Intermediate String Orchestra News

ISO weekly email for Oct. 10

Hello everyone, This Saturday, Oct 10th, our morning rehearsal will be held in Baldwin Auditorium. We have a special practice session (sectional) for the 2nd, 3rd violins and violas. So, if you play the 2nd or 3rd violin, or viola, please come to Baldwin Auditorium (through Baldwin’s back entrance) at 8AM for an early practice session. Everyone else, you can come at 8:30 and be ready to play on the stage at 8:45. A note about “dress rehearsals” and the “green room” -- the green room is not green, and for the dress… read more »

ISO Weekly email for Oct. 3

Hello everyone, This Saturday, Oct 3rd, we have special practice sessions (sectionals) for the cellists and the 1st violins. So, if you play cello or the 1st violin part, please arrive as close to 8AM as possible and that will allow you to have a good half hour of specialized group instruction before rehearsal. Cellists will meet in room 086 (the room by the back loading dock door) and work with Mr. Bardales. Violin 1s will be in Bone Hall, where we have rehearsal each week. Everyone else, you can sleep in for an extra… read more »

ISO weekly email (sept 26)

Hello everyone, This Saturday, Sept 26th, please arrive early for rehearsal (8:30ish) and give yourself at least 10 to 15 minutes to settle in and get tuned. We’ve had a little trouble getting everyone tuned and have been starting later than we should! And if you get there even earlier you can help me set up chairs and stands, or deliver pencils to the needy. Last week I enjoyed the #8 -- giocoso! I think that is my favorite one. Remember what giocoso means? By the end of the semester we would like you to be able to speak… read more »

Sept. 12 email -- with bowings!

Hello Intermediate Strings Families, Our first rehearsal was off to a good start! Mr. Rempher separated the large group of second violinists into seconds and thirds -- with no judgement on skill levels -- just balancing out the piece and giving it another “voice”. I’ll have nametags for all on Saturday! Come up front and get a name. If you’d like a different name, let me know. I have lots of ideas. (Do you remember what poco means in Italian? I think that would be a terrific name for a kitten. But,… read more »

ISO weekly email (sept 12)

Hello Intermediate Strings Families, Our first rehearsal was off to a good start! Mr. Rempher separated the large group of second violinists into seconds and thirds -- with no judgement on skill levels -- just balancing out the piece and giving it another “voice”. I’ll have nametags for all on Saturday! Come up front and get a name. If you’d like a different name, let me know. I have lots of ideas. (Do you remember what poco means in Italian? I think that would be a terrific name for a kitten. But, sadly, we do not have any… read more »

ISO Weekly email (sept. 19)

 Hello everyone, Hope you are having a good week so far! Here are some notes from our last rehearsal. Violins, be your sassy best during the first part. Cellos, don’t forget vibrato on the pizzicato (sounds like a pizza order).   Don’t be in such a hurry to play that you forget to rest on those quarter rests, (Sometimes quiet is as important as the notes you play.) Speaking of quiet, don’t you think that the GP (Grand Pause) is fun? Below, you can see my cat, George doing a classic grand pause… read more »

ISO Weekly email (Sept 5th)

Hello new and old orchestra members and families! New members, welcome to the Duke String School Intermediate Strings Orchestra.  Returning orchestra players - Welcome back! The Intermediate Strings Orchestra is conducted by Mr. Rob Rhempher.  Rehearsals will be Saturdays, from 8:45-10:00 a.m. in Bone Hall. The orchestra has one parent assistant: Elizabeth Shamblin (me, authoring this email). For those who are new, let me introduce myself: my name is Elizabeth Shamblin, and I have four boys in DUSS who play… read more »