Letter from Ms. Mary (10/21)

Hey Philharmonia!

Thanks for your work in sectionals this week. It was so fun to hear how much improvement there was when we got together at the end of rehearsal.  The two things that we continue to work on are 1) Keeping a steady tempo and 2) Knowing the pitches in the E minor scale.

Fall Festival is just around the corner!  We have three more rehearsals before we take the stage at Orchestra Hall.  For many of you, this will be your first time performing there.  It is such a fantastic performance venue! Let’s keep working hard and focusing in our rehearsals.  The pieces that we are performing at Fall Festival are Turbulence and Sword Dance.  Next week, we will spend some time on Accents as well as our Fall Festival repertoire.  Following our concert at Orchestra Hall, we have a concert on December 9th.  So much music, so much fun!

Two things for your individual practice at home: 

• Play an E minor scale with a minimum of 5 rhythm variations.  So many variations to choose from!
• In Turbulence, play measures 40 to the end at least 5 times. Are you listening for a steady beat?

I was so impressed with how many details you remembered from our Handel Storytime last week (think Hallelujah Chorus).  What do you know about any of our other composers? Can you find out three fun facts about the composer of Turbulence? Email your answers to mary@gtcys.org.

We will continue to count, clap and sing our rhythms.  Keeping a steady tempo is the key to sounding fantastic.  I will not ______________. _________________ is sad.  Say this before your practice anything!

Have a great week.  Work hard, play hard.