Premiere Orchestra

Conductor: David Drassal

David Drassal holds a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Central Washington University. Mr. Drassal currently teaches orchestra at Tyee Middle School in the Bellevue School District. Learn more.

Contact David Drassal at premiere@byso.org

Messages from the Conductor

Have a good, safe summer break

We are certainly disappointed with how abruptly our 2019-2020 season ended. Thank you for your continued support of BYSO through your efforts and contributions with our Virtual fundraiser last month. Please look ahead at the audition materials for fall auditions and stay tuned for more information about when those will be happening this fall.

We are all looking forward to when we can be back together in person again. Until then we hope you and your families have an enjoyable and safe summer break.

Mr. Drassal and Mr. Petersen

June, 2020- The Nashville Symphony Orchestra Celebrates Beethoven

In commemoration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday this year, the Nashville Symphony and their music director Giancarlo Guerrero let discussions each Wednesday about each of Beethoven’s symphonies. These are very engaging and informative and I hope you will check them out. I just watched the Beethoven 5 video. I love how he is able to explain this complex music in such an easy-to-follow format.

https://www.nashvillesymphony.org/giancarloathome?fbclid=IwAR1hoyxPYTsMlIIaDdjgOhFoYQKM0BOkr4iYf5GkdYmpsH7NPV9NXX1xCt0

May, 2020

Thank you for all your amazing support this year, especially this Spring during our Garden Party fundraiser! Many of you have contributed financially and musically to the success of this virtual event and we want you to know how much we appreciate each and every one of you in our youth symphony family.

If you have not had a chance yet, please check out the videos from the entire garden party. We are all so grateful to each student and staff performer who shared their music with us. Your contributions make BYSO the wonderful organization that it is. Please stay safe and stay tuned for more information about when we will all be able to resume rehearsals and events in person.

In the meantime, please look at the audition requirements for Sinfonia and begin preparing your next audition with your private teachers.

Mr. Drassal and Mr. Petersen

Winter Quarter- January-March 2020

• Program:
  • Sarabande and Allegro- Corelli
  • Hungarian Dance No. 6- Brahms

• SEATING AUDITION SPOTS FOR FEBRUARY 1, 2020

• You will be asked to perform one or two of the following passages of music. You coach will be listening for and adjudicating on the following:
  • Overall tone quality
  • Correct notes and rhythms
  • Appropriate style for the music, including bowing style
  • Phrasing and dynamics
  • Tempo and pulse control- as close to concert tempo as you can comfortably perform

  Flute:

  • Allegro 36-55, 89-end
  • Nocturne 16-27, 42-50, 64-80
  • Hungarian Dance 22-40, 43-59

  Oboe:

  • Allegro 36-55, 89-end
  • Nocturne 16-27, 42-50, 64-80
  • Hungarian Dance 22-40, 43-59

  Clarinet:

  • Allegro 41-64
  • Nocturne 1-17, 38-50
  • Hungarian Dance 22-40, 43-59

  Trumpet:

  • Allegro 25-30, 97-end
  • Nocturne 1-17, 26-35, 55-76
  • Hungarian Dance 22-30, 116-128

  Violin 1 and 2

  • Allegro 18-29, 89-end
  • Nocturne 16-27, 43-50
  • Hungarian Dance 22-40, 116-end

  Viola:

  • Allegro 18-29, 89-end
  • Nocturne 16-27, 43-50
  • Hungarian Dance 22-40, 116-end

  Cello

  • Allegro 18-29, 89-end
  • Nocturne 16-27, 43-50
  • Hungarian Dance 22-40, 116-end

  Bass

  • Allegro 18-29, 89-end
  • Nocturne 16-27, 43-50
  • Hungarian Dance 22-40, 116-end

• Tempo Markings for your home practice:
  • Sarabande- Quarter note = 60
  • Allegro- Quarter note = 120
  • Nocturne- Quarter note = 72
  • Hungarian Dance-
    • Moderato sections- Quarter note = 76
    • Vivo sections- Quarter note = 140
    • Allegro at measure 22- Quarter note = 140
    • Maestoso at measure 43- Quarter note =120
    • Allegro at 96 to the end- Quarter note = 124