announcements

weekly updates

September 23 Weekly Announcements

Dear Utah Orchestras!

Looking forward to this Friday and Saturday and remember, we agreed that everyone would make the effort to listen to the recording that we sent out a couple of weeks ago! It will help immensely with enharmonic notes and general tonal centers! Here’s the link if you don’t have it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCxdHIEHELE

We’ve also been invited to attend the Utah Symphony again this week, so please respond by Thursday evening at 7:00 pm! UYS students have the opportunity this week to go backstage and meet the conductor, Matthias Pintscher. 

This is also the week that we will close the competition for the hoodies and like last year, we will give a prize!

Practice up and have fun!

Love,

Barb

Announcements

UYPhil and UYSO CELLISTS:

While working with my students on the Bruckner, I noticed that the treble clef sections are in what is known as “false treble clef”. As if we needed any more clefs…..the notes you actually play are an octave lower than what is written. So, in the 2nd movement, the high C above the staff should be played one octave above middle C – not two octaves! Super hard to read (at least for me), so feel free to write in the pitches if you need to do that.  – Marty (fellow cellist)

Hoodie Competition

You can email your designs to me here. They should be in a scalable PDF or vector file so we can send them to the printer. Color is fine, but no more than 4 different colors in your graphic. Deadline Sunday, 9/27 by 11:00 pm.

Admin Announcements

You all should have received welcome documents (release forms) and tuition invoices by now. Please remember to return your release documents, either by email or as hard copies turned in at rehearsal. 

UYPhil

Rehearsal Friday, 9/25 4:30-6:00 pm in Room 272. No brass sectional this week. Parent meeting 6:00-6:45.  

Zoom info:

Topic: UYPhil Parent Meeting
Time: Sep 25, 2026 06:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87985756705?pwd=4VsakcojZVVBE2WNj3ISR9nKblbQvn.1
Join and take notes
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87985756705?pwd=4VsakcojZVVBE2WNj3ISR9nKblbQvn.1&mynotes=on
Meeting chat link
https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/jc/87985756705
Meeting ID: 879 8575 6705
Passcode: 420357

UYPrelude

Rehearsal Saturday, 9/26 9:00-11:00 AM Fine Arts West Recital Hall. Parent meeting 9:45-10:15. I’ll try to keep it to 20 minutes so I don’t take up a bunch of your time!

Zoom Info:
Topic: UYPrelude Parent Meeting
Time: Sep 26, 2026 09:45 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82151951072?pwd=Xz3ASugT2ipx2a43t2ojGQsvs1dnd9.1
Join and take notes
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82151951072?pwd=Xz3ASugT2ipx2a43t2ojGQsvs1dnd9.1&mynotes=on
Meeting chat link
https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/jc/82151951072
Meeting ID: 821 5195 1072
Passcode: 467969

UYSO

Rehearsal Saturday, 9/26 9:00-11:30 Room 272. Brass sectional in Room 324 for the first hour of rehearsal. 

Parent Meeting 10:45-11:30

Zoom Info:

Topic: UYSO Parent Meeting
Time: Sep 26, 2026 10:45 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89409145073?pwd=jbA6UMA0OReh2664aJzzmqstAASvli.1
Join and take notes
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89409145073?pwd=jbA6UMA0OReh2664aJzzmqstAASvli.1&mynotes=on
Meeting chat link
https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/jc/89409145073
Meeting ID: 894 0914 5073
Passcode: 533699

September 16 Weekly Announcements

Dear Musicians!

Still basking in the very good vibe from the first run of Bruckner!
Come ready to unlock some more of this iconic and gorgeous piece.

Love, Barb

P.S. Here’s quite a good recording – we won’t be a copycat and will share more interpretations! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCxdHIEHELE

P.P.S. I spoke with the box office at the Utah Symphony and they are happy to provide tickets for us again this year. Please respond to the weekly email if you intend to come so we won’t have any stragglers and it won’t be awkward.

We all want to accommodate you, so let’s be as gracious and punctual with RSVP as possible!

Announcements

Parent meetings 

Each year at the beginning of the season, we have a parent meeting to discuss how the orchestras operate, student and parent expectations, and to answer any questions you might have about the UYS organization. We plan for the meeting to last about 45 minutes. We planned to hold them this weekend, but due to the Saturday U of U football game at 1:30, we decided to postpone until next week when campus will be less busy and parking will be more accessible. We will have a Zoom link, but we encourage everyone to attend in person if possible! 

Utah Symphony Tickets

Tickets are available for the USO concerts this weekend. 

Friday, 9/18 and Saturday, 9/19. Both concerts start at 7:30.

The box office will have tickets set aside for us. You will not receive tickets in advance. When you arrive at Abravanel Hall, visit the box office and tell them you are with Utah Youth Symphony. They will have your tickets there. The deadline to RSVP to uyso@uyso.org is tomorrow (Thursday) at 7:00 pm.

If you want to attend, please reply to this email with the following information:

WHICH NIGHT: FRIDAY OR SATURDAY

HOW MANY TICKETS

UYPhil

Rehearsal 9/18 in Gardner Hall room 272 4:30-7:00 PM

Parent meeting NEXT WEEK, 9/25 from 6:00-6:45

UYSO

Rehearsal 9/19 in Gardner Hall room 272 9:00-11:30 AM

Parent meeting NEXT WEEK, 9/26 room 272 10:45-11:30 AM

UYPrelude

Rehearsal 9/19 in Fine Arts West recital hall 9:00-11:00 AM

Parent meeting NEXT WEEK, 9/26 9:45-10:15 AM

September 10 Weekly Announcements

Dear Utah Youth Orchestra Musicians, new, and returning!!

Woah- here we are at weekend No. 1!
Time to lock in!
This year is destined to be epically fun with absolutely amazing music.
See you soon!

Love
Barb

All Orchestras:

  • Please remember to let us know if you will miss rehearsal. You can email Jenny at attendance@uyso.org .
  • Do your best to arrive a few minutes early, especially if you’re new to UYS. Parking and getting to the rehearsal room might take longer than you anticipate.
  • Since I received several requests to update the calendar, I published it, but please know that it is subject to change. I will make sure to update it as soon as I have all the pieces in place. 
  • If you use Google Calendar, you can simply add the calendar and you’ll receive all the updates. 
  • We will hold an informational parent meeting at NEXT WEEKEND’s rehearsals (September 18th and 19th)

UYPhil

Rehearsal:

Friday, September 11th 4:30-7:00 PM Gardner Hall Room 272

UYPrelude

Rehearsal:

Saturday, September 12th 9:00-11:00 Fine Arts West Recital Hall

UYSO

Rehearsal:

Saturday, September 12th 9:00-11:30 AM Gardner Hall Room 272

May 6 Weekly Announcements

  • UYPhil
    • Rehearsal this week is at the Federal Heights Church
      • Address: 1300 E. Federal Heights Dr.
    • No percussion at the church this week
  • UYSO
    • Rehearsal this week is at the Federal Heights Church
      • Address: 1300 E. Federal Heights Dr.
    • No percussion this week at the church
  • UYPrelude
    • Meet at Fine Arts West from 9:00-10:00, then join UYSO at the Federal Heights church from 10:00-11:30 to work on the last two movements
  • All Orchestras:
    • Next week’s dress rehearsal will be in Thompson Chamber Music Hall (Room 200) Friday, May 15th from 4:00-6:30.
    • Prelude, please join at 5:00.
    • UYS Combined Concert
      • Saturday, May 16 at 7:00 pm at Abravanel Hall
      • Orchestras meet at 4:00 pm for a sound check in the hall. We rehearse from 4:00-6:00, then break for dinner before the concert. There will be a sandwich bar in the green room for students. 
      • No tickets required, it’s open admission. Please bring everyone you know!
      • I could still use a few more parents to help on concert day. Let me know if you’re available. Those of you who have emailed me, I’ll send details in the next few days about your duties. 

As always, please let me know if you have any questions! 

April 22 Weekly Announcements

  • UYPhil
    • Rehearsal this week is combined with UYSO and UYPreulde at the Federal Heights Church (1300 Fairfax Rd) from 4:00-6:30
  • UYPrelude
    • No Saturday rehearsal this week – the SLC Marathon will make getting to rehearsal very difficult at best, impossible in some cases! 
    • Please join the combined orchestras on Friday 4/24 from 5:00-6:30 at the Federal Heights LDS church from 5:00-6:30. 
    • For the last three rehearsals (4/24, 5/2, 5/9) before the concert, the Prelude orchestra will join the UYSO rehearsal for the last 90 minutes of their rehearsal to prepare for the concerts. The website calendar has been updated – please mark your calendars!
    • Please also mark your calendars for the dress rehearsal on Friday, May 15. Prelude needs to be there from 5:00-6:30 at Gardner Hall in Room 200.
  • UYSO
    • No Saturday rehearsal this week – marathon week!
    • Please join the UYPhil rehearsal on Friday 4/24 from 4:00-6:30
    • UYSO and UYPhil will rehearse together from 4:00-5:00, then prelude joins the big group at 5:00.
    • Please mark your calendars for the dress rehearsal on Friday, May 15. UYSO will join UYPhil 4:00-6:30 in Room 200 in Gardner Hall.

All Orchestras

  • Upcoming Concert info
    • Our annual combined concert is approaching!
    • Saturday, May 16th
      • Rehearsal/Sound Check at 4:00.
      • We may adjust this time to 4:30, but plan on 4:00 for now.
      • After rehearsal, we have about an hour break for dinner. UYS provides a sandwich bar in the green room for students and volunteers.
      • The concert starts at 7:00 pm. 
  • The concert is not ticketed, and admission is free and open to anyone! Please invite EVERYONE! Let’s pack the hall!
  • I will need about 15 parent volunteers to help with food prep and student supervision while we’re at Abravanel.  Generally, you arrive when the students arrive and stay until the concert ends. Please let me know if you’re willing to help.
  • Parking downtown can be difficult; we generally recommend City Creek. Please allow plenty of time to park, get to the venue, find your way and get settled. 

April 16 Weekly Announcements

Hello Everyone! 

I’m sending announcements twice this week: once using the old system I’ve used this year, and once using this email list. I’m hoping it gets through to more of you. 

From Barb:

Dear Utah Youth Orchestras!
We’re in the final stretch!!
Stoke up & make your practice time FANTASTIQUE!!
Love, barb

UYPhil: Rehearsal in Room 272 at Gardner Hall. Austin Kruger is subbing for Debbie this week – please make him feel welcome!

UYPrelude: Rehearsal this week is at the Hilltop LDS church at 589 E 18th Avenue. Please bring a stand!
UYSO: Rehearsal is in room 272 from 9:00-11:30. 


Upcoming Concert info:

Our annual combined concert is approaching!

Saturday, May 16th 

Rehearsal/Sound Check at 4:00. We may adjust this time to 4:30, but plan on 4:00 for now. After rehearsal, we have about an hour break for dinner. UYS provides a sandwich bar in the green room for students and volunteers. The concert starts at 7:00 pm. 

The concert is not ticketed, and admission is free and open to anyone! Please invite EVERYONE! Let’s pack the hall!

I will need about 15 parent volunteers to help with food prep and student supervision while we’re at Abravanel.  Generally, you arrive when the students arrive and stay until the concert ends. Please let me know if you’re willing to help.

Parking downtown can be difficult; we generally recommend City Creek. Please allow plenty of time to park, get to the venue, find your way and get settled. 

Thanks everyone! 

Marty

April 1 (No Fooling!) Weekly Announcements

  • UYPhil – Large sectionals 4:00-6:30
    • Strings in Libby Gardner Concert Hall with Dr. Rob Baldwin
    • Woodwinds in Thompson (Room 200) with Leon Chodos
    • Brass in Room 272 with Scott Hagen
    • Percussion – no sectional – attend Saturday’s sectional if possible
  • UYSO – Large Sectionals 9:00-11:30
    • Strings in Libby Gardner Concert Hall with Dr. Rob Baldwin
    • Woodwinds in Thompson (Room 200) with Leon Chodos
    • Brass in Room 272 with Sam Elliott
    • Percussion in Room 166 with Rebekah Hall
  • Prelude
    • Rehearsal as usual at Fine Arts West 9:00-11:00

March 18th Weekly Announcements

  • UYPhil
    • Full Rehearsal at Gardner Hall Room 272 Friday 3/20 4:00-6:30
  • UYSO
    • Winds, Percussion and Strings only this week.
      • Brass are excused – many of you have State Jazz Festival.
    • Brass, if you can come to UYPhil rehearsal on Friday, it would be wonderful to have you there!
    • We have small sectionals on March 28th.
      • Those of you in small sections, please let us know as soon as possible if you’re going to miss rehearsal on March 28th. Our coaches’ time is valuable, and we don’t want them to show up if there’s nobody to coach. 
  • UYPrelude
    • Regular rehearsal at Fine Arts West Saturday 3/28 9:00-11:00 AM

March 7 Weekly Announcements

  • UYPhilharmonic
    • Rehearsal 4:00-6:30 at the Federal Heights Church in the gym
    • 1300 E Fairfax Road
    • BRING A STAND!
  • UYPrelude
    • Rehearsal 9:00-11:00 at the Federal Heights Church in one of the large rooms downstairs
    • 1300 E Fairfax Road
    • BRING A STAND!
  • UYSO
    • Rehearsal 9:00-11:30 at the Federal Heights Church in the gym
    • 1300 E Fairfax Road
    • BRING A STAND!