfect” technique – play chosen spot correctly five times in a row before moving on.
  • Tip: Count carefully in the Trio section to make accurate entrances
• Russian Sailor’s Dance (Fall Festival Piece)
  • Play through two times with the recording before our next rehearsal.
  • Identify three spots to improve and practice using the “5x perfect” technique.
  • Tip: Keep the notes from touching (play separate!) during the prestissimo section. Only the slurred notes should connect.
• Waltz
  • Work on the key change section: measures 69-89
  • Tip: Write in key signature notes. This is a tricky key for 20 measures!
• Johnny Comes Marching Home
  • Continue to review this piece.
  • Tip: Remember, rests are just as important as notes!

Have a great week!

Dan