Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra (PYSO)

Notes from Mrs. Kubota (Wind Ensemble)

2009-10-23T15:52:00.000-07:00

Practice everything with more sensitivity and one or two dynamics lessthan marked this week.

Notes from Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

2009-10-23T15:45:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Catherine and Eden for making it to 1st Violin! Below are some places to look at for next rehearsal.

1st and 2nd Violins - Please work on "sweetening" your melodic lines in Circinus (m. 41 - 44) Also, in Santa at the Symphony m. 13 - 30, remember to lighten up your pizz.

Viola- Mr. Chu would like you to remember your "happy" brush strokes. Santa at the Symphony m. 2 - 4.

Celli- Here's a quote from Mr. Sweeney, "Use your metronome and subdivide everything!"

String Bass - Your coach would like you to always remember count, and watch the conductor. Please practice the transition from arco to pizz (m. 12-13) in Santa at the Symphony.

Also, please keep your ears open and listen for intonation.

Haiku Contest - A haiku is a poem with 3 lines. The first line has 5 syllables, the second has 7 syllables, and the third has 5 lines. Submit your haiku next rehearsal and the winner will receive a prize. Look at the attachment for ideas.

Notes from Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

2009-10-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

After observing your wonderful sectionals, here are some things to work on during the week...

1st and 2nd Violins practice "sweetening" the tone in Circinus. Remember not to attack the notes (especially on the E string), but rather lean in with lots of vibrato. Here's how to check if it's sweet enough. Play it for a parent and watch their body language. If they cringe, you still need to work on making it beautiful. Make them tear up because it's beautiful not because it hurts them!

Violas, you are so very musical! Now, if only you looked as good as you sound. I know..."ouch", but I'd like to see your scrolls up and not facing the ground. Make your teachers proud...if they say something at your next lesson about your wonderful new posture, I'll give you money. Scouts honor guys, don't try to trick me!

Celli and String Bass, you're intonation has improved immensely (now that we know how important it is to tune:). Now, we just have to figure out that rhythm thing. Metronomes are OK, but counting out loud, especially subdividing, is even better. There are moments when things move too quickly in Circinus, m. 45 - 48 (especially the sixteenth notes) that need attention. I will give a prize to the person who has the greatest exercise for steady rhythm.

Congratulations Jacqueline for making to the 2nd round for 1st Violin seating. Next week, we will find out who gets placed in 1st violin. Great job to all who have tried out!

Here's something to try for fun, works on cell phones - I checked:)

Phone Songs

All of the following songs may be played on a touch-tone phone. Commas are pauses, are eighth notes, and hyphens are held notes.
Deck The Halls

-9 6 3 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 6 2 -3 2 2 1 -2
-9 6 3 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 6 2 -3 2 2 1 -2
-2 3 6 2 -3 6 9 2 1 2 6 9 # 9 6 3 -3
-9 6 3 2 1 2 3 1 # # # # -9 6 3 2 -1

Notes from Mrs. Kubota (Wind Ensemble)

2009-10-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

Here's a reminder of some GREAT quotes from your sectionals this week:

Ask yourself...How long is that note? When does it end? Keep your fingers close to the keys to avoid "blurbs." Don't stop when you make a mistake, play through the phrase. Subdivide!

Low instruments, play out...everyone else, listen down.Brasses find your pitches by playing up the scale. Winds when playing legato let your tongue ride the air. Watch the conductor!

Bring your music jokes written down on a piece of paper and put them onMrs. Kubota's stand before rehearsal next week.

Notes from Mrs. Kubota (Wind Ensemble)

2009-10-08T17:15:00.001-07:00

Please number your music so we can reference specific measures moreeasily during rehearsal. Be sure you know how to count and play everyrhythm, especially on In the Bleak Midwinter.

Bring your favorite(clean) music joke with you to the next rehearsal.

Crusade http://www.alfred-music.com/player/AlfredConcertBand2006/24649/player.html?osCsid=a574da0be020e7464558dd16289d9b55

In the Bleak Midwinter http://www.alfred-music.com/player/TheDivineComedyRobertWSmithV1/bd00972/player.html

Black Forest Overture http://www.halleonard.com/audio/04001610.mp3

Notes from Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

2009-10-08T17:15:00.000-07:00

Here are some places to practice before next rehearsal.

1st and 2nd Violins - Circinus, slowly and accurately. Keep in mind the F naturals that were pretty out of tune.
Mrs. Scheidemantle had a great suggestion of holding a C while playing your notes. If you have a tuner, you should be able to do this.

Violas - Mr. Wetzel's "The Big Three" - point of contact, bow speed, and bow weight. Be aware of all three when you practice your Circinus. Also, try Mr. Chu's ideas for more "excitement" or phrasing in your music. If it's boring, there's something wrong!

Celli - I think Mr. Sweeney made his point regarding accurate tuning. Please bring your tuners and tune before rehearsal gets started. Also, did you try counting out loud while playing??? Try it, it's challenging!

String Bass - Mr. Pfiefer suggested a more "bouncy" spicatto bow stroke for the Santa at the Symphony. Try it out and see if you can control the speed and height of the bounces.

If you can tell me the composer of the Messiah's "Hallelujah Chorus", I'll give you a Symphony Bar at next rehearsal.

************************************

Notes from Mr. Taylor (PYSO)

2009-10-08T17:13:00.000-07:00

Winds and Percussion: Make sure you have all wind ensemble music. Work on Procession of the Nobles up to Tempo (112) with proper articulation.

Also Slavonic Dance No. 8 up to E up to Tempo (FAST) Strings: Work on Slavonic Dance No. 8 up to E up to Tempo (FAST)

Also: Begin to work on Ballet Music and Chrysanthemum

Notes from Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

2009-10-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

Another great rehearsal! We now sound like a 50 piece string orchestra, let's try to sound like a 100 person string orchestra! Here are some specific places to practice:

Small Overture: Even when you practice at home, please make sure that you play with dynamics. Make your parents cry...because it's so beautiful, NOT because it's so boring. Celli-pickup to m.9-16 practice with metronome at 140. Don't rush those eighth notes! Violas, please practice your melody at pickup to m. 17-32. Violas and 2nd Violins, make sure at m. 63-70 those eighth notes don't make people seasick. Phrase, phrase, phrase! 1st Violins be sure to hold your dotted quarter notes for the full length at the beginning to m.8.

Santa at the Symphony: Everyone, practice the lift and set at the beginning "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik", I will test individuals at the next rehearsal. 1st Violins, your "Silent Night" at m. 44. Make sure it sounds like the Christmas carol, because everyone's supposed to recognize it. String bass, I really need a confident downbeat at m. 13, please practice m.11-14. Celli, at m. 18 and 26, there's a treacherous pizz. to arco section.

Please also practice Circinus, Hallelujah, and Mozart.
Congratulations to Eden who made it to the next round in becoming a 1st violin.

Notes from Mr. Taylor (PYSO)

2009-09-23T18:33:00.000-07:00

Winds and Percussion: Make sure you have all wind ensemble music.
Work on Procession of the Nobles up to Tempo (112) with proper articulation.
Also Slavonic Dance No. 8 up to E up to Tempo (FAST)

Strings: Work on Slavonic Dance No. 8 up to E up to Tempo (FAST)

Also: Begin to work on Ballet Music and Chrysanthemum

Violins will begin seat auditions on Procession of the Nobles this Tuesday (Sept. 29th)

Attention PYSO Alumni:

2009-08-05T23:35:00.000-07:00

We are going back 38 years to find lost friends and all of musicians who once played in the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra to be part of “The Great Reunion.”

Please help us get the word out! Join our official PYSO Alumni Association Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113159476972&ref=nf

Notes from Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

2009-04-29T15:34:00.000-07:00

See you next Season!!

Notes from Mr. Taylor (PYSO)

2009-04-15T14:17:00.000-07:00

Reminder - Make sure your dress clothes still fit!

6, 7, & 8th graders - Get audition materials turned in. Auditions are in May.

Notes from Ms. Kubota and Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

2009-04-15T14:15:00.002-07:00

Brandenburg - Practice with metronome and DYNAMICS.
Cellos and Bass - Whenever there is a quarter note then a quarter rest, hold for full value!

Black Sea - Pizzicato section should be memorized with dynamics!

Bio Rhythms - Practice going between pizzicato notes and body percussion.

Notes from Mr. Taylor (PYSO)

2009-03-31T23:20:00.000-07:00

Find your favorite recording and listen to the style of music they play. Before you start playing a piece, ask yourself what style it is. Is it baroque? Romantic? This will help you interpret and understand music in more depth, and make you a better musician!

Have a wonderful Spring Break!

Notes from Ms. Kubota and Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

2009-03-31T23:19:00.000-07:00

Practice sight reading. Ask your teacher for music to sight read!

Download the music for your PYSO or PYMO audition!

Notes from Dr. Aguilar (Wind Ensemble)

2009-03-31T23:18:00.000-07:00

Please practice your music, especially Simple Gifts and Novo Lenio!

Have a great Spring Break!

Notes from Mr. Taylor (PYSO)

2009-03-24T22:03:00.000-07:00

We will be on stage next week to rehearse the choreographed Mahler.

Practice Russian Sailor's Dance from measure 12 to the end.

Notes from Ms. Kubota and Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

2009-03-24T22:01:00.001-07:00

In the 2nd half of the Brandenburg, remember to focus on intonation!

1st Violins: Practice measures 30-32 and 47-56

Cellos: measures 51-52 and 91-92

2nd Violins: measures 48-52

Violas: measures 42 and 50-51

Notes from Dr. Aguilar (Wind Ensemble)

2009-03-24T21:59:00.000-07:00

Trumpets - don't forget your bucket and drumstick for Novo Lenio.

Spread the word about the Wind Ensemble to your friends at school!

Dr. Aguilar's contact information: vramuzik@yahoo.com

Notes from Dr. Aguilar

2009-03-18T00:07:00.000-07:00

Practice Simple Gifts, movements 3 and 4.

Practice Amparito Roca.

Dr. Aguilar's contact information: vramuzik@yahoo.com

Notes from Mr. Taylor (PYSO)

2009-03-18T00:03:00.000-07:00

Applications for PYSO next year will be available by the week's end!

9th graders - start thinking about auditioning for PYMO next year. For more information: http://www.pymo.org

Next week, be prepared to play the entire Mahler by memory.

Notes from Ms. Kubota and Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

2009-03-17T23:53:00.000-07:00

Brandenburg - practice second half.

Remember intonation in Harry Potter, especially measures 50-80.

Practice rhythms and rests at the end of Fables.

2009-03-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

PYSO String Orchestra coaches Leo Kitajima and Ryan Sweeney. The coaches give one- on-one time with the students focusing on certain sections of their music and having fun while doing it.

Notes from Ms. Kubota and Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

2009-03-13T22:05:00.000-07:00

Practice with a metronome for the pizzicato section in the Black Sea.

Remember intonation in the 2nd half of the Brandenburg, starting at measure 25.

Notes from Mr. Taylor (PYSO)

2009-03-13T21:11:00.000-07:00

Work on Star Wars Princess Leia Movement #4.