Wednesday night I went to the dark side of the orchestra–located in front of the strings and behind a baton. Specifically, I conducted PYP’s string section in the opening of the third movement of shosty 5. Leading up to this was plenty of studying/analyzing of the score as well as practicing by conducting along to recordings (by the way, it’s an absolutely amazing piece). The first difficulty of this piece is its slow tempo: 50 beats per minute–slower than a resting heart-rate (and since I was nervous, it would have been about a third of mine). A second point of difficulty is the unusual division of the string section in this movement of the symphony, the violins which are normally in two groups are, as a whole, divided into three sections leading to some uncertainty on my part as to who would be playing which part — i.e. the movement begins with the third group. The music also begins on a weak beat of the measure: on “two,” meaning “one” is actually a preparatory beat. Those were some of the “technical” aspects of conducting going through my mind as I went up in front of the orchestra. But picking up the baton and diving into the first bars of the piece was something I couldn’t have really prepared for. The first thing I realized was just how far INTO the orchestra the conductor stands; to see the first violin or viola desk I’d have to turn 90º to the side: I originally visualized conducting to be a sort of disembodied omnipresence. I was also IN the orchestra in a sense of being SURROUNDED by the music. The first real “forte” felt like a tsunami around me (I think I may have had to hold back an evil giggle of power at that point). Luckily I had training wheels named Mr. Hattner and Mr. Muñoz behind the orchestra, helping me out. They helped bring my mind back to the some of the finer technical points I mentioned earlier and had several additional suggestions. The first point was I should show a more ‘legato’ beat, with less emphasis on the ictus. Tito compared a good legato motion to the feeling of conducting underwater. Afterwards they both discussed with me the subject of a good grip on the baton and posture in general such as the position of my elbows and shoulders. After all, conducting is the art of leading ~100 musicians entirely through body language.

John S. Caughman V, tuba, PYP

Share on Facebook

When it comes to most things in life, there isn’t much of an advantage of being older except for one thing: experience. When you live longer, you have more experiences, both good and bad. When I was in high school, and even college, there were many things that I know now that I wish I’d known back then. Here’s my top ten list of things that I wish I’d known when I was a young musician.

1. Practicing isn’t a matter of how many hours you put in, but how many good hours you put in. It’s quality, not quantity. Practicing intelligently is something that my best teachers instilled in me, and it’s vital if you’re going to survive in the professional world. You don’t always have months to prepare your repertoire, and after school is over other demands will fill in the open spaces, and being able to be efficient in your practicing will pay for itself many times over. Trust me on this one.

2. Your body is also your instrument - learn how it works and take care of it. I cannot stress this enough. Every year I see high school aged musicians who are suffering from overuse injuries (see #1 above) that might have been avoided with some basic knowledge of how the mechanics of playing their instrument affect their physical well-being. A book of stretches is essential: daily stretching before practice and rehearsals can absolutely save your future career. I recommend the classic book Stretching by Bob Anderson. There are also such disciplines as the Feldenkrais Method or Alexander Technique that can help you become aware of your body and its motions that can be extremely helpful both before and after an injury happens.

3. Being professional is a 24 hour job. When I was in school, we used to have a phrase that described this: The Conservatory Curse. If you were talking trash about someone else’s performance, chances are they were standing right behind you - no matter where you were. What to do? Don’t talk trash about or to other musicians. You never know when or where you’ll run into them again - they might be in a position to help your career later on when you least expect it, and chances are they won’t be in a charitable mood if you’ve been rude to them. I had a teacher who was at the very pinnacle of his profession who I never, ever heard utter an unkind word about anyone, either personally or professionally. It’s a standard that I strive to attain myself, and the old saw that one catches more flies with honey than vinegar is absolutely true.

4. Keep busy, and do a variety of things. This was a hard one for me to learn. When I joined the Oregon Symphony I was consumed by the demands of my first full-time professional job, but I also played chamber music, filled in with Third Angle New Music Ensemble, played recitals and concertos with various orchestras, and in general stayed busy and kept my workload varied. Variety is the spice of life, they say, and it’s very true in the musical world. The main advantage of variety is that each different sort of music-making that you do will reinforce the other. Playing in orchestra demands ensemble skills, which are reinforced by playing chamber music. Solo playing demands the height of preparation and rigorous performance standards, which benefit all of your other playing, and so on. In addition, do things outside of music. I cycle, read, blog, and cook regularly, and this makes my life more balanced and enjoyable. Sure, I still live for my music, but music is just a part of my life, not my entire life.

5. Respect your elders and those who have more experience than you do. In music school there are various classes of musicians, but most often it boils down to two: those who can really play, and everyone else. This is all well and good in school, where there is often an unhealthy obsession with competition. In the real world, however, it’s not always about who plays the most accurately. That old guy in the back of the violins might not shred like you do, but he might have played under Copland or Stravinsky, and would have some great stories to tell. He also, chances are, knows pretty much every standard work that an orchestra plays, and would have a wealth of information about bowings and fingerings to share should you hit it off. Plus, it’s just a matter of manners. Be respectful to those who have gone before you. This is a relatively rare thing to encounter these days, and if you adopt these manners, you will distinguish yourself from the crowd.

6. Be a sponge, not a faucet. Most of the great musicians, artists, and people in the world have one thing in common: they are constantly learning from the world around them. This is especially important for a young musician. Every new concert, rehearsal, or gig is an opportunity to learn something. You might have played the Dvorák cello concerto several times, but did you ever really pay attention to that second oboe part at the beginning of the second movement? It’s cool, and wicked hard to pull off. Listen to how good wind players phrase - try to emulate that if you’re a string player or pianist. Listen to how great singers phrase - everyone should try to aspire to that kind of phrasing. As you learn more, resist the temptation to spew your advanced state of knowledge all over your colleagues. You will quickly earn a reputation as a blow-hard, and no one will every take you seriously again. Seriously.

7. Choose aspiration over competition. It’s easy to be competitive - sometimes it’s even fun - but it can go too far. It’s easy to let it go to the dark side. Resist that temptation. You want to play more notes faster than the other guy. Louder. Higher. Whatever. Instead trying to tear someone down, look at what it is that they do that you like, and try to figure out how to integrate it into your own playing. Listen to recordings of the great players or singers and try to figure out what they do that makes them unique. YouTube is a boon, because there are all sorts of videos of artists new and old, and it is very possible to learn a lot from viewing them. Good teachers take the time to point out great players that can be learned from, and often will loan a student recordings or videos, or even have their studio watch or listen to them as a group. The main point is, make your quest to be better a positive thing. There will always be someone better than you, and always someone less good, and it’s something you should always keep in mind.

8. Diversify: learn about other art forms. When I was in high school and college I was always interested in lots of stuff other than music. I built models, took photographs, rode my bike, read tons of books. Aside from the outside activities, it’s also very valuable to learn about the other fine arts from the time periods of the music that you’re working on. When I was in undergrad at the University of Puget Sound, there was a lot of coursework outside of the music program, and writing was stressed through the entire curriculum. My final senior paper was about Schoenberg and the Blaue Reiter Almanach, which took an entire semester to research and write, and coincided with a chamber group of mine doing Schoenberg’s Transfigured Night. I found that being exposed to the entirety of what Schoenberg’s great artistic school was up to at that time very helpful in trying to figure out how to present the piece. When listening to lieder, for example, you might want to read more of the poetry by the poet whose words are set by the composer. Or you might want to take in a play related to a work you’re performing, or that’s contemporaneous to the work you’re studying. Music doesn’t exist in a vacuum, it’s part of a greater artistic and social movement, and so too should you.

9. Learn the business of music. This can never begin too early. If you do wedding or occasional gigs, learn to draft a contract to cover the eventualities of things going awry. The musical portion of an event is often the last to be hired, and there is almost never time to get things staked out much in advance. In addition, learn how to write a good, attractive resume. Make sure that you know how to use online social media to your advantage: put up videos of your playing on YouTube (but only if it’s really good), set up a fan page on Facebook with photos and audio files, and set up a Twitter account related to your performing activities. The possibilities are virtually limitless, and as the generation that is the first to be fully immersed in these new media formats, you have the power to make them work for you. This is such an important arena that such formerly conservative institutions as Juilliard, Curtis and Eastman are adding curricula that address self-promotion and survival in this new media landscape.

10. Love what you do - and remember to nurture that love. When you’re young and just finding your way, your relationship with music is passionate and full of zest and ardor. Over time, setbacks and the less positive side of the business (and it is, ultimately, a business built on an art form) can make one become lazy, jaded, and cynical. It’s easy to forget that you used to love the Beethoven Fifth Symphony after you’ve played it a dozen times or more. That’s why it’s so important to nurture the basic love for music and performing that you have right now. Spend time regularly investing in that initial stock of love that you have for music, and it will sustain you over the long haul.

Written by: Charles Noble, Oregon Symphony Assistant Principal viola. Charles Noble keeps his own blog rolling at: www.nobleviola.com. Check there for interesting insights into the Oregon Symphony, the orchestral world at large and the life of a professional musician.

Share on Facebook

I’m really excited for “Concert at Christmas!” All of us have worked really hard, and I think that the audience is going to enjoy all of the pieces that we have prepared as much as we have enjoyed playing them. With Richard Zeller as our featured soloist, and the tremendous amount of energy from all of our sections, this concert will amaze a lot of listeners.

Jenny Lee, cello, PYP

Share on Facebook

The Prelude Concert went pretty well, being the first concert for PYCO. It was a bit strange getting off the stage and returning after each piece, but it went quite smoothly. The piano concerto went quite smoothly. For Glinka and Borodin, we did better as the piece progressed. Personally, there were several missed notes on my part during the opening measures. For the Concert-at-Christmas, we shall be playing Glinka again, so I will be practicing quite a bit on the troublesome passages I had during the concert. This next concert we shall performing with all groups so we will have to play to our best.

Arthur Halim, viola, PYCO

Share on Facebook

. . . you now know that there is no feeling that compares with giving an exciting live performance of truly great music. There is no feeling like working hard for something that can only be achieved by a large group all making the same selfless effort. I hope the memory of this feeling will last the rest of your lives.

Your combined effort is a joy to behold for our whole community and clearly is not going unnoticed.

Now is the time to understand that you are among the rare few people anywhere who have the opportunity to do something that is truly special. You now have the opportunity to set a standard of excellence for your younger colleagues as well as all future PYP musicians. You have achieved something significant and meaningful, but I am confident that every single one of us believes that this orchestra’s greatest triumphs are yet to come later this season. I hope you are as excited and devoted to doing what is necessary to make that happen as I am.

A wise but cynical person once said: “Perform the impossible and they’ll write it into your job description.” You have set the bar mighty high for yourselves and for future members of PYP. For that I can say that there is no group of young people anywhere that I admire more than all of you.

Mr. Hattner, Conductor and Music Director

Share on Facebook

I have rehearsed the Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. II once so far with PYCO, and my first impression was great. It was immediately apparent to me that PYCO musicians really seem to enjoy themselves during rehearsals. After all, that’s what music is all about – enjoying the music while seeking improvement in our playing. The young musicians are attentive to Mr. Johnson and express a great passion for the music, which I know will be a valuable asset as we continue to work through this concerto. I am genuinely looking forward to our future rehearsals, and can’t wait to perform some Beethoven with PYCO in the November [22nd] concert!

Chris Aholt, Piano Concerto Competition Winner Runner-Up

Share on Facebook

“In many ways, this past Monday’s rehearsal was the first put-together for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 [for the Fall Concert on November 14]. We had sight read it together in the first couple of rehearsals but had not worked on much detail. I was astonished by how fast the orchestra had improved compared to when I first heard them play. There was more fluidity and dynamics, and every part sounded clearer. That is what makes the PYP an intriguing group; the orchestra thrives on potential and the thirst to play better. The musicians gathered in the cafeteria of Jackson Middle School struggle, improve, and have fun. As both the orchestra and I head towards our November concert in full steam, I cannot help but smile and think, it’s going to be an electrifying concert.”

Kai Talim, piano, PYP

Share on Facebook

“This year has been off to a good start– and that’s the best part: PYCO has progressed much more through its pieces than last year. This rehearsal, Mr. Johnson has mentioned the Dragons and the Russians, and brought the famous (or infamous) Doctor Beat to “cure what ails us”. Nevertheless, an unforeseen circumstance has delayed the inevitable.

I learn something every rehearsal, each lesson important in its own right. As most of my section has experienced, we were taught the importance of persevering through the off-beats.

Most importantly, however, I learned the names of my section members!”

Arthur Halim, viola, PYCO

Share on Facebook

Rehearsal was awesome tonight! We all sounded great with our parts and together. The music sounded so much better than last week. Everyone really worked hard. It started sounding like “PYCO”. I can’t wait to hear our first concert this coming November!

Tiffany Chen, Harp, PYCO

Share on Facebook

Someone passing through the hallway outside the band room at Jackson Middle School this past Wednesday night, between the hours of 6 and 7 PM, would have seen a group of six bass players (five young players and a middle-aged coach.) The young players would have been playing excerpts from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, and the coach would have been listening to them, commenting on their work, and occasionally trying (very ineptly) to conduct them. The young players would have been learning this very difficult piece, learning how to make musical decisions large and small, learning how to play together, learning how to blend their individual sounds into one sound (while still playing expressively). They would have been impressing their coach, and stray passersby, with their talent, maturity, and powers of concentration. Passing observers would have witnessed a group of young bassists in the process of becoming what will be an excellent bass section for the Portland Youth Philharmonic.

Jeff Johnson, Oregon Symphony Assistant Principal Bass, PYP Sectional Coach

Share on Facebook

This week was my second rehearsal with PYP’s Young String Ensemble. At last week’s rehearsal I felt like I was unprepared or I was missing something! Soon when we started, I wasn’t getting the hang of it and where to go. I felt very left out. I was happy when I did well on my piece and other people did too so we would all sound great together with no mistakes. To prepare for this week I made sure I was bringing everything and practiced well with no mistakes. This week, in our second rehearsal, I already felt that I wasn’t left out and that I’m with the class and not behind or anything. Also I know where to go to class and to other places. I also met new friends. Why do I love YSE? It’s because I love to be in an orchestra with other instruments. If we all play together, it’s a very beautiful sound. Even though YSE only has violin, cello, and viola it still makes a very good sound and it’s a good feeling to me.

Aaron Choi, Cello, YSE

Share on Facebook

Tonight was my first PYCO rehearsal. I played with Larry in PYWE for part
of last season, but some new players weren’t expecting his reference to Sun
Tzu: “Subdivide and conquer.” I was honestly worried about staying awake
during practice - many PYP musicians are involved in sports, other musical
groups, or myriad commitments, not to mention a full load of homework.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the tone of the rehearsal
somewhere in between sleepy and hyperactive. The musicians sightread with
determination and focus. We also took a theory test to place us in the
appropriate class. I already shared a bonding moment - sight-singing with
four fellow musicians! I’m looking forward to practicing the articulation
and fast finger action of “Polovtsian Dances” by Borodin and “Russlan and
Ludmilla Overture” by Glinka. Best wishes!

Megan Richardson, co-principal clarinet, PYCO

Share on Facebook

Tonight’s rehearsal buzzed with the excitement of seeing friends, meeting new members, and new music. It was great to be back in a setting of a big group of people just ready to create music and to have fun. Verdi, Prokofiev, and Beethoven went by in a breeze. Everything was pretty relaxed and it felt like any other rehearsal we had before. The only change was that we left our beloved Glencoe Elementary School for Jackson Middle School. I’m personally really excited to get to know everyone and to tackle whatever music coming our way. I felt a lot of energy and enthusiasm throughout the orchestra tonight–something I hope will continue. As for now, I’m just happy we still get to play in our signature rehearsal venue–a school cafeteria.

Andrea Moon, Principal 2nd Violi, PYP

Share on Facebook