Here are the following Beethoven excerpts for playing exams during week one:

Finale numbers may be different depending on your edition.  (Alternate measure numbers are in parentheses)

Violin I

• 1st mvt
  • measures 25-58
  • measures 94-123
  • measures 346-362
• 3rd mvt
  • measures 115-132
• Finale
  • measure 6 (379) – letter A
  • pickup to 51-62 (424-435)
  • 142-144 (515-516)

• *Also include Shostakovich Finale rehearsal 105-108

Violin II

• 1st mvt
  • measures 6-58
  • measures 94-123
  • measures 346-362
• 3rd mvt
  • measures 152-161
• Finale
  • measures 22 (395) -letter A
  • pickup to 51-62 (424-435)

• *Also include Shostakovich Finale rehearsal 105-108

Viola

• 1st mvt
  • measures 25-44
• 2nd mvt
  • measures 1-10
  • pickup to 99-106
• 3rd mvt
  • measures 147-160
  • measures 169-178
• Finale
  • measures 38-54 (412-427)
  • measures 132-140 (505-513)
  • measures 228-232 (601-605)
  • measures 267-271 (640-644)

Cello and Bass **For cello and bass players who are auditioning for UOCO, I will use your video as your audition for UOCO.

• 2nd mvt
  • measures 1-10 *cello only
  • measures 99-106 *cello only
  • measures 114-123
• 3rd mvt
  • measures 53-63
  • measures 141-178
• Finale
  • measures 28-34 (401-407)
  • measures 80-90 (453-463) – take 2nd ending

Woodwinds

• 1st mvt
  • measures 109-122
• 2nd mvt
  • measures 184-199
• 3rd mvt
  • measures 27-45
  • pickup to 182-196
• Finale
  • measures 1-26 (374-399)

Brass

• 2nd mvt
  • measures 147-158
• 3rd mvt
  • 19-45 *horns only
• Finale
  • measures 1-22 (374-395)
  • measures 26-33 (399-406) *horns only
  • measures 390-432 (763-805), faster tempo (whole note=108)

Instead of coming in and playing for me personally, please video record all of the excerpts and send me a link via e-mail by Monday, January 13.   If you do not have the equipment for a video recording or the confidence in being able to upload it, you may make an individual appointment to play for me during week one.  I will have availability 1/6 (before orchestra), 1/8 (11-3), 1/9 (11-5) for students who play for me live.  You must either submit a video recording or play for me live by Friday, January 10 to receive full credit.

Play excerpts at the following tempos:

• 1st mvt: half note=102
• 2nd mvt: eighth note=88
• 3rd mvt: dotted half=88
• Finale: half note=84

I hope that all of you are enjoying the snow that we’ve had lately.  Although it cancelled our last rehearsal, I think we will still be in good shape for the Winter term if we adequately prepare the Beethoven and Shostakovich over the break.  There will be a playing test in week 1:)  All PDF parts are up on the website and some bowed physical parts to the Beethoven will be available before the end of finals.  Any of those physical parts that aren’t bowed will be ready for our first rehearsal in January, and in the meanwhile you can print up your own practice part from the PDF over break.

I wanted to take a moment and reflect on some of our successes this term.  You did an excellent job preparing the Bruckner and performed it for a practically full house at Beall.  Congratulations on a great start.  I received lots of positive reviews and feedback for that concert and we continue to impress the Eugene and University community with our work.  For those involved in the newly formed Chamber Orchestra, you did a remarkable job preparing the Mozart in short order.  My idea for that ensemble is to rehearse quickly and perform at the highest level – no “woodshedding” in rehearsal.  You came through and I was very pleased with your performance of the Mozart.  I also look forward to the upcoming Chamber Orchestra works such as David Crumb’s Vestiges in the winter, and Aaron Copland’s 13 instrument version of Appalachian Spring in the Spring.  It’s a great opportunity for a more professional model within our normal schedule/workload.

We were able to read two additional major works (Berlioz and Shostakovich) and did so well that it made sense adding them to the Joe Alessi concert.  Finally, we had an opportunity to inspire younger students from West Salem by playing the Bruckner and Berlioz with them last week.  That experience was far more than good PR.  We shared our artistry with younger students and opened up a new sound world to them.  You never know what impression your words, actions, or music-making made.  I’m sure some of them now love music even more, and some may even have been inspired to take their own music-making to the next level.  From my perspective, you carried yourself with great professionalism and treated them with respect and kindness.  I thank you so much.

During the Q&A session, I told the W. Salem students that if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.  All of you make me love my job and I am so thankful that we get to do what we love at every rehearsal.  I look forward to a tremendous winter term filled with awesome repertoire, a world-class guest artist, and spending time together loving the symphonic repertoire more every day.

Have a restful and fulfilling Winter Break!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jacobs