Wonderful playing at the first rehearsal! I'm very excited to start this ambitious group of students.
A couple of reminders, please make sure to bring a folding stand, your music folder (hopefully with all your music inside:), and pencil each week. I would like to start at 5:45, so please be in your seats ready to go at 5:30pm. If you have any viola or bass friends, who would like to be a part of this orchestra, please contact Greg Fuentes at GFuentes@pasadenasymphony-pops.org
Common remarks by students....
"I had so much fun!"
"That music is too easy"
"I'm not sitting in the right place, I should be in the front"
Think about this...
We have all heard that performing and listening to music is commonly known to increase students math, science and language grades. The College Board, who produce the SATs, quotes, " Music students score higher on SATs". However, who said that music can't be fun? The majority of students who start in String Orchestra go on to the Symphony Orchestra. The section leaders and the concert master, who will lead PYSO in Vienna, all started their training in String Orchestra.
String Orchestra is made of almost entirely new students each year. In order to accurately judge how talented the group is, I choose a piece that will be playable through the first run through. Playing the notes is NOT making music. Monkeys could be taught to do this. What makes each ensemble unique is the QUALITY of sound. No student should claim to play all the notes accurately and in tune. I was there. The group has huge potential to become a wonderful orchestra. I was very pleased with the level of response from the students from answering questions, to performing with enormous tone.
String Orchestra is an "honors" orchestra. The majority of musicians that passed the audition are leaders in their schools. Most students have studied for many years with a private teacher in addition to their school music programs. We are talking about the best of the best! I will be rotating the students to hear the students. In addition, our amazing sectional coaches; Pin Chen, Orchestra Conductor of Arcadia High School, Alex Chu, viola coach extraordinaire, Ryan Sweeney, professional cellist, on the roster of the Pasadena Symphony as well as the LA Philharmonic, and Stephen Phiffer, professional string bass and a member of LA Phil's Teaching Artist Faculty.
Attitude
A great attitude is priceless.
Please communicate with me regarding any questions or concerns you have. I'm looking forward to this year with String Orchestra.
Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra
The Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra has continually offered robust musical training and personal development for young musicians throughout the San Gabriel Valley for over 40 years (1972). PYSO is considered among the best youth orchestras in the Southland. The PYSO is comprised of middle school students from grades six through nine. These committed young people receive advanced instruction and challenging music opportunities through a rigorous program that emphasizes ensemble playing. Members of the PYSO have performed throughout the world, including venues in Vienna, New York’s Carnegie Hall, the ASTA Conference and Competition in Santa Clara and many others. Last season, the PYSO appeared in concert with the United States Air Force Academy Band, Blue Steel at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. Members of PYSO have also had many opportunities for additional performances outside the full orchestra program such chamber music at Pasadena Symphony concerts and a special guest appearance on Fox’s TV sensation, Glee. PYSO falls under the auspices of the Pasadena Symphony Association and often interacts with Pasadena Symphony and POPS conductors, guest artists, musicians and staff.
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Pasadena Symphony Association
The mission of The Pasadena Symphony Association is to provide orchestral performances of the highest quality and to benefit the community through its music, outreach, and education programs. (Click on Picture for Link)
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