Letter from Maestro Smith (9/14)

Another excellent rehearsal!  Thanks to each and every one of you for your commitment to our major project for the year.

One big takeaway — Mahler expects us to be able to play with great character and with great conviction whether we are in C major, Bb minor or Gb major.  This requires individual practice and a commitment to be just as comfortable in Gb major as we are in C major.  The musical gestures are the same —the positions and fingerings are not.  This is one of the big challenges — to not let the many technical demands get in the way of communicating the dramatic intent of the music.  I know that this is much easier said than done…

I am very much looking forward to Sunday’s retreat.  We have such a nice mix of brand new students and “old” experienced GTCYS students, so let’s be intentional about getting to know each other on Sunday.  We will work hard on the music, to be sure, but will also have time to mingle..

See you on Sunday — MRS