Our 2025 Winter Concert Series is just around the corner! Scroll down for details.
Winter Quarter music was sent out via the newsletter on January 3rd. The newsletter was sent via email to the primary email address we have on file for each enrolled student. To download music, click the following link and enter the password found in that newsletter: Winter Quarter 2025 Music.
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.
WINTER QUARTER 2025 DETAILS
Rehearsals
Winter Quarter Dates
Mondays from 6:45 – 8:15 pm
1/6, 1/13, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10
There is no rehearsal on 1/20 and 2/17.
Rehearsal Location
Drop Off/ Pick Up
Lake Washington High School
Plan on prompt drop off and pick up to avoid
12033 NE 80th St
congestion.
Kirkland, WA 98033
Retreat
Time & Date
Lake Washington High School
Saturday, March 1 (12:30 pm – 3:30 pm)
12033 NE 80th St
NEW DATE!
Kirkland, WA 98033
Concert
Time & Date
Meydenbauer Theater
Saturday, March 15 at 7:00 pm
11100 NE 6th St
Call time is 6:00 pm. See below for
Bellevue, WA 98004
more details.
Student Checklist
Bring a music stand
Bring a pencil
Bring a water bottle
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.
CALL TIME | 6:00 PM All musicians should arrive promptly 6:00 pm.
LOCATION Meydenbauer Center Theater: 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004
DROP OFF Musicians can be dropped off via the Meydenbauer parking garage. Please see Meydenbauer’s website for prices.
CONCERT ATTIRE Be sure to check your ensemble’s concert attire requirements.Students must arrive wearing their concert clothing. They will not have a place to change later.
VOLUNTEERS – WE NEED YOU! Volunteers will be a vital part of a successful day at Meydenbauer for all of our students. We need volunteers to help the check in process and supporting ensembles during their dress rehearsals. Volunteers have early access to reserve their seats in the hall. Click here to sign up now!
CONCERT TICKETS Tickets are now available for purchase for families of enrolled BYSO students, limited to 2 tickets per enrolled student per concert. If available, additional tickets will be opened to the public on February 27.
SPRING QUARTER 2025
Rehearsals will be at Lake Washington High School on Mondays from 6:45 pm to 8:15 pm on the following dates: 3/24, 3/31, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, and 5/12. There is no rehearsal on April 7 for Spring Break.
Full Spring Quarter details will be posted on this page as March 24 gets closer. Until then, email admin@byso.org with any questions.
About
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.
Our concert is on Saturday, March 15th at 7:00pm at Meydenbauer Theater with Philharmonia. Students are required to stay for the entire performance. We should be done around 8:00pm.
All musicians should arrive promptly at 6:00 pm
Be IN your concert attire when you arrive, get tuned, and head to the stage for our on-stage warm-up.
Concert Attire: Remember, this is a formal performance. Please choose your uniform accordingly. No casual sneakers, please.
Black mask (optional)
White shirt or blouse with 3/4 to full-length sleeves
Black pants/skirt (knee length or lower)
Black shoes (and black socks, if applicable)
Religious head coverings: plain black
2/23/2025
New seats at rehearsal tomorrow (2/24)! Please try to arrive by 6:30pm to find your new spot and to meet your new stand partner. There will be print outs by the door, with coaches, and on my stand. Our concert song order is: Sleeping Beauty, Iridescence, Boreas
New Section Leaders: Evelyn L, Jaemin S, Lydia Z, Manas P, Nathan D, Jane B, Maya T, Claire Y, Trevor D
♥Please think about what it means to be a leader. We will meet at the beginning of the rehearsal for introductions and to discuss your roles for this concert.
Retreat Information: Saturday, March 1 Check In: 12:15 pm Rehearsal Time: 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm ***Location: Lake Washington High School | 12033 NE 80th St, Kirkland, WA 98033
What to Bring:
• Your instrument
• Your music (no stands!)
• A pencil
• A water bottle
There will be a snack and an activity. Please remember to submit an absence if you will not be attending so we can plan for who will be there and who will not.
2/8/2025
Retreat POSTPONED to March 1st !
I will miss making music with your student today! We will still plan for seating auditions on Monday but we’ll move to make them optional for those interested in a leadership position (concertmaster and/or principal of their section).
Keep practicing and we’ll see you on Monday (we hope!)
2/2/2025: NO STANDS NECESSARY on MONDAY, 2/3
Mark your calendars! Retreat & Seating Audition Information:
Our retreat will be at Odle Middle School on Saturday, 2/8 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.
I’m excited to do a STEM project at break that ties into our piece Iridescence!
We will hold seating auditions on Monday, 2/10 at rehearsal
Seating auditions are NOT optional. If you miss the auditions, you will be placed at the end of your section
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: Sleeping Beauty: mm. 33-61, Boreas: mm. 49-67 (no Iridescence)
Violin 2: Sleeping Beauty: mm. 51-63, Iridescence: mm. 45-55, Boreas mm. 49-67
Viola: Sleeping Beauty: mm. 33-61, Iridescence: mm. 10-20 AND 26-34, Boreas: mm. 38-48
Cello: Sleeping Beauty: m. 69-91, Iridescence: mm. 30-42, Boreas: mm. 39-50
Bass: Iridescence: mm. 26-35 and Boreas: mm. 89-97 (no Sleeping Beauty)
1/26/2025
BRING YOUR STAND and PENCIL on Monday, 1/27 – We will not have access to the stands at Lake Washington HS!
6:45-7:35:
Violin 1 and Violin 2 will report to the 2nd floor, North Pod
Vla, Cello and Bass: Report to the 1st floor, North Pod
7:45-8:15:
Violins join the vla/cello/bass for a combined play-through
Plan ahead: Our retreat is at Odle on 2/8 from 12:30-3:30pm
Seating audition spots will be announced tonight, but here are some that I have already:
Violin 1: Sleeping Beauty: mm. 33-61, Boreas: mm. 49-67
Violin 2: Sleeping Beauty: mm. 51-63, Iridescence: mm. 45-55, Boreas mm. 49-67
Viola: TBA
Cello: Sleeping Beauty: m. 69-91, Iridescence: mm. 30-42, Boreas: mm. 39-50
Bass: TBA
1/4/2025
Hello Debut Musicians and Families!
Welcome to the Winter Quarter of BYSO! New to us? Learn “About Me” HERE!
Remember to bring your PRINTED music and a PENCIL to the first rehearsal and label everything (no stands are necessary). We’re a big group, so I’ll have some seats assigned to help you find your spot. We will be sight-reading our new music, which can be tricky, so hang in there! No one is expected to know the music perfectly the first night. Especially as the music bumps up a level!
Want to hear what we’re playing?! Here are the links:
Stand partner question of the week: What’s your name and what was the best part of your break?
Names of our Fabulous Coaches:
1st Violins: Coach Caroline Faflak
2nd Violins and Assistant Conductor: Mrs. Marianna Vail
1st and 2nd Violins: Mrs. Megan Jancola
Violas: Coach Rafael Howell-Flores
Cellos: Ms. Janice Lee
Bass: Coach Moe Weisner
Don’t forget your…
12/24/2024
Happy Holidays, Everyone!
I hope you’re enjoying the season and finding time to practice and play your instrument! Music for Winter (starting on Jan. 6) will be available in early January. Keep your eyes peeled once we hit 2025!
No rehearsal next Monday, November 11 (Veteran’s Day)
Our concert is on Saturday, November 23 at 3:00pm at Bastyr University Chapel, 14500 Juanita Dr. NE, Kenmore, WA 98028
All musicians should arrive promptly at 2:00 pm
Be IN your concert attire when you arrive, get tuned, and head to the stage for our on-stage warm-up.
Concert Attire:
Black mask (optional)
White shirt or blouse with 3/4 to full-length sleeves
Black pants/skirt (knee length or lower)
Black shoes (and black socks, if applicable)
Religious head coverings: plain black
10/23/2024
Nice job with seating auditions, Debut! Remember, they are just a snapshot in time and don’t reflect on you as a person or on your overall playing ability. Wherever you sit, your part is important to the group as a whole.
10/28 Rehearsal Information:
Arrive by 6:30pm to find your new seat and meet your new stand partner
You will be receiving your BYSO sweatshirt at this rehearsal. Don’t leave without it!
COSTUMES ARE WELCOME! It’s the week of Halloween and we want to see your fun costumes! Please make sure you can play your instrument in your costume. If you can’t see or hold your instruments correctly (or get too hot!), you might need to remove part of your costume.
10/15/2024
RETREAT COLOR CHALLENGE: Let’s see what section can show the most section pride! Colors to wear for retreat (please, don’t buy anything special, just wear whatever you have and I’ll have stickers if you don’t have anything in your section’s color!)
Violin 1: Black
Violin 2: Green
Viola: Purple
Cello: Blue
Bass: Red
See below for more retreat and audition info!
10/10/2024
Mark your calendars!
October 19 – Fall Retreat at Odle
October 21 – Seating Auditions
Our retreat will be at Odle Middle School on Saturday, 10/19 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.
RETREAT COLOR CHALLENGE: On Monday, 10/14, your section will decide what color they want your section to wear at he retreat. Let’s see what section can show the most section pride!
We will hold seating auditions on Monday, 10/21 at rehearsal
Seating auditions are NOT optional. If you miss the auditions, you will be placed at the end of your section.
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: Epic Adventure: mm. 61-78
An Irish Journey: mm. 107 – end
Assemble the Minions: mm. 88 – end
Violin 2: An Irish Journey: mm. 16-26 & mm. 73-81
Assemble the Minions: mm. 17-29
Viola:
Epic Adventure: mm. 38-52
An Irish Journey: mm.105-119
Assemble the Minions: mm. 21-33 & mm. 41-49
Cello: Epic Adventure: mm. 76-94 An Irish Journey: mm. 79-100
Assemble the Minions: mm. 17-31 & mm. 96-end (with metronome)
Bass: An Irish Journey, mm. 9-29 & mm. 92-108
9/29/2024
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 19th.
Challenge: Learn your the name of your coach! No, “Hey, you!” or “That one guy/girl” – ha!
Updated, 9/16/2024 (August 20, 2024)
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!
Please plan to bring a pencil and your music in a folder to the first rehearsal and label everything! We’re a big group, so I’ll have seats assigned to help you find your spot.
Things you can do to feel more confident sight-reading at our first rehearsal:
Print out your music when it’s becomes available
Mental Practice/Preparation: Listen to the recordings (links will be updated closer to our first rehearsal) to hear what the pieces sound like…even better if you can follow along with the music. You are NOT expected to know your music perfectly the first night!
Find out what key each piece is in and try to play a scale in that key.
Look for anything you don’t recognize or might have a question about and ask about them in rehearsal or with your private teacher.
