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

Have you ever wondered how it might feel to play the timpani, cymbal,
triangle, or other percussion instruments in an orchestra? Those
instruments, all the way in the back of the orchestra, may seem far from
the conductor and the audience, yet surely you will have noticed them.
Perhaps you wonder: how hard can it be? Let me frame it this way: if you
have ever heard a poorly played percussion sound—a sound too loud, too
early, or too late—you know that one sound alone can deflate a musical
atmosphere. But with this experience comes the realization of how
powerful percussion sounds are. What else can alone overpower eighty
musicians playing at full force? For a percussionist, every note is a
solo, every sound is a spectacle. A well-placed cymbal crash can
energize the whole orchestra, a beautiful triangle roll can make the
music sparkle like nothing else (that’s why we have the triangle!), and
to control the pulse of a concert hall with the stroke of your drum is
an intense, intoxicating experience. As a percussion section, we
understand that with this power comes the responsibility to prepare each
note with great care and insight and love for the music. And for me as a
coach, there is nothing greater than to see our young percussionists
develop the technical and musical skill and the sensibility, maturity
and joy to assume that awesome responsibility.

Florian Conzetti, Percussion Coach

Share on Facebook

Thank you so much for the opportunity to work with your low
brass section last Monday night. I thoroughly enjoyed the time
spent. As you know, they are extremely bright kids and fine players
as well. They were pretty much nailing their parts already, so I was
able to use the time as a master class. I tried to give them some
useful, perhaps new, ways of thinking about important concepts such
as pitch, articulation, rhythm and phrasing, as well as some
“trombone specific” ideas about right hand position, basic concepts
of slide technique, and choice of alternate positions.

Jeff Williams, Professor (trombone, brass chamber music)

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