Slow pieces are sometimes more difficult to play

Date: 09/19/13
Orchestra: CYO
Attendance: very good
Repertoire Rehearsed: Faure and Mozart
Little things I noticed: That painting (photo?) of a girl in a blue costume kept creeping me out...

Note:
Ahhhh, it is sooo nice to have a full section of woodwinds. I was dreaming of this last year. I mean we still don't have bassoons, but what middle school orchestra does?
Now we just need more BRASS!

But since we don't have a full brass section right now, we do get to play lighter and more intimate sounding repertoire, like Mozart and Faure, which I think is a great opportunity for us. We should be able to hear the more delicate and intricate parts of the orchestra, and really refine our ensemble skills.

Speaking of which, we just had our first "real" rehearsal so this is only to be expected (but neverthless never too early for me to mention), we will need to focus on "listening" a lot more. An ensemble will cease to be,  and would be meaningless, if we don't pay any heed to what your fellow ensemble mates are playing, and see how your part fit in with everybody else's. It would be pointless to play in an orchestra, if it is just to stare only at your music and close your ears. You can do that in your own practice room any day. Let's all make a point of having everyone gather together in one room to create one piece of music! Look around, open your ears.

Faure may be a slow piece, but delicate, fragile, and introverted. Which translate to DIFFICULT (especially for those who are playing in such difficult keys as G# and D# minor... sorry clarinets and saxophones....).

This piece requires tender sounds, which in itself is difficult to produce. Think of warmth, and fluffyness. Think of cotton, and feathers. Never a harshness, or coarseness. Listen to your own sound "very carefully" while practicing by yourself. Also look up what "pavane" means.

Technically, practice your minor scales! Minor scales are too often neglected. Make sure you can "sing" minor scales with your voice with accurate pitches. If you can't do that, then you can't play it. More on that on another entry :)

All and all, really great first reading of the piece! 

P.S. Everybody should bring your stands and pencils to every rehearsal!!! Please don't forget! :)