Letter from Dan (9/29)

Dear Concertino West,

It was great seeing you all this week! We had a very productive rehearsal by focusing on tone quality, intonation, rhythm, and ensemble. I want to give a big shout out to our parent volunteers who organized our treat night!

Rehearsal Recap

We started rehearsal with the C major scale where we practiced dynamics, fermatas, cut-offs, and following the conductor. You all did awesome! During rehearsal, we worked on:

• Beethoven: opening section (fermatas!) and the trio section (counting and staying together)
• Johnny Comes March Home: We learned that this piece is in the form of Theme and Variations… and the flutes have a special surprise at Rehearsal 13!
• Russian Sailor’s Dance: We learned how to read some confusing symbols in the music including the “repeat measure” sign and the difference between the number of slashes in the notes.

Seating Auditions

You should have received an email with seating audition material on Monday. You’ll also receive a handout next week with this information and you can find a link at the top of our member page (password: concertinowest25-26). Remember, auditions are a chance to practice your skills. Your placement in the orchestra doesn’t reflect your value as a Concertino West musician. Here are the details:

• Woodwinds and Brass – October 13, during sectionals
• Strings – October 27, during rehearsal

GTCYS10 for this Week

• Beethoven 5
  • Review the Trio section
• Russian Sailor’s Dance
  • Review everything we’ve worked on so far by playing along with the practice recording at the top of the member page
  • Practice Rehearsal 10-end using some of the concepts we learned this week
• Debussy
  • Continue to review the B Section (27-51) with metronome set at Quarter = 60
• Johnny Comes Marching Home: We are playing in this “in 2”
  • Practice 13-end (Variation 4)

See you next week!

Dan