Letter from Maestro Smith (3/30)

Thank you all for your incredible focus and hard work last night — it was much-needed.  Things are shaping up well, BUT we need to make the following important change of plan.

I had originally planned to have our second Mahler reading rehearsal be Monday April 6 BUT THIS IS NOW MOVED TO MONDAY APRIL 20.

Next Monday April 6 will be a full rehearsal of all repertoire for the April 19 concert — no Mahler.  Harp and Saxophone will be needed.

Because we will once again conclude the rehearsal with Abels Delights and Dances, all non-strings will be released early — probably between 35 – 45 minutes early.  Strings (obviously) will rehearse until the usual 9:15.

Thank you for your careful attention to this change.  Please hold on (carefully) to your Mahler parts until we read it together on April 20.  At that time, we will focus on movements 1 and 6 only.

Meanwhile, please keep your focus on those things we worked on last night — bold, vivid and contrasting dynamics, and PITCH.  Woodwinds and horns — the intonation journey never ends, so please remain vigilant and work with a tuner, and then with each other to get those soft unison passages sounding in tune.  It is very mature, virtuosic stuff, but we showed last night that it is achievable.

Thanks one and all — see you next Monday — MRS