Before I jump into the reviews, I just wanted to let you all know that we will NOT be having rehearsal this coming Monday, February 20th due to President’s Day. We will resume rehearsals on Monday, February 27th.
Look below to find out what we did in each orchestra!
Beginning Orchestra
- Royal Promenade — We first reviewed each section’s “pattern,” which is found between measure 5 and measure 21. We then learned the middle section, from measure 21 to 29. After that, the piece repeats itself from the beginning, with a few changes near the end. You should be able to practice the whole thing now!
- The Salamander Samba — This week, we reviewed the music we already know and then the violins briefly learned the music at letter C. After that, it is just like the beginning, so we actually played the whole thing! So you can also practice this piece in its entirety now.
- Mythos — This week, we tried to learn the music from the beginning until measure 15. Please practice at least that much, but if you could practice until measure 31 that would be great!
- We did not practice William Tell this week — I swear we will get to it! I wanted to get the practice videos done first, which I will post by this weekend.
Intermediate Orchestra
- Dragonhunter — This is sounding really good so far! This week, we practiced all the way to measure 38. It’s a little rough in there, but getting there! This week, practice at least to measure 38, but you could also learn the pizzicato section from 38 to 56. 1st Violins, you should definitely check out the pizzicato section this week, since your pizzicato part is the hardest!
- Funky Fiddles — This week, we reviewed the music we have learned already, up until measure 41. I then quickly went over each part from measure 41 until measure 49 — try to make sure to practice this section this week. If you are having a hard time playing two notes at a time, just learn the one that moves — 2nd violins and violas, that will be the bottom note for you. 1st violins, it alternates between the bottom note and the top note for you.
- Raindrop Serenade — We played through this one, but didn’t have a ton of time to work on it. The end is a little different than I thought, so be sure to practice from 29 until the end.
- We did not practice William Tell this week — I swear we will get to it! I wanted to get the practice videos done first, which I will post by this weekend.
Advanced Orchestra
- Dramatic Essay — We started with this since we didn’t get to it last week. We learned the middle fast section this week, from measure 15 to 43. We very quickly tried to go through to the end (because it’s a lot of the same), but there are some differences. Try to practice the whole thing this week!
- William Tell — I keep making sure to practice this one because you all are scared of it for some reason! It’s honestly sounding really good. I picked some small groups to do the “soli” at letter E and letter L, so if you aren’t in those groups you don’t need to practice those parts. Everyone joins in again when it says “tutti”. This week, we learned the music in letters G and H. After that, it repeats the themes from the beginning, so now all we need to learn is letter N until the end. I’m working on the practice videos now and will have them posted by this weekend.
- Mantras — We tried to play through measure 24, although it’s a little rough for now. Please try to practice until measure 52 this week — there is one new section, but then it’s like the beginning again.
- Storm — Storm is tough because my conducting in 2 is confusing all of you, but it’s still confusing when I conduct it in 4! It’s just a really quick piece. You should be able to practice the whole thing now — the only section that is completely new is between 63 and 71, and then it brings back the themes from the beginning.
Happy practicing everyone, and I’ll see you on February 27th!