Notes from Mrs. Chen (String Orchestra)

Watch/listen to the following recordings to capture the character of the pieces:


Spanish Rhapsody: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFF8l--PhHQ

William Tell Overture: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIbYCOiETx0

Jupiter (I Vow To Thee My Country)--main theme starts at 3'20": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymHAxaFrE_M

Thank you!

Notes from Mrs. Chen (String Orchestra)

String Orchestra!
Everyone should be practicing PYSO - String Orchestra music AT LEAST 4 days a week and WITH A METRONOME!

As you practice, mark sections that are difficult for you so that you can go over those sections with your private teacher.

The music we're is difficult and challenging, but that's the point!

We only have 2 rehearsals left before the concert...each individual must do their part to make the group successful! We can do it!!

Seating will be announced on Tuesday and it is important for every musician to be at the next rehearsal.



Thanks!

Pin Chen

Greg Fuentes | PYSO Coordinator | Spring Break

PYSO – Symphony, String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble will be on Spring Break – April 2 - 6, 2012. *** NO REHEARSAL. ***

Next Rehearsal will be on April 10, 2012.

Greg Fuentes | PYSO Coordinator

The 2012-2013 application for the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra is now live! If you or someone you know is looking for a life-changing musical experience, just click here to fill out an online application for an audition.

http://www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org/education-and-community/pasadena-youth-symphony-orchestra/pyso-auditions/

PYSO offers:

• Three outstanding ensembles: Symphony, String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble
• Exceptional Artistic Leadership
• Professional Musicians as sectional coaches
• Opportunities for students to play for guest conductors of the Pasadena Symphony.
• Visits to Pasadena Symphony rehearsals
• Reduced ticket prices to Pasadena Symphony and POPS concerts
• Recent tour destinations include California, Colorado, Austria, and Czech Republic
• Additional performance opportunities outside of PYSO season. Past performances in¬clude sidelining for Fox’s Glee, LA Opera youth orchestra, chamber music at special events, and solo recitals.

Greg Fuentes | PYSO Coordinator

PYSO Reminder:

There will be NO Rehearsal on February 14, 2012 for Symphony, String Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. (All Three PYSO Groups)

Enjoy the day off and Happy Valentine’s Day!

The next rehearsal will be on February 21, 2012 at your regular times.

Greg Fuentes | PYSO Coordinator

String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble,

Re: Big Bear Weekend Information Sheet and Polo Shirt.

Next Tuesday’s rehearsal, Feb. 7th, is very important and mandatory. Sometime during the rehearsal, the musicians will be given a detail information sheet and their polo shirt.

The information sheet will have all of the details of times for drop-off and pick-up for the weekend. Also, on the sheet will be the location information for the concert on Sunday, in Lake Arrowhead. Concert is free and open to the public.

The polo shirt provided to the musician’s MUST be packed in their luggage and is required for our dress code for Saturday. All musicians will be wearing there group shirts for Saturday.

Greg Fuentes | PYSO Coordinator

Musical Circus

January 22, 2012
Featuring: Richard Bernard and Friends

The Americana at Brand
889 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210-1555
1:00 pm-2:30 pm

The Pasadena Symphony Association’s Musical Circus is a perennial favorite for children 3-8 years of age. The popular family program, which reaches some 5,000 children and their families yearly from around Southern California, is at The Americana at Brand in Glendale, California.

The Circus begins with the instrument “petting zoo” where youngsters can toot flutes, blow trumpets, pluck violins and cellos and bang on percussion instruments.

The Musical Circus is free, so bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun music making!

Greg Fuentes | PYSO Coordinator

Hello PYSO Family Members,

Welcome Back and Happy New Year!

“What the New Year brings to us will greatly depend on what we bring in to the new year. Let’s all start anew with lots of positivity, motivation and great music. A great 2012 to all of us! Cheers!”


Our 1st rehearsal is next Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at your regular time.

Greg Fuentes | PYSO Coordinator

Dear PYSO Family Members,

Thank you for great Winter Concert and have a Wonderful PYSO Winter Break! (No rehearsal until January 10th 2012)

We hope you and your family have a cheerful holiday season and may the New Year be prosperous. As we welcome another year, may it come with a spirit to fulfill all the desires and with a determination to achieve the goal of our life.

Our first rehearsal for 2012 is on January 10th at your regular time.

Please go to your regular rehearsal location. There will be NO Sectionals for this rehearsal.

Greg Fuentes | PYSO Coordinator

Pre-bidding is now live for our Silent Auction fund raiser for the Pasadena Youth Symphony. Please see the link for items and rules for participation. live bidding will take place on Tuesday, December 6 at 5:30pm at Pasadena High School’s auditorium.

http://www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org/pyso-silent-auction/

Notes from Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

P lay the section without looking, your ears will get a chance to correct
R eview your notes from rehearsal and lesson
A nnahilate problems so when you plug it back into the piece you play smoothly without hestitation
C ontrol
T hink…seems obvious, but take 3 seconds to remind yourself of your goals
I dentify the problem, then fix it!
C omfort leads to confidence, spend some quality practice on a difficult passage
E xcuses, excuses, excuses. STOP! It takes more energy to come up with them than to actually practice.

Remember what Ms. Chen said and worked on; she had a lot of great stuff and Brandenburg sounded so good! Next week, you will have a sub so let's bring our positive attitudes and best behavior.

Notes from Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

P lay the passage backwards
R epetition, play the 7s game…ask me what this is
A dd a note…when the section is perfect
C ount out loud the rests and rhythms
T orture practice…play a section at tempo, if you fail, play it 2x as slow, if you fail again, then 2x as slow, if you succeed 2x as fast, etc until you are at a tempo again.
I ndependent practice, don’t wait for your parents to ask you to practice…do it yourself
C lean up…no extra squeaks, squawks or strings
E phiphany or “Ah ha moments”…with well thought out practice, you should have many of these

*Ms. Lim's Helpful Tips #2

Guest Conductor Mei Ann Chen will be at next Tuesday's rehearsal. She will hear the Brandenburg No. 3, 1st movement in all it's glory! P.R.A.C.T.I.C.E.
No Sectionals next week, so we will be able to rehearse all our Winter Concert music...Hallelujah, In a Christmas Mood, Small Overture...be ready!!!
Be prepared to play a solo We are only as good as our weakest player, so don't be weak! I'll ask people to play at different sections in our Winter Concert pieces.
Congrats to challengers and 'challengees' last week! Always be prepared, you never know if someone challenge you.

Notes from Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

P izzacato…focus on left hand position, intonation, and strength
R hythms…Short-Long;Long-Short; SSLL;LLSS;LSSL;SLLS, etc.
A rticulations…staccatos, tenutos, marcato, spiccato, etc.
C onsistency…can you play the section perfectly, 3x in a row? 10x? 20x?
T ime it…use a stopwatch and see how fast you can play it 3x perfect
I magination…create a storyline to go along with the piece
C reativity…if you’re bored with practice, find a way to stay engaged
E valuate your practice, “Did I fix, clean, or smooth out a passage?”

· Ms. Lim’s Helpful Practice Tips #1


Try it - Use the above acronym to practice the selected measures below.
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, 1st movement
1st Violin: m. 8 - 12; m. 24 - 30; m. 46 - 51; m. 80 - 84

2nd Violin: m. 8 - 12; m. 24 - 30; m. 51- 56; m. 62 -65; m. 66 - 70; m. 80 - 84

Violas: m. 24 - 31; m. 48 - 51; m. 53 - 56; m. 66 - 69

Cellos: m. 24 - 31; 70 - 72; m.

Bass: m. 3 - ; m. 24 - 31; articulation a little shorter

Polish - Also, remember that we will be performing Small Overture, Hallelujah Chorus, and In a Christmas Mood for the Winter Concert. We will rehearse them next week.

Congratulations to Alex, William, Tiffany, and Karen for successfully challenging for seats!

Notes from Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic far beyond all we do here!”

(Can you figure our where this quote is from? Be specific and come see me at break for a prize!)

Another wonderful rehearsal, last Tuesday!!! 9 more to go before the concert!

Please check that you have the following in your folders:

Brandenburg No. 3, 1st and 2nd movement

Brandenburg No. 5, 1st movement

Hallelujah Chorus

In a Christmas Mood

Small Overture

If you do not have one of these pieces, please see me at the beginning of the rehearsal.

Also, next Tuesday we start our “Seat Challenges”. Here are a few things to remember.

1. Challenges are only issued to your own section

2. Each rehearsal will only have 4 challenges

3. Every musician has a vote, the results will stand (unless coach or conductor veto due to bad attitude)

4. Rotations will begin next week. Be sure to turn in your nametag at the end of rehearsal

5. Permanent seats will be assigned 2 weeks before the concert

Look at the attachment at all the great goals that you came up with. Besides monkeys, elephants can be seen playing instruments as well. We need to make sure we create something much more than notes!

Here’s the link to a youtube video www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecH16G05GC8

Notes from Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

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.

Greg Fuentes | PYSO Coordinator

Greetings PYSO Musicians and Families! - Welcome Back!

Musicians and Parents - 5:15 p.m. Meeting in PHS Auditorium.

Pasadena High School
2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107

Symphony, String Orchestra & Wind Ensemble Rehearsal after the Meeting


This is just a friendly reminder:

What to bring to rehearsal:

1. Your instrument.
2. Folding music stand (all groups)
3. Pencil with an eraser.
4. Any other equipment for your instrument such as extra strings, rockstops, reeds, mutes, percussion mallets, rosin, valve oil, etc.

- Do not rely on your stand partner to bring the above items for you. If your stand partner is absent or arrives late, you must be prepared!

Also, if you have not returned your PYSO forms, included in your packet, please do so after the Musicians & Parent Meeting.

If you have already turned in you payment and forms, please disregard this message

Parents:

Please look inside the musicians’ music folder when they get home. There is additional important paper work which needs your attention and there is a letter that will need to be signed by their School Music Director and returned as soon as possible.

Any musician not at the first rehearsal can pick it up the music folder in person at the next rehearsal.

Sincerely,

Greg Fuentes PYSO Coordinator

Greg Fuentes | PYSO Coordinator

Hey PYSO Families!

Want to have a great meal and help earn money for PYSO? Check this out:

For ONE DAY ONLY, Panda Express Restaurant group has generously partnered with PYSO to help us fundraise. On TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH, simply print out and bring the attached flier to one of two Panda Express Locations and enjoy a quick bite for lunch, dinner or after rehearsal snack and Panda Express will donate 20% of your bill to PYSO!

The two participating locations are:

Panda Express
218 S. Lake Ave.
Pasadena CA. 91001
(626) 799-7710

Panda Express inside Pavillions
745 W. Naomi Ave, Acadia
(626) 626-821-9407

Please pass these fliers along to any friends or family who might be interested. If you know someone who works near one of the location, ask them to pass it out to their co-workers. You can also print a few extra and keep them in your car to hand out to friends as you go about your day. While we cannot solicit diners at the restaurant, we can pass these fliers along to as many people as we like. This fundraiser costs us nothing and can help us keep PYSO expenses down. There are currently over 150 families in PYSO. If everyone goes to Panda Express on SEPTEMBER 27 and spends just $35, that’s over a $1,000 to help PYSO. Every little bit helps as we plan what is sure to be one of the most exciting years PYSO has ever seen!

Additional fliers will be available at the first rehearsal

Have a great last week off and we will see you next Tuesday!

Greg Fuentes | PYSO Coordinator

The PYSO Parent Fundraising Committee is off to a strong start. This summer, we have worked with them in establishing a path for fundraising and sponsorship for PYSO for the 2011-2012 season and beyond. Some major highlights include:

- October 28, 2011, An Evening with Mei Ann Chen, a special event/fundraiser held with our guest conductor, Mei Ann Chen. The committee has secured in-kind catering and rentals. Please mark your calendars and let us know if there are any potential sponsors with a Youth/Education focus that you would like us to invite.
- December 6, 2011, PYSO Winter Concert and Silent Auction. For the first time, the PYSO will be hosting a Silent Auction in conjunction with its annual Winter Concert. We have already secured many items for auction, but will continue to collect until the week before the event. Some samples of items donated have included vacation spots in Hawaii and Italy, jewelry, “Lessons from the Masters”-a series of intense instruction and coaching from area violin and cello teachers, special tours and food items.
- Other, smaller fundraisers for PYSO include a “Panda Express Dinner Night” (bring a flier in, PYSO gets 20% of your bill) a Play-a-thon, Goodwill Donation truck ($1500) per truck we fill, no costs or obligations, and “Tickets for Tuition” where PYSO members sell Symphony concert tickets at full price and receive a small percentage of the sale. We are also actively seeking sponsorships.

Plans for the PYSO Symphony tour to Austria as well as the companion tour continue to develop. Additional information about the companion tour will become available soon. If you haven’t sent an email of interest yet, there’s still time!

Greg Fuentes | PYSO Coordinator

Music Under the Stars

September 24, 2011 7:30 pm
at Pasadena City Hall-Centennial Square

Pasadena POPS
Larry Blank, Conductor

Pasadena Symphony and POPS

Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Larry Blank, Conductor

Build another enduring memory with your family and friends as we gather in the majestic setting of Centennial Square at Pasadena City Hall for an unforgettable celebration everyone will love – the Pasadena Symphony and POPS annual FREE gift of music to the community. This year’s MUSIC UNDER THE STARS will celebrate great American musical icons with brilliant vocalists LISA VROMAN, CHRISTINA ASHFORD, NORMAN LARGE, THE DONALD BRINEGAR SINGERS, and the musicians of the Pasadena Symphony and POPS .

Greg Fuentes | PYSO Coordinator

Marvin Does Movies

Pasadena POPS
August 27, 2011 7:30 pm at Lawn adjacent to the Rose Bowl

Pasadena POPS
Marvin Hamlisch, Principal Pops Conductor

Programming will include:
Salute to Gene Kelly, Gigi, An American in Paris, Schindler’s List, The Informant!

Order tickets by Phone:

You may call between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday. Phone: 626.793.7172