Debut Orchestra Messages – Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra

4/3/2026

REHEARSAL NOTE: Please plan to arrive by 6:30pm. We START rehearsal at 6:45pm and almost half of the orchestra was not ready by that time on Monday, 3/30. Thank you to those who are getting there with time to tune and set-up.

Audition spots for all students are on Monday, 4/20. Seating auditions are required. If your student will be missing rehearsals because of a different spring break, they should be putting in extra practice when they are home (use tracks from the Conductor’s Messages on 3/20/26 for practice guidance). Student’s who miss the seating auditions are ineligible for leadership positions.

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:
Allegro Giocoso, m. 34-58
America’s Cup (2 spots), m. 78-90 and m. 111 to end
For concertmaster position, add: m. 67-78 in America’s Cup

Violin 2:
Allegro Giocoso, m. 62-85
America’s Cup, m. 92-108

Viola:
Allegro Giocoso, m. 127-142
America’s Cup, m. 111-end
Sea of Stars, m. 27-35

Cello:
Allegro Giocoso, m. 1-19 (with one pizz)
America’s Cup, m. 67-85 (both divisi parts learned)
Sea of Stars, m. 27-42

Bass: TBA

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

May 30: Seating Audition spots given in rehearsal (updated on the website by Friday, 4/3)
April 6: Spring Break for BYSO, No Rehearsal
April 20: Seating Auditions at Monday’s Rehearsals
May 16: Final Concert at Bastyr (7:00pm). If you know you won’t be able to attend, please let me know ASAP.

3/20/2026

DID YOU PRINT YOUR MUSIC (BYSO Email sent 3/19 at 4:00PM)?!

Welcome to the Spring Quarter of BYSO!

Remember to PRINT YOUR MUSIC and bring a PENCIL. It also doesn’t hurt to label all your things, so we can get it back to you if it gets lost. 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:

Allegro Giocoso by Brahms

America’s Cup by Silva

Sea of Stars by Liam Ramsey-White

Composer information:

Johannes Brahms

Alan Lee Silva

Liam Ramsey-White

Stay tuned! There will possibly be another piece 🙂

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
- May 30: Seating Audition spots given in rehearsal (updated on the website by Friday, 4/3)
- April 6: Spring Break for BYSO, No Rehearsal
- April 20: Seating Auditions at Monday’s Rehearsals
- May 16: Final Concert at Bastyr (7:00pm). If you know you won’t be able to attend, please let me know ASAP.

2/27/2026

Today, 2/27, you should have received information for our concert on Saturday, March 14th at Meydenbauer Theatre. We have two rehearsals left!

All musicians should arrive promptly at 2:00 pm in uniform, with their music and instrument.
Be IN your concert attire when you arrive, get tuned, and head to the stage for our on-stage warm-up.

Note about concert attire: 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

2/1/2026

Mark your calendars! Retreat & Seating Audition Information:

Retreat: Odle Middle School on Saturday, 2/7 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.

Seating Auditions: Monday, 2/9 (rehearsal)

Seating auditions are NOT optional. If you miss the auditions, you will be placed at the end of your section

Violin 1: Declarations: none, Divertimento: mm. 1-12 AND mm. 36-54, Waltz: 85-98 for the section. If you’d like to audition for concertmaster/solo, please also prepare Waltz: mm. 69-76
Violin 2: Declarations: mm. 1-11, Divertimento: mm. 6-22, Waltz: mm. 13-21
Viola: Declarations: mm. 23-33, Divertimento: mm. 15-22, Waltz: mm. 85-end
Cello: Declarations: mm. 1-10, Divertimento: mm. 41-53, and Waltz: mm. 53-68
Bass: Declarations: mm. 1-10, Divertimento: mm. 41-53, and Waltz: mm. 53-68

1/26/2026

See you tonight! Remember we enter through a different door and start in sectionals. Bring a pencil for marking your music AND WRITING DOWN SEATING AUDITION SPOTS!

1/11/2026

Are you ready for our 2nd rehearsal?!

Our first sectionals happen at our rehearsal on 1/12.
We will meet all together to tune and warm-up and then you will join your coach to work through your music.
Please bring a pencil and make sure you have reviewed your music so you are not sight-reading.

1/3/2026

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 there will be assigned seats. Please see the seating chart when you arrive. 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.

Want to hear what we’re playing?! Here are the links:

Recordings: Declarations, Divertimento No. 3, River Valley Waltz

Stand partner question of the week: What’s your name and what was the best part of your break?

Names of our Fabulous Coaches:

Assistant Conductor: Mrs. Marianna Vail
1st Violins: Coach Caroline Faflak
2nd Violins: Mrs. Megan Jancola
Violas: Mrs. Marianna Vail
Cellos: Ms. Janice Lee
Bass: Coach Moe Weisner

Mark your calendar:

January 5 – First Rehearsal!
January 26 – Seating Audition Spots Given at Rehearsal (posted online by January 30)
February 7 – Fall Retreat (time to meet your peers, do some fun activities, and practice for your seating auditions)
February 9 – Seating Auditions at our Monday Rehearsal (no make-up auditions/videos accepted)
March 14 – Concert at Meydenbauer Theatre at 3:00pm (student call time will be earlier)

Don’t forget your…

11/5/2025 (no rehearsal on Monday, 11/10 in observance of Veteran’s Day)

One rehearsal to go until we perform! Are you ready?! **Note: Students who miss our rehearsal on 11/17 might be asked to record a video to participate in the concert. Please make sure you’re there for our final rehearsal!

CONCERT DETAILS | Saturday, November 22 @ 7:00 pm

CALL TIME | 5:15 pm
All musicians should arrive promptly 5:15 pm. The dress rehearsal is from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

DROP OFF
Musicians can be dropped off via the parking lot next to Bastyr University Chapel.

PARKING
Parking is free in the lot next to the Bastyr University Chapel.

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.

10/24/2025

Thank you for your preparation for seating auditions! Our group has made leaps and bounds in our rehearsals since the retreat.

Seating on Monday: A new seating chart will be ready at Monday’s rehearsal. Remember, every player contributes to our sound as a group. If you don’t get the chair you wanted this time, remember there are more opportunities throughout the year to change seating. I will meet with section leaders at the beginning of rehearsal on Monday to go over your role with the orchestra.

Costumes on Monday (from the BYSO newsletter):

In keeping with what’s becoming a fun tradition, you’re invited to come dressed in your Halloween costume and get ready for some early trick-or-treat fun — yes, there will be candy!

Costumes are totally optional, it is just a lighthearted way to add some extra spirit and fun to our rehearsal time together. If you do choose to dress up, please remember to keep costumes respectful of all cultures and backgrounds. A good rule of thumb: if it’s something you’d be allowed to wear to school, it’s perfect for rehearsal.

10/8/2025

Mark your calendars:

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.

Songs for Fall 2025: A Musical Journey

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!

Songs for Fall 2025: A Musical Journey

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)

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.

Songs for Fall 2025: A Musical Journey

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)

See you on Monday, 9/22/25!

Mrs. Ewing (You-ing)

Some helpful tools: