Letter from Jack (12/8)

Dear Concert Orchestra,

It’s a busy time of year! Hopefully you have all stayed safe and warm with all of the weather we experienced this week.

Our Concert is this Sunday! It will be a short performance, though one packed to the brim with great music and fine musicianship. I’m so proud of each and every one of you for tackling such a difficult program this early in the year.

You all know which aspects of our repertoire are still in need of your time and attention this week. Especially if you weren’t able to make it to rehearsal this week, please review the following:

Troika: Mastery of all notes and rhythms, and clarity of articulation
Walton: Pulse and clarity of articulation

Also take time to review Still and Elgar, which will open our program on Sunday.

Looking ahead to our next rehearsal in JANUARY:

You should have received two new pieces. Please make a plan to see Maria after the concert to receive your music if you haven’t yet. You’ll want to listen to both pieces (ESPECIALLY Overture for the End of a Century) and start to get them under your fingers over break. We won’t sight read either of these pieces- we’ll jump right into rehearsal in January. You’ll want to be ready to go!

Here are some recordings you might find helpful:

Larsen: Overture to the end of a Century 

Beethoven: Symphony 7 Movement II, Allegretto  (skip to 13:28 to hear the movement we will play) 

Additionally, we are still looking for outgoing, positive orchestra members to help welcome new students to GTCYS at our first rehearsal in January. If you are interested in this opportunity, we ask that you sign up by Monday, December 15.

I can’t wait to make music with you Sunday. See you then!