Letter from Diane (9/9)
September 9, 2025
Dear Camerata Con Brio,
Great work at our first rehearsal! Your tenacity as you sight read through four new pieces (Galante, Mozart, Dvorak and Bizet) tonight was really great to see, and it shows that you are ready for the challenges that this season will bring.
Thank goodness that I had Grayson take a photo of us, because the panoramic photo that I tried to take turned out like this: (sorry about that, Jonah!)
The first rehearsal of the year always includes a lot of set up, and your insight and participation as we talked about things like pro tips for tuning and how to sightread was right on target.
Speaking of sightreading, remember that:
The first rule of sightreading is: NEVER GIVE UP!
The second rule of sightreading is: Prioritize what is important
(In the case of sightreading, the rhythm is more important than the notes.)
These, by the way, are also good rules for life!
Here is your GTCYS 10
- Take a few minutes to listen to this recording of the first movement of Dvorak’s 9th Symphony and notice which instruments have the melodic lead (or dramatic moments, in the case of the timpani) Part of being a good musician is knowing whether your part leads the group or supports the leaders. How does your individual part function?
- Practice the Dvorak with attention to note and rhythmic accuracy.
- Work on the Mozart practicing your part SLOWLY so that your fingers (or slide or sticks) are even and accurate. Start in 4/4 time, and then if you feel ready, move to a slow cut time.
A few announcements:
- Percussion, please check out this information about our Percussion Seminars
- Brass, please check out this information about our Brass Seminars
- Our fall retreat is coming up! We expect all students to attend their retreats! Retreats are an important way to learn our music and build our GTCYS community. Complete an absence form if you’ll miss your retreat. Our retreat is on Sunday, September 21, 10:00am–3:00pm, Camp St. Croix, Hudson, WI
- Please remember to bring the nametag that was on your chair to rehearsal next week. It is really helpful as Grayson and I learn your names
- Visit our Camerata Con Brio member page for information throughout the year. The password is camerataconbrio25-26
Have a fantastic week, and always live your life CON BRIO!
Diane Hallberg
| CAMERATA CON BRIO–IMPORTANT DATES |
| Sun. Sept. 21 GTCYS Fall Retreat–Camp St. Croix 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| Tues. Oct. 7 First Semester Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Seating Auditions (during Regular rehearsal time) |
| Tues. Oct. 21 First Semester String Seating Auditions (during Regular rehearsal time) |
| Sat. Nov. 15 Fall Festival Performance–Orchestra Hall –10:30 am |
| Sat. Dec. 13 December Concert – Wayzata H.S. 3:00 pm |
| Tues. Jan. 6 First rehearsal of the second semester |
| Sat. Jan. 17 Winter Retreat – Roseville H.S., Time TBD |
| Tues. Jan. 27 Second Semester Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Seating Auditions (during Regular rehearsal time) |
| Tues. Feb. 10 Second Semester String Seating Auditions (during Regular rehearsal time) |
| Sun. March 8 Spring Concert with Light in the Well–Irondale H.S. 5:00 pm |
| Sat. April 25 Spring Concert with Ensembles – Roseville Area H.S. 10:30 am |
| Sat. May 9 Spring Festival – Orchestra Hall 2:20 pm |
Performances are bolded.
Please note that times listed are performance times. Students will need to arrive earlier for warm up and dress rehearsals.