Announcements from Conductor Steven Huang to Musicians

SCHEDULE: Starting in February, we’ll be holding SECTIONAL rehearsals. Thank you for those who let me know of your available dates.

Even if your sectional is not called, you are always welcome and encouraged to attend—just know that the focus may not be in your area! For Feb. 8 and 22 rehearsals, the 7-8pm times will be solely reserved for the sectional areas, however.

Feb. 1:
6:30-7:30 pm: Mendelssohn String Symphony No. 7 for Strings involved in Mendelssohn chamber music (Lisa, Nancy, Liz, Frazier, Arnold and Ayman).

7:30-9:30 pm: Brahms Tragic Overture, Symphony 4, Finale, Hungarian Dance No. 4.
While focus will be on Horns, Trumpets, low brass and timpani, all others are welcome to join so that the brass can be heard in context. 

 Because brass and timpani play less frequently than other instrument groups in this repertoire, your participation would be helpful for all players to understand the music in context!

Feb. 8: 

6:00 pm: Board Meeting 

7:00 pm: Brahms Symphony and Overture - Cellos and basses (Focus 100%)

8:00 pm: Brahms Symphony and Overture - All others (particularly strings) welcome to attend, but focus will be on cellos and basses

Feb. 15:  

Violins and violas sectionals: All others, particularly cellos and basses, are welcome to attend (low strings can often help with tuning upper strings).
6:15-7:00 pm:  Mendelssohn String Symphony No. 7 for Strings involved in Mendelssohn chamber music 

7:00pm-9:30pm: Violins and violas. Barber, Brahms Symphony 4 and Tragic Overture. For at least a portion of the time, we will rehearse separately: first violins in the kitchen or foyer, second violins in the main hall, and violas in the kitchen or foyer. Then, we will come together for the second half of rehearsal. All other non-violinists and violists can join the second violins in the main hall for the entire time.
Feb. 22:
 

6:15-7:00 pm

Woodwind quintet chamber music rehearsal and coaching (if available)
7:00- 8:00 pm

Woodwinds and horns (focus 100%): Brahms' Symphony No 4 and Tragic Overture.  
8:00 pm

Symphony 4  and Tragic Overture. All who can join to play are welcome, so that music is understood in context, by woodwinds and other instruments.

· Taking a hiatus or planning to be gone for a bit? Let Conductor know! He can organize sectionals for those that can make it. 

· Remember to bring your mug for tea and coffee! It will save our budget and the environment at the same time.

· Do you have leftover tea, cookies, and snacks in your kitchen? Bring them as well! We will dispose of them expeditiously. ;-)

Chamber music: Besides a wind quintet, Mendelssohn’s String Symphony No. 7 will be featured on the Chamber Music Program. Mendelssohn wrote these pieces when he was an early teenager, but they are, like Mozart’s works, pure genius. Here are the part assignments:

Violin I: Lissa Pasternak

Violin II: Nancy Benson and Liz Klippert (doubling throughout)

Viola: Frazier Stephenson

“Bassi” (which means cello and bass): Arnold Berman and Ayman Elgamal.

COVID Safety Protocol

All musicians must be fully vaccinated (including boosters).  Masks are now optional at rehearsals for all musicians.  Do not come to rehearsal if you have symptoms or know you have been exposed to someone with COVID.  We recommend that everyone self-test prior to each rehearsal.

When you attend rehearsal please remember to:

· Bring your music - no extra copies are available

· Bring a stand, a stand light, and a pencil

· Arrive early to set up and be ready to play at 7:00pm

· Return your chair to the stack in the back of the room when you leave

· Check our Rehearsal Details page before Wednesday to note any changes in schedule

All instrumental parts and bowed and edited string parts are located on our Web site under Current Repertoire. Members will be expected to bring their own parts to every rehearsal. If you have trouble printing or finding music, please contact Nancy Eisenman.

Dues for all musicians are $350.00 annually, payable in full or in 2, 3 or 4 installments. Monthly and daily fees are also available; please see the treasurer, Dan Prener.  We accept payments from Zelle, check, credit, or debit card.  Additional donations are welcome; tax forms will be provided if requested.

If you are aware of an upcoming absence, please notify the Conductor, Steven Huang, and Orchestra Liaison, Nancy Eisenman.