Letter from Ms. Mary (9/23)

Hey Philharmonia East,

Thanks for your work last night. We are improving in our pieces as well as the transitions in between them.  Thank you for your focus.

Last night we worked on another essential orchestral skill-watching! We shared reasons why we are in orchestra: friends, working together, having fun, learning new things, playing new pieces.  One of the most important skill sets in orchestra and a way to make any orchestra sound better and have more fun is to focus on watching. We need to listen to each other, but we also need to watch our section and the conductor.

We also spent a good deal of time on Turbulence.  Have you listened to a recording of this? Here is a recording that will surely energize you. Follow along with your music as you listen to it.

Do you remember the word, symbol and rhythm of the week? Please see me before rehearsal if you can tell me what these three things are.  Hint: two of them are in Turbulence while the other one is in Chins and Pins.

Next week will be our first sectional of the year.  We will divide into two groups: violins/violas and cello/bass.  We will be in sectionals for the first part of the rehearsal and then join together to review what we have learned in our sectionals.  Our focus repertoire for next week will be Turbulence and Sword Dance.  Please review the beginning measures of Turbulence before nest Tuesday (measures 1-17).

Lastly but perhaps most importantly-scales! We will continue to focus on scales, as they continue to show up in all of our pieces.  E Minor is what we spent a great deal of time on this week.  We will continue to warm up and review scales, as they help with everything we play!  The most effective way or Philharmonia to play with a resonant sound is to continue working on scales.

Have a great week.  Work hard, play hard.

Mary Sorlie