How to Prepare a LOT of Music

My first rehearsal of the 2023-2024 season is tomorrow! In just our first week, we're playing:

• Salonen

• La Mer

• Villa-Lobos

• Stravinsky

• Shostakovich

It's pretty intimidating, so I wanted to share the process I use when I have A LOT of music to prepare. I call it my GORP—General Orchestra Repertoire Preparation. 

• Two weeks before the first rehearsal, I do one pass through the entire piece with a metronome or recording, or both (usually with a rubber practice mute).

• I find and target trouble spots, and mark them with colored sticky tabs. 

• I mark the metronome marking I was able to attain that day.

As I go through each piece slowly and softly, I focus on these five areas:

• Rhythm

• Intonation

• Sound quality/resonance

• Articulation

• Phrasing

Big orchestra jobs can be overwhelming if you don't have a process. My GORP gives me structure and a plan, so that I can show up to every rehearsal prepared (no matter HOW much repertoire they throw at me). 

“If you’re gonna run with the BIG DOGS, you gotta get off the porch."

How is your practice going? Do you have more music to play than time to practice? I'm happy to strategize with you, so click here to find a time for us to chat if that would be helpful.

Happy practicing,

Mick @ The Viola Pro