NOVAE SINFONIA FALL 2025
announcements:
Our next rehearsal will be Sunday May 3rd from 3:00-5:00PM at Rancho Pico Junior High.
PRACTICE ASSIGNMENT:
Hi Novae,
Great work yesterday! We have two rehearsals left!!
God Only Knows:
This week please listen to Beach Boys "God Only Knows" to get more comfortable with the swung rhythms.
Original - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u90beUXTKwo
Our arrangement - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMbEyNFRPWI
Stravinsky:
Stravinsky:
Movement 2
- Work with a metronome to get to dotted quarter = 112! That will be our performance tempo.
- strings, make sure the offbeats at rehearsal 6 are clean
- brass, make sure the feature at rehearsal 6 is nice and loud. You're our melody there!
- woodwinds, look at rehearsal 10 to make sure those interlocking parts are clean and rhythmically accurate.
Movement 3
- the performance tempo goal for this is eighth note = 130!
- Something helpful that I do in my score and parts I have to perform is draw a line over where all the big beats occur. That way, it helps me keep time and know where I'm supposed to play without having to do the math everytime! See attached picture for reference.
- strings, please mark your parts with those lines from the beginning to rehearsal 4, and at rehearsal 7
- winds and brass, focus on making all of your solo moments nice and lyrical. We really want to hear the contrast between the angular string part and your nice melodies!
Movements 1 and 4 came together really nicely, but make sure you take a look at those movements this week. Focus on playing with dynamics!
Carmen/Habanera/Holberg:
Look through this week and review any tricky sections!
Rehearsal Schedule:
3-3:45 - Carmen Suite / Habanera ORCHESTRA VERSION
3:45-3:55 - God Only Knows (Beach Boys)
3:55-4:10 - Break
4:10-4:40 - Stravinsky (percussion dismissed)
4:40-5:00 - Holberg (non-strings dismissed)
Please make sure to go through the email Xaman sent yesterday with information on all of our upcoming events!
Important Spring Dates:
May 16th, 2026 Spring Banquet
May 17th, 2026 Canyon High School Performing Arts Center, 2PM
May 24th, 2026 CalArts Wild Beast Pavillion, 4PM
Suite No. 1 for Small Orchestra│1925
igor stravinsky (1882-1971)
ATTENDANCE POLICY
As an orchestra, our collective sound is determined by the effort of every individual in the ensemble, and our ability to prepare a wonderful concert relies on the presence in rehearsal of every musician.
We have a lot of music to learn in a short amount of time, which means each week we are making changes to timing, bowings, articulation and more. When we are missing section members or individual parts, it’s difficult to progress as a group, because we end up spending a large portion of rehearsal time re-learning things we covered in previous rehearsals.
For this reason, we are clarifying our policies around tardiness and attendance.
TARDINESS:
Rehearsals will always begin on time - this means you should plan to arrive with ample time to unpack, warm up, and be in your seats ready to play at least 5 minutes BEFORE the start of rehearsal. (We recommend arriving at COC at least 15 minutes before the start of rehearsal).
In order to avoid unnecessary disruptions to rehearsal, moving forward we will close the door at the start of rehearsal. Late arrivals will be asked to wait outside for the first 10 minutes of rehearsal, during which time they can unpack their instruments, and get their music, stand and pencil ready to go. 10 minutes after the start of rehearsal, all latecomers will be admitted at once and ask to quickly and quietly take their seats.
ABSENCES:
Students are allowed a maximum of 3 excused absences per semester. After this point, ensemble directors will initiate a conversation with the student and parents to determine if the student will realistically be prepared to perform in the final concert.
If you plan to be absent, or have to miss a portion of rehearsal, please submit the ONLINE ABSENCE NOTIFICATION FORM at least 24 hours in advance, whenever possible.
IMPORTANT DATES
First Day of Rehearsal:
February 8th, 2026 3:00-5:00PM, Rancho Pico Junior High
May Concerts:
May 17th, 2026 Canyon High School Performing Arts Center, 2PM
May 24th, 2026 CalArts Wild Beast Pavillion, 4PM