Letter from Ms. Mary (3/16)

Hey Philharmonia West,

Nice rehearsal this week. We were able to target some very specific passages in our repertoire, as well as get started on Jupiter.  Each week, we will take small portions of Jupiter, as we prepare this for Spring Festival.  This piece needs to be memorized. I know this is a difficult piece, and learning and working on flats can sometimes be frustrating.  But in Philharmonia, WE CAN DO HARD THINGS!

Here is the listening link for Jupiter.  This is a video from a GTCYS performance at Orchestra Hall. You will notice that musicians are not using music.  This is an amazing GTYCS tradition and I know that you will enjoy the performance of it.  Listen, watch, and play along with the video.

Before our next rehearsal, I would ask that each student review the following passages:

• An African American Air; measures 28-45.  This is very legato, but always needs to be steady and rhythmic.
• Die Meistersingers: beginning letter C.  Bowings are not optional! Please watch the lift bows. Full bows on the quarter notes and stay at the frog for the shorter notes and lift bows.
• Jupiter: listen, listen, listen to this! Review the first 4 measures.

Question of the week: What is your favorite genre of music? Send those replies to mary@gtcys.org. Keep putting those jokes in the suggestion box, as well as any ideas you might have to make our rehearsals even more awesome.

I hope that you have a wonderful week, one that is filled with lots of music and fun.