As Seen at the Podium
Monday, September 28th, 2009A picture tells a thousand words. Check out PYP’s facebook fan page and see who came to conduct at rehearsal this week: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-Youth-Philharmonic/58368939237?ref=ts
Archive for September, 2009
It started sounding like “PYCO”
Thursday, September 24th, 2009Rehearsal 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
If you were passing by sectionals Wednesday night . . .
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009Someone 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
Why do I love YSE?
Monday, September 21st, 2009This 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
Show you support PYP with buttons
Friday, September 18th, 2009
Show you support PYP with buttons:
1) Find the PYP Buttons Album on our fanpage. Right click a button and “save image as” 2) Upload to your online albums or use as a profile pic.
-or-
1) Become a fan of Portland Youth Philharmonic 2) Add the “Pieces of Flair” application. Search “PYP” or “Portland Youth Philharmonic”
Somewhere between sleepy and hyperactive
Friday, September 18th, 2009Tonight 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
PYP’s first rehearsal of 2009-2010
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
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
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
(Above)
Left: Megan Richardson, Clarinet, PYWE 2008-2009, PYCO 2009-Current
Center: Andrea Moon, Violin, PYCO 2005-2007, PYP 2007-Current
Right: Arthur Halim, Viola, PYCO 2008-Current
(Above)
Left: Cramer Kallem, Oboe, PYWE 2008-2009, PYCO 2008-2009, PYP 2009-Current
Center: Jenny Lee, Cello, PYCO 2007-2009, PYP 2009-Current
Right: Tiffany Chen, Harp, PYCO 2008-Current
(Above)
Left: Left: Miranda McCausland, Percussion, PYP 2009-Current
Center: Judy Lee, Violin, YSE 2006-2008, PYCO 2008-Current
Right: Joanne Lee, Cello, YSE 2008-Current
(Above)
Left: Aaron Choi, Cello, YSE 2009-Current