Thanks to Matt Kowalski for conducting the first part of this week’s rehearsal. I appreciate your preparation and work with the group, Matt. Here are my reflections on this rehearsal.

Sullivan – I had asked Matt to specifically work on the barrage of notes throughout all movements at a slower pace. Please consider this as you prepare these movements for the next rehearsal on September 30.

Styne – I liked a lot of what I heard, but we will need to work at creating a “pit orchestra” kind of sound that is filled with big Broadway sound and excitement. Next rehearsal: September 23.

Avshalomov – I have to say that I am liking this piece more as we actually start to rehearse it. I think the success will be in the details. Next Monday, I plan to quickly review movements 1 & 2, then rehearse movements 3 & 4.

Whitacre – We definitely need to approach this movement carefully and steadily. Please practice the section I rehearsed (m.1-65) so we can review it at a higher level, then move on to rehearse the next section, m.65-124. Next rehearsal: September 23.

Marquez – We were right on the edge of starting to listen more carefully to the internal lines and created a more balanced (and therefore more symphonic) sound, when we ran out of time. This will be paramount to allowing this gorgeous piece to blossom. Next rehearsal: September 23.

That’s the basic run-down. Please check the Rehearsal This Week page for the rehearsal timeline and last minute updates. See you Monday!