What do GTCYS mentors do?
- Mentors actively participate in their mentored orchestra’s rehearsals and assist the conductor and rehearsal assistant as instructed.
- Upon arrival at rehearsal, mentors will check in with the conductor or rehearsal assistant to receive instructions.
- Depending on the evening’s rehearsal plan, conductors may assign mentors to perform a combination of the following duties:
- Play side-by-side in rehearsals with Philharmonia, Sinfonia, and Concerto-level orchestra students to demonstrate basics like posture, bow hold, tone, intonation, pulse, rhythm, watching the conductor, style, orchestral etiquette, etc. Mentors may also need to write/mark in bowings or fingerings.
- Demonstrate a specific passage for the orchestra by playing or clapping a part.
- Lead “mini-sectionals,” by working on a specific passage with small groups of students during rehearsal in the hallway or a break-out room.