Hi stringers:)

7 days left. You all heard our current recording and the previous syf recording so I'm sure all of you now know how much more we have to work. Please continue to practice and persevere. 7 days is all we are left with. Correct the little details. Your intonation, articulation, dynamics. Every single part that the conductors and SLs have pointed out. Spend 5-10 mins on each little part and don't rush through the piece thinking you have already practiced. Practicing means perfecting small parts bit by bit. Not playing through the piece without noticing what's wrong with your playing. Some of you may think your playing is perfectly fine. But no one's playing is perfect. Not even the SLs. So please practice more and practice smart. Don't waste your time on unnecessary parts which don't really require practice. Those small little sudden dynamic contrast must be brought out more. Every single dynamic marking is placed on your score for a reason. It's not there for show. Your articulation. Length of your bow strokes, which part of the bow you use plays an impt role in your articulation. Take note of which part of the bow your SLs/ASLs use and follow them strictly. Spiccatos for example. Follow the height of your SLs bows.
MOVEMENT. This can't be taught. Just follow the flow of the music and move. Don't be shy to do it cause the shy ones are the ones who show that they can't play. At places where we have pauses, breathe together as a section/as an orchestra before coming in. Eg wiren figure 21. And at the GP, move more. Canzonetta- ESP for the accompaniment, breathe before playing each quaver or Pizz.
And again, smile when you play. It helps to give you the mood to play and it will motivate you.
Last but not least, look at MR CHAN.

Please do your best not just for this syf. But for the future of strings. This 7 days, give your all. And take care:) DON'T GIVE UP

Anne Maria:) 💗