Music Outside of LHS

    One of the bonuses of being a clarinetist is that I can play in both wind ensembles and orchestras.  My weekends revolve around Jr. MYWE, YRO, and JRO.  It may sound like death by rehearsal, but it’s the kids you meet that make playing in these groups worthwhile.

    The Junior Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble (Jr. MYWE) is part of the New England Conservatory’s (NEC) Preparatory School. Membership is by audition and the group has about 40 wind, brass, and percussion players from Massachusetts and New Hampshire. One of the best parts of playing in this ensemble is that I am almost always playing. In contrast being a wind instrument in an orchestra, in a wind ensemble all the instruments have major passages to play, not just a couple of bars. The repertoire is varied, from loud and brassy pieces to more melodic and lyrical compositions. In addition, we work on and practice about six pieces for each concert, so rehearsals do not feel monotonous. Compared to the youth orchestras in the area, the wind ensemble is relatively small and it’s easy to get to know everyone. Ever wonder what it’s like to go to Newton South or Belmont High?  Ever know someone from Holliston? Jr. MYWE gives you the chance to make friends and have fun playing together. 

    The NEC Preparatory School has several orchestras, including the Youth Repertory Orchestra (YRO) for which I am a clarinetist. This full orchestra is very big, about 110 musicians, giving it a large, full sound. The group plays classical music by well-known composers. Since the orchestra is mostly made up of string players, rehearsals tend to be dominated by close attention to these parts and there is less rehearsal time devoted to the winds and brass. Nonetheless, the non-string passages are challenging and make the orchestra sound more dynamic. There is also a different kind of attention to detail and listening that comes from playing with violins and cellos compared to playing in a wind ensemble. This makes the YRO a terrific music experience for wind and brass players. Of all the groups I play in, the YRO tends to be the least social.  Part of the reason is that the rehearsal is only two hours a week. There needs to be this business-like and intense atmosphere in order to get as much practice as possible.     

    The third group I play with is the Junior Repertory Orchestra (JRO), one of several youth orchestras that make up the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYSO) organization. Like the YRO, the JRO is a full orchestra, but slightly smaller (about 90 musicians).  Players come from all over Massachusetts as well as other states, including Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island.  What sets the JRO and other BYSO orchestras apart is the time spent in sectionals and smaller groups in addition to the full (also called tutti) rehearsals. This not only helps players improve their technique and work on specific passages, but also adds a wonderful social aspect to rehearsals. The overall rehearsal time is longer, but the tradeoff is that there are breaks to grab a snack or just talk. The snack table run by parents is a big plus; not only can you fill your stomach with pizza or chips, but getting these snacks with your friends adds to the socializing.  JRO, like Jr. MYWE and YRO, is by audition and just as competitive to get into. However, the feeling at JRO rehearsals is significantly more cooperative and friendly. Another bonus for wind and brass players is that JRO concerts occasionally include a piece just for these instruments.

            That’s a quick run down of the groups I play in outside of the Honors Wind Ensemble at LHS. What matters most to me is that I’m having a blast playing amazing pieces together with talented musicians. Jr. MYWE, YRO, and JRO make this wonderful opportunity possible.


- Katie Jeong