The following information applies to Preparatory Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra Winds, Brass, and Percussion musicians. Please read the information thoroughly so that your rehearsal time can be the most productive.

Youth Band members will receive instruction on rehearsal format gradually throughout the year.

Rehearsal Format

Our wind and brass sections will begin most rehearsal with a wind/brass sectional in a separate room. This allows us to work on wind-specific technique, material, and ensemble issues.

Schedule and Format

Sectional rehearsals take place in the first part of each semester and usually cease 3 to 4 weeks before the concert.

Setup and Tear-Down

If sectional rehearsals are scheduled, please retrieve your stand from the main rehearsal room and find your seat in the sectional room. After sectional rehearsal, you will take your stand with you back to the main rehearsal room.

Part Assignments and Preparation

General part assignments are given at the beginning of the year. Rotation assignments are given within the first two weeks. You should prepare your primary assigned part, but please review and be familiar with the other parts. For example, if you are assigned Clarinet 2, please bring the other Clarinet parts (1 and 3) to each rehearsal.

We ask our musicians to play as much as possible. If you are not playing your primary part, you should be doubling the next part down (e.g. if you are assigned clarinet 1 and you have a significant rest, you should be doubling clarinet 2 if it is playing, or clarinet 3 if available).

In Preparatory Orchestra, trumpet, trombone, and tuba players will double some of the other sections.

Part covering is an integral skill requirement for wind and brass players in symphony orchestras.

Score Study and Large Rests

It is common that wind, brass, and percussion instruments have extended rests. During this time, you should have the score available and be following along, learning about how the entire symphony is structured. The score is often too long to print, so we recommend you bring the PDF file on an electronic device such as a tablet or phone. All scores are available in the sheet music folder.

Please Bring

All your own parts, including your primary part and all other parts for your instrument. 

Your instrument in working order. We do not have instrument technicians on site.

To make the best use of your time, please check the rehearsal plan that is sent each week by e-mail. Please make every effort to be present if a coach is scheduled for the day.

Score Study

Score study is encouraged for all our members at the Preparatory Orchestra Level and above. This involves watching the full conductor’s score when the conductor is working on a section that is not your own. This is the only time that electronic devices are allowed during rehearsal. Students may keep the score as a PDF on their phone or tablet. All scores are available in our Sheet Music folder. Wind, Brass, and Percussion players are especially encouraged to study scores as they tend to have more down time than string players.

Rehearsal Format

Learning to work as an artist and team member in a symphonic percussion section is a rewarding and challenging experience. CVYO’s symphonic training program is designed to develop the skills and experience needed for symphonic percussionists. CVYO’s locker of fine symphonic percussion instruments will be available to our percussionist members.

Schedule and Format

During the primary portion of the year, Preparatory and Symphony Orchestras begin with a strings/winds sectional rehearsal. The sectional focuses on the focus material for the week and wind/string specific work. During the sectional portion, percussionists can:

• Sit in with the strings to practice placement and ensemble at low dynamics.
• Study their scores to mark cues.
• Practice rhythmic patterns in preparation for tutti rehearsal.

If you feel you are completely prepared for rehearsal, and there is no percussion coach present for the day, you may skip sectional rehearsal time and arrive for tutti rehearsal.

Score Study and Large Rests

It is common that wind, brass, and percussion instruments have extended rests. During this time, you should have the score available and be following along, learning about how the entire symphony is structured. The score is often too long to print, so we recommend you bring the PDF file on an electronic device such as a tablet or phone. All scores are available in the sheet music folder.

Setup and Tear-Down

Preparatory Orchestra percussionists are required to factor in setup time to:

• Remove timpani covers and set up timpani station.
• Set up any remaining necessary auxiliary and mallet percussion.

Symphony Orchestra percussionists are required to factor in setup and tear-down time to:

• Set up any remaining percussion instruments not set up by Preparatory Orchestra members.
• Adjust tuning markers for timpani.
• Replace instrument covers, percussion instrument stands, wheels, and mallets after rehearsal.

Part Assignments and Preparation

Please refer to the coaching schedule to see which weeks our percussion coaches will be on campus. Attendance on these rehearsal days is CRITICAL. Our coaches will go over technique, score details, interpretation, and giving each of you the individual attention you need to grow as an orchestral percussionist.

If there is no coach on schedule for that particular week, you will work with your section and your section leader for the day. The percussion section is set up by default in the main room with the strings. The most productive things you can do as a percussionist is:

• Pull up and study the score for your pieces.
• Mark cues and logistical notes in your own part.

Please Bring

• Your own parts. You should always have your own timpani part prepared and learned, as well as your own copy of auxiliary and mallet percussion.
• Your own mallets and sticks. We recommend having your own timpani and marimba mallets, as well as your own sticks for snare. CVYO also has a mallet bag with different weights and textures.
• A practice pad.

To make the best use of your time, please check the rehearsal plan that is sent each week by e-mail.

Score Study

Score study is encouraged for all our members at the Preparatory Orchestra Level and above. This involves watching the full conductor’s score when the conductor is working on a section that is not your own. This is the only time that electronic devices are allowed during rehearsal. Students may keep the score as a PDF on their phone or tablet. All scores are available in our Sheet Music folder. Wind, Brass, and Percussion players are especially encouraged to study scores as they tend to have more down time than string players.