Letter from Diane (1/13)

Jan. 13, 2026

Hey Camerata Con Brio,

Good work in sectionals tonight.  Strings, it was great to dig into the Shorey “Grieving Dreams…” piece. The work we did will be foundational as we add our winds and percussion. I had hoped to get a bit farther on the Poupel piece, but we will get back to that on Saturday during our retreat. Winds and percussion, thank you for your work with your sectional coaches. I’m looking forward to putting things back together at our next rehearsal.

We had a “moment of truth” in our strings rehearsal tonight.  When I asked for a show of hands of how many people had practiced the Poupel, only a small scattering of hands went up. I am here to tell you that we are going to need to do better if we want to achieve excellence. The music in our folder right now is far from easy and we simply won’t be able to master it without individual practice from each one of you. Please take your commitment to our orchestra seriously and put in the time.  We ask for the GTCYS 10–meaning that you devote at least 10 minutes of your practice each day to your GTCYS music. Let’s make a commitment to do at least that–with the understanding that you can always do more!

With that in mind, here is your GTCYS 10 for this week

• All–Please take a few minutes to listen to this recording of “Grieving Dreams and Celebrating Life” following your part as you go along.  If you are going to play a part that you have not received yet, please listen anyway.  I will have all parts ready on Saturday. Note how this piece is written in a music style called Minimalism.  This kind of music makes maximal use out of minimal material by repeating patterns of rhythms, notes and harmonies

• Strings and harp–please focus your practice on “Grieving Dreams” and movements 2 and 3 of the Poupel’s “Ode to Childhood.”  With your remaining time, identify challenge spots in “Pirates” and go after them!

• Winds–practice the music for your seating auditions.  Find those excerpts here. Use any additional time to work on “Ode to Childhood” and challenge spots on “Pirates”

• Percussion–now that you have parts assigned (thank you for doing this tonight) practice “Pirates” and your parts to “Grieving Dreams”

I’m excited for our retreat on Saturday and can’t wait for you to meet Wu from Light in the Well.  She will be able to shed some light on what it is like to be a music therapist and how she finds joy in working with people with disabilities.  We will rehearse, have sectionals, each lunch together and have some fun as well. I’m bringing the trophy–so be ready for some challenges!

Here are the details:
Camerata Con Brio Winter Retreat
Saturday, January 17
Roseville Area High School
Arrive at 8:15.  We will be done at 1:00
If you cannot come, please fill out the absence form

See you on Saturday.  Until then, always live your life CON BRIO!