Letter from Diane (4/21)

Dear Camerata Con Brio,

Think of how you’ve improved as we’ve learned “Ode to Childhood!” This piece is at the very top of our challenge level, and you have stretched and grown in so many ways. Your progress tonight was a result of your ability to FOCUS, and that is my challenge to you as we approach our performance on Saturday.

Consider some of the ways that this piece is challenging:

• It has unpredictable phrasing–often using an odd number of measures when you expect an even number
• It requires mastery of mature ranges in many instruments
• The first and last movements are at a very SLOW tempo, which requires air support, bow control and a steady and patient sense of internal pulse
• There are a lot of instances where the music is technically difficult and yet needs to be played very softly.
• The parts in this piece are fiercely independent and require players to execute rhythms that are different from the player sitting right next to them (even in divisi parts!)
• Bowings and articulations are tricky
• Entrances often seem to come out of nowhere.
• There are extended solo passages for several instruments (shout out bassoon and flute!)
• The scoring of this piece requires patience and focus when players are resting. (shout out percussionists!)
• This is a three-movement piece that demands 20 minutes of non-stop focus!

In other words, this is a really sophisticated piece.

As you prepare for our final performance on Saturday, use your GTCYS 10 to

• Focus on the spots that challenge you
• Focus on practicing counting rests (really!) before you enter
• Focus on practicing when and how to prepare your instrument before each entrance
• Focus on playing with a steady tempo–especially when entering after a rest
• Focus on any solo exposed moments that you have by giving them repetitions when you practice
• Focus on practicing with a metronome at the tempos we have marked

I am confident that with individual practice and a good pre-concert rehearsal on Saturday, that we will have a deeply meaningful performance of this work!

Here are the details for Saturday’s performance;

Saturday, April 25: CCB and Chamber Ensembles Concert

Roseville Area High School
Call time: 8:45 am
Concert at 10:30 am
Family Concert Attire (Bright solid-colored top and black pants or long skirts, black shoes)

Program:

Poupel: Ode to Childhood (All movements)
Dvorak: New World Symphony: First movement
Celebration

Okay! Keep living your life Con Brio, and I’ll see you on Saturday!