(Note: I've made Roger's comments regarding the Pitt Magazine feature on our orchestra into a separate post since they include announcements about auditions and the first meeting. —Phil Thompson, communications coordinator)
1. … and this year promises to be even more exciting (not to mention suspenseful!)
For orchestra members who are returning,
our first meeting is Wednesday August 29th in Bellefield Hall Auditorium
7:30 pm - strings only: Grieg: Holberg Suite
8:00 pm – Stravinsky: Petrushka
Auditions for incoming members will be held on Monday - Wednesday, August 27 - 29th. There is an audition sign-up sheet posted in the 1st floor hallway of the Music Building.
I might as well include the syllabus and schedule for Fall 07:
2. University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Fall 2007 Syllabus
Music 0620 Section 1010 Lec 10595 Wednesday evenings 7:30 – 9:30 P
All meetings are held in Bellefield Hall Auditorium unless otherwise stated.
Director/Instructor: Roger Zahab office phone 412 624 4017; rzahab@pitt.edu
This is a major ensemble as well as a 1-credit course. The syllabus outlines course goals and requirements as well as musical ground rules and expectations. Whether you are registered for this as a course or are a non-registered member, your grade and/or musical pleasure depends on carefully following the following very
Simple but Important rules:
1) All Wednesday night rehearsals begin with strings at 7:30 pm, then woodwinds, brass, percussion and keyboards joining in at 8 pm. Rehearsals end at 9:30 pm.
2) I expect to be notified of any absences in advance of the event in writing via email (rzahab@pitt.edu) or voicemail (412 624 4017).
3) Unless other arrangements have been made with me, I expect all participants to be in their seats, tuned and ready to go at 7:30 and to stay until the end of the rehearsal.
4) Additional rehearsals – usually the dress - will be scheduled on Monday nights as needed, but these fall outside the class meeting times and are not mandatory.
5) Please make sure you bring a pencil (with eraser) to all rehearsals, as there is usually a lot of information to add to the parts. Do not mark your parts in ink!!! Also please do not fold, spindle or mutilate…
6) Learn the notes on your own time (PRACTICE), we rehearse to play well together.
7) Make Sure Your mobile devices are Turned OFF! Complete attention is expected.
Disability? If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Office of Disability Resources and Services, 216 William Pitt Union (412) 624-7890 as early as possible in the term.
Goals for the Orchestra:
a). explore the art of music performance and give high-spirited and insightful performances of great and/or unusual works from the entire range of Art Music.
b.) develop skills as orchestral musicians which will be useful in others areas of professional and social life. Learn how to “play well with others”: develop the skills of careful attention in listening to others, total concentration in performing difficult and dangerous tasks and supporting others with your own strengths.
Concert dress: Black or dark blue clothing that is comfortable yet stylish (a little bit of lighter color is fine, but mostly dark makes us more visible on stage)– we are Artists, after all.
University Orchestra Schedule Fall 2007:
First meeting is Wednesday August 29th in Bellefield Hall Auditorium
7:30 pm - strings only: Grieg: Holberg Suite
8:00 pm – Stravinsky: Petrushka
Concert I
Wed. Sept 26, 2007 at 8 pm in Bellefield Hall Auditorium
Edvard Grieg: Holberg Suite
John Cage: Twenty-three
Recording Session
Wed. October 10th from 7:30 – 9:30 pm in Bellefield Hall Auditorium
Zahab: ardent life with Andrew Levin, trumpet soloist
Stravinsky: Petrushka (highlights)
Concert II
Friday October 26, 2007 at 8 PM – Epiphany Catholic Church
Max Bruch: Romanze for viola and orchestra with Sarah Albani, sola viola
Camille Saint-Saens: Symphony no. 3 (Organ Symphony)
Concert III
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007 at 8pm in Bellefield Hall Auditorium
Felix Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture
Johannes Brahms: Symphony no. 1
… and this year promises to be even more exciting (not to mention suspenseful!
For orchestra members who are returning,
our first meeting is Wednesday August 29th in Bellefield Hall Auditorium
7:30 pm - strings only: Grieg: Holberg Suite
8:00 pm – Stravinsky: Petrushka