Another Fire!
Congratulations on pulling through yet another fire.  Yes, we had a fire alarm near the end of my first MAYO concert.  For some reason, we were allowed to re-enter the building while the lights were flashing and we restarted the final piece and finished with the strobe.  Alas, that wasnt' the case for our rehearsal.

The Really Important Things

Welcome to all the new players 

First, I want to welcome all the new players this year.  I'm truly excited about this season.  Welcome to all the violinists that I have met.  The heavy-duty brass section is going to sound great.  Now, for just two more French Horn players and we'll have the six we need for the Holst.  We also need a tuba player and more bassists and cellists.

Tuning and Intonation
Intonation is critical to our sounding our best.  I need for us to have the tuning be excellent and done as quickly as possible.  Wind players, listen to your principal and play into their sound.  Everyone needs to take personal responsibility to learn the notes, conquer the technical difficulties, and be ready to make the music what we want it to be.  Maybe we want to make the music dance, come alive, or go away.  Maybe we want to excite the audience or put them at peace.

To that end, I hope I am helping by publishing this blog with specific sections I plan on working in the coming week. 

Second violinists: don't worry.  We will have coaching for you the next few weeks to help you conquer the hurdles in your music.

Why Read This?
Each week, please:
- remember to check out our rehearsal schedule at the end of this blog
- use the rehearsal schedule to find the parts that are challenging for you
- listen to the music links provided here or listen to your own favorite recordings from the library or iTunes

Here are some links.  Please share other links that you feel are your favorites.  I promise to add them to this list.
Holst: Mars     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBbHcpF3nqo
                       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NeQ1h6lzLI&feature=related
Holst: Venus   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzQ45P6KjTg
Holst: Jupiter   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6NopU9K_8M&feature=related
Mozart: Symphony 41, 4th mvmt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l2HQdZuV3U&feature=related
Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhyzk6Ty-Ms&feature=related
Elgar: Cello Concerto, 4th mvmt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rjudv2woxQ

Rehearsal Plan
Please be in your seats at 6:30 with your instrument warmed-up, ready to tune, and ready to pay attention to any announcements.
6:30 Announcements and Tuning
6:40 Sectionals (Winds with Dr. Marchese in Jazz Room, Brass with Evan in Percussion Room, Cellists and Bassists in the Band Room, violists in practice room, 1st and 2nds will find space in halls, Jose will coach seconds)
7:15 Mozart (clarinets and lower brass continue sectionals)
7:50 break
8:05 Holst, movement 4, Jupiter (especially beginning to number 13)
8:30 Holst, movement 1, Mars (especially 5 to 6 for all those notes and 7 to 8 for exact rhythm and pitches)

Oh, and the first person to send an e-mail to me at jose@mayomusic.org or a message to me on Facebook indicating they read this will receive special recognition at the next rehearsal.  Even if you don't think you are the first to read the blog, send an e-mail.  Really, I want to know who is reading this.