Symphony Rehearsal Details

This previous post is available for your reference:

Hello Symphony families,

We’re looking forward to making music with you at rehearsals! To prepare for the season, please review venue details, your orchestra’s carpool list, and more.

First Rehearsal Practice Focus

To prepare for your first rehearsal, Maestro Smith has specifically asked for students to focus on movements 1 & 2 of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3.

You can access your Dropbox and Part Assignments here.

Orchestra Hall Venue and Parking Details

Location & Building Entrance

• Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
• Students should enter the building at the Stage Door on the Marquette Ave side of the building, located between 11^th and 12^th streets.
• The Skyway entrance to Orchestra Hall is only available as an exit at the end of rehearsal, not an entrance.
  • After rehearsal, students may walk through the concert hall and lobby, then take the stairs to the skyway exit, which crosses over into the 2^nd level of the parking ramp.
  • Students can’t re-enter Orchestra Hall from the Skyway since the doors are locked from the outside.
• Orchestra Hall’s security attendant is at the Stage Door each night.
• Most rehearsals will take place on stage, though a few will be held in the building’s Target Atrium.

Parking

• Located right across the street from the Stage Door, the 11^th & Marquette Parking Ramp is the most convenient option. This ramp is free for time periods of 15 minutes or less. Parents/guardians can pull into the ramp to pick up their students at the conclusion of rehearsal. If they stay for longer than 15 minutes, the charge is $5-$6.
• Metered street parking is also available on surrounding streets.
• Please allow ample driving time for traffic.

Drop-Offs & Pick-Ups
For parents picking up students at the end of rehearsals, it is essential to plan and communicate where to meet so you can easily locate each other afterward.
You may use these areas for very quick pick-ups, space permitting (please don’t stop here for more than a few minutes!):

• 11^th Street curb cutout next to Orchestra Hall
• Marquette Avenue bus lane next to Orchestra Hall (just don’t block the bus shelter area)
• 12^th Street along the street near the loading dock (don’t block the loading dock entrance or park in the loading dock spots)
• Lastly, with the earlier sunsets, we encourage students to exit the building in groups and to use caution around traffic when crossing the street.

We’ll continue to adapt as needed and update families with any new recommendations. Thank you for your flexibility and support!
Parent Options

• On nights when Symphony rehearses on stage, Orchestra Hall will typically open the Work Room for parents. To access these rooms, enter through the Stage Door.
• Because of venue restrictions, parents aren’t allowed in the lobby or the concert hall.

Please know that these details are subject to change and may shift as the year progresses. We will also email reminders for nights when Symphony rehearses at a different location

Carpool List

Carpooling is a fun way to get to know other GTCYS families! Your orchestra’s carpool directory includes the contact information of families who opted in when enrolling for the 2026–27 season.

Fall Retreat Basics

Your Fall Retreat will take place on Sunday, September 20, from 11:00am–5:00pm at Ted Mann Concert Hall.

We’ll share more details soon!

Parent Volunteers Needed

We’re looking for volunteers to help our season launch run smoothly! There are a couple ways to get involved:

• Music Library Volunteers – Help print music, organize materials, and prepare folders for students

Click on the links above to sign up! If you’re interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities throughout the year, complete our volunteer interest form! 

Student Opportunities

GTCYS offers opportunities for students interested in diving deeper into their musical and personal development this year!

• Student Leadership Team: Members meet twice a month to share ideas, collaborate, practice and develop leadership skills, and provide feedback to GTCYS staff and conductors.
• Chamber Music Program: New this year, GTCYS will support student-formed groups with complementary professional coaching, repertoire guidance, and performance opportunities throughout the season. Students will form chamber ensembles from a list of interested musicians and schedule their own rehearsals outside of GTCYS.
• Student Volunteers: We have opportunities for students to help with rehearsal set-up, social media, public speaking at concerts, music library organization, and more!

Brass Seminar Update

Brass Seminar is discontinued this year. Instead of separate brass seminars, GTCYS is integrating more brass support into rehearsals, with additional sectionals, support from professional musicians, and more!

Questions?

• Review your orchestra’s welcome email from August 14.
• Find your Dropbox and your part assignments here.
• Bookmark Symphony’s member page. Here, you’ll find your orchestra’s calendar, student handbook, sheet music, and weekly announcements. The password is symphony26-27.
• Review and bookmark the Musician Handbook. This helpful resource will answer most of your questions!

We can’t wait to make music with you this year!