So, you decided to join an orchestra...

Many of the alumni and current students featured in this blog have said that the Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra is the first orchestra they had or have been in. The first time in an orchestra, or in any situation, can often times be a little overwhelming: where do I need to go? Should I talk to people? Do I need to bring a snack? How early do I need to get there? Where is 'there'? These are some of the questions I asked myself when trying to figure things out at my very first MAYSO rehearsal.

There are many things that may have been nice to know before showing up before that first rehearsal, and that is the focus of this post. I reached out to members of three orchestras, along with alumni of and leaders within MAYSO, to ask them what they would have liked to know for their first rehearsal in an orchestra. This is a summary of their responses, with my own piece of advice included towards the end.

First Rehearsal of the Youth Summer Orchestra

Some of the answers were a bit funny, though still at least somewhat true, such as one person who said, "the notes, lol." Another person, however, noted that the notes are not everything at the first rehearsal. MAYSO can be more musically challenging than what a student might have experienced in their school, but as Carolyn Borgen puts it, "it's OK to suck... I don't think I played even half the notes in the music for the first few weeks." Joining an orchestra can be a bit intimidating, but perfection isn't necessary.

Joint Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra and
Minnesota Valley Chorale rehearsal

Every orchestra is going to be a little bit different. Some orchestras require more time commitment than others, but all orchestras require some commitment to the music. As one person put it, "Orchestra is a very rewarding experience, if you're willing to put in the time and effort to participate in a way that betters the ensemble." Understanding the music, concerning both the context in which it was written and the necessary technique, and listening to the recordings multiple times can be very helpful to get a better idea of the sound.

An orchestra is a bit weird, being both individualistic as soloists and unifying as an ensemble. Joining as a wind player can be especially intimidating, as you are often the only one in your section, therefore treated as a soloist. In band, parts were usually doubled or more, but that doesn't happen as much in an orchestra. In both settings, members are still often expected to blend and create a unifying sound as if there were only one person per section- "the difficulty of knowing when to play more like a soloist than an ensemble member is less difficult in a band setting." Winds are much more exposed in an orchestra, and listening to the other sections is a key skill.

Mankato Area Youth Wind Ensemble rehearsal
with Dr. Amy Roisum-Foley

Joining an ensemble can be intimidating, but being surrounded by musicians that may have years of experience can create an internal pressure to do well. As a new student, you may find yourself comparing yourself to the more experienced individuals. If you find yourself doing this, stop and take a step back (literally, if necessary). I constantly compared myself to others, and it started out just wanting to be as seemingly skilled as the others and improve myself. But as time went on, I ended up giving myself the impossibly high standard of perfection, therefore setting myself up for failure at every turn.

My advice is try not to expect perfection from yourself or compare yourself to others. If you are already a perfectionist, being in an ensemble can worsen those habits,This often a lot easier said than done, but the people that seem like they are doing exceedingly well may be making mistakes that you don't see. So, especially for the first couple rehearsals, focus on working on your own part and listening to how it fits in within your section and within the ensemble, rather than focusing on others' parts. It's okay to critique yourself, but doing so in relation to others can lead to unhealthy habits.

The majority of these tips are from the perspective of college students, quite a few of whose whole lives revolve (or will revolve) around music. A recurring answer in the answers I received was that each player must listen, and while new-comers shouldn't feel shy about playing out, you should also know that an orchestra is still an ensemble that requires communication across all sections. As mentioned earlier concerning wind players, knowing how you fit into the sound of a piece can be difficult to figure out. It a lot of communication across sections and with the conductor, but if you are patient, pay attention, and practice, you will be fine.

My last question for every MAYSO alumni and current student featured on this blog has been, "What advice do you have for prospective students?" Generally, the two primary responses has been to keep music in your life beyond high school and to make friends in what ever ensemble you participate in (NSS, MAYSO, MAYWE, Summer, etc.). Establishing relationships with other musicians beyond the music can be fruitful. Music brings people together, not just with the beautiful sound. Those connections can become lifelong, and making friends wherever you go is generally a good idea in any place. So, don't be shy, and reach out to somebody who plays an instrument that you have perhaps been curious about, but never picked up. You will rarely regret it.