Fall music links are now available! Instructions on how to access and print your music was sent out via the weekly newsletter on Thursday, September 18 at 4:00 pm. Check your spam/junk folder if you don’t see it. If you still don’t see it, email admin@byso.org for instructions.
Rehearsals will be held on Monday evenings from 6:45 – 8:15 pm. Musicians are expected to arrive and be prepared to rehearse 15 minutes prior to start time.
Print your sheet music prior to first rehearsal (using link at top of this page) and bring with you to rehearsal
Arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of rehearsal to ensure you are in your chair and ready to play at the start of rehearsal
Have fun!
ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR LAST REHEARSAL BEFORE THE CONCERT
Students who miss the final Monday night rehearsal before a concert may be required to submit a video recording of the seating audition excerpts (posted on the Debut page of the BYSO website) in order to be deemed eligible to participate in the concert.
If a test is required, the student must submit it no later than 11:59 PM Thursday evening. Mrs. Ewing will review the submissions Friday morning and notify the student and parents of the results. Failure to submit a video may result in the student being disqualified from playing in the concert.
Debut String Orchestra is an advanced entry-level orchestra for strings. This BYSO ensemble is designed for progressing students on violin, viola, cello, and double bass who have 3+ years of experience on their instrument and some prior orchestra experience. The typical Debut String Orchestra student plays with solid first-position technique and has some early higher position knowledge.
Debut String Orchestra students improve their note-reading and rhythm skills while they become more confident playing as an ensemble. Past works performed include arrangements of Mozart’s Symphony No. 15, Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances, and Spata’s Maharaja.
Recent Debut String Ensemble Performance
Conductor: Mollie Ewing
Mollie Ewing is a freelance adjudicator, clinician, and conductor for school districts around the region. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Master of Educational Leadership degree from the University of Portland. Mrs. Ewing taught orchestra in the Issaquah School District from 2001 to 2010 and is currently teaching orchestra at Risdon Middle School in the Renton School District. Learn more.
October 18 – Fall Retreat (time to meet your peers, do some fun activities, and practice for your seating auditions). Our retreat will be at Odle Middle School on Saturday, 10/18 from 12:30-3:30pm. Retreats are NOT optional. Please submit an absence report if your student will not be attending or if they are coming late/leaving early. We will rehearse, play games, and have sectionals in preparation for seating auditions.
October 20 – Seating Auditions at our Monday Rehearsal (no make-up auditions/videos accepted). Seating auditions are NOT optional. If you miss the auditions, you will be placed at the end of your section.
This week: PRACTICE and LISTEN to your music! Many people were sight-reading at rehearsal on Monday (after 3 weeks!). Next rehearsal will be the half-way point to our concert.
Seating Audition Information: During seating auditions, coaches will listen to students individually to help place students in the section. The coaches and I are looking for students who have shown mastery on their parts (posture/technique, bowing, intonation, rhythmic accuracy, expression), and also students who have demonstrated good preparation each week and strong rehearsal etiquette.
Violin 1: Hansel and Gretel, mm. 16-20
Drinking Gourd, mm. 44-61 (downbeat)
Mythos, mm. 3-17
Violin 2:
Hansel and Gretel, mm. 75-end
Drinking Gourd, mm. 44-52
Mythos (none)
Viola: Hansel and Gretel, mm. 42-52
Drinking Gourd, mm. 44-61
Mythos, mm. 35-64 (make sure to show bowing at the lower half)
Cello: Hansel and Gretel, mm. 11-24
Drinking Gourd, mm. 28-44
Mythos (none)
10/2/2025
This week: Seating audition spots will be given at sectionals on 10/6
Challenge: Learn someone’s name from each section in the orchestra (Vln1, Vln2, Vla, Cello)
Practice: Have you used a metronome to practice your piece? Try it! Look for the metronome markings at the beginning of each piece (or section). Don’t see one? Ask me or your coach!
October 6 – Seating Audition Spots Given at Rehearsal (posted online by October 8)
October 18 – Fall Retreat (time to meet your peers, do some fun activities, and practice for your seating auditions)
October 20 – Seating Auditions at our Monday Rehearsal (no make-up auditions/videos accepted)
9/26/2025
This week: Bring your pencils!
Sectionals start this week and you’ll want to mark all the special information your coaches give you. This is a way to start strong and be prepared for seating auditions on October 18th.
Challenge: Learn the name of your sectional coach! No, “Hey, you!” or “That one guy/girl”
Mark your calendar:
October 6 – Seating Audition Spots Given at Rehearsal (posted online by October 8)
October 18 – Fall Retreat (time to meet your peers, do some fun activities, and practice for your seating auditions)
October 20 – Seating Auditions at our Monday Rehearsal (no make-up auditions/videos accepted)
8/18/2025, Updated 9/15/2025
Hello Debut Musicians and Families!
Welcome to the best group out there (totally biased!). I’m excited to make music with you this year. Learn “About Me” HERE!
This is where you’ll look for recordings of the songs that we’ll be playing and important rehearsal notes. Links to print your music will be sent to your parent’s email. Don’t forget to print your music before our first rehearsal, put it in a folder, and write your name on it. Also, bring a pencil to mark your music.
Things to think about: Have you ever been on a trip or a “journey”? What kind of journey do Hansel and Gretel go on? See if you can discover what kind of a journey Follow the Drinking Gourd is about (hint: the “drinking gourd” is another name for the Big Dipper). Have you ever read any Greek or Roman Mythology? Does Percy Jackson come to mind? Think about those journeys as we play Mythos by the one and only, Soon Hee Newbold!
Mark your calendar:
September 22 – First Rehearsal!
October 6 – Seating Audition Spots Given at Rehearsal (posted online by October 8)
October 18 – Fall Retreat (time to meet your peers, do some fun activities, and practice for your seating auditions)
October 20 – Seating Auditions at our Monday Rehearsal (no make-up auditions/videos accepted)
