back to basics

Rehearsal Date: 01/15/15
Orchestra: CYO
Repertoire Rehearsed: Blue Tango

It's really nice to see that our little family is growing and growing! We had two new students last week, and four more this week, and I think there will be at least two more new people coming next week!

When the orchestra grows bigger in size, somehow, it is encouraging. More people interesting in joining what we are doing can only mean one thing: we are doing something right! Not sure what it is, but whatever it is, let's just keep doing it :)

As we get new players, however, we have to constantly remind ourselves of where each of started from. No one knew each other, and we weren't used to playing together, and maybe also because we have come off of a pretty nice and long break,  I feel that we've forgotten what it was like.

I feel as though we have forgotten the kind of attitude, and rehearsal ethics that were needed to have a good ensemble.

Here are some reminders:
Number 1: BRING YOUR MUSIC STANDS
     We should start with the basics. No stands, no music. Simple as that. We often forget how we as          musicians are so extremely reliant on music stands. To note, I bring the rack of MAC's stands in          the room IN CASE someone forgets it. These days it seems everyone is "forgetting" it. Forgetting      on purpose does not constitute as forgetting, so I will stop allowing you from taking the MAC            stands if you just didn't bring yours because you didn't feel like it.

Number 2: Stop chatting during rehearsal
     Need I explain?

Number 3: No playing while I'm talking.
     This is perhaps ten times more distracting than chatting. What's worse is that, those who are                guilty of this, are usually the same people that are guilty for not playing when they are supposed to      play!

Number 4: My hands down, your instruments down. My hands up, your instruments up.
     When I'm ready, you should be as well. If you can't do this, that means you are not focused and          are zoning out during rehearsal. If you are zoning out, you are not participating, which means              you are not helping anybody, nor your group, or yourself for that matter. And if you continue not        being ready, it continues to frustrate approximately one member in that room pretty badly. This is      also to prevent Number 3 from happening.

Number 5: Listen to other parts while playing.
     Finally something musical. You are playing in the orchestra, not practicing solo by yourself in a          lonely room. The beauty of orchestra is the coming together of all these different sounds. Take            advantage of the fact that you get to experience this unique and magical moments every week.            Listen, appreciate, enjoy, and maybe learn something from them. And don't forget that you are            also contributing to these magical moments. Really listen, really appreciate.

Number 6: Take care of the place in which you practice.
     Last week, I was embarrassed to see four chairs still standing where the cellos sat after you guys          had left. Now cellists, you need the chair more than anybody in the orchestra does. I would think        that you out of everyone would be the first to take care of your chairs!

     Many serious stuff, like in religion and in martial arts (where you train your mind and body for            betterment at the expense of your and others' tremendous physical pain), you take care of the              room, the building, the environment in which whatever activity takes place before and after the            activities. This means, readying the room beforehand in such a way that you can really concentrate      on the work without being distracted, and cleaning up afterwards, to show respect - first to                  yourself by acknowledging what is become of the environment while you worked so hard, and to        turn it back to the state it was in before you arrived, to show your respect and appreciation to the        people around you, people that let you use the facility, and to yourself. By cleaning up your own        mess, it says that you respect yourself. You don't let your own environment deteriorate. You clean      up your own mess, so you can be a better person. So FOLD YOUR CHAIRS UP and PLACE             THEM ON THE RACK before you leave, after each rehearsal.

Thank you