Boulder Valley District Honor Orchestra

Welcome and Congratulations to the 2026 Boulder Valley District Honor Orchestra High School Musicians!

My name is Michael Linert, and I can’t wait to make music with you all on October 5th!
We’re going to have such a wonderful day together!

Below are some preliminary instructions, but more details and videos will be available here on this page by September 14, so please plan to check back! If you have not yet received the sheet music with bowings/fingerings, please reach out to your school’s director.

Ballet No. 6 (from L'Amant Anonyme)

• Instructions Video - Available by September 14

• Performance Recording

• Composer: Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges / Arr. Jennifer Meckler 

• Timing 1:55 

• Meter: 6/8

• Keys: A Major / A Minor

• The stars that you (BVSD STARS!) see in the parts are emphasis points in the phrase. Treat those starred notes as the strongest peak of the phrase, and be sure to adapts your dynamics to make non-starred notes a bit softer. Be especially certain to taper your sound after the starred notes.

• Bowings: No changes were made to the published parts.

• Fingerings

  • Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, and Bass: Reminder fingerings and suggestions for 4th finger vs 0 are included. If 4th is marked, please practice that way, if possible. If 0 is marked, please play that way. I did not always write if it is a repeated section. If unsure, pick what you think sounds/works best.

  • Cello: “Essential” and “Advanced” fingerings are provided. For this piece, professionals could debate which one is more authentic. “Essential” stays in 1st position as often as possible, which some prefer to keep the sound brighter. The “Advanced” parts have more shifts, which means less string crossings and extensions, but produce a bit darker tone.

De Colores

• Instructions Video for the Parts - Available for September 14 - For now, practice the Melody 1 and 2 parts.

• Performance Recording - Available by September 14

• Composer: Traditional Spanish/Mexican Song / Arr. Michael Linert

• Bowings/Fingerings - Bowings and reminder fingerings are in the parts.

• Each packet is 8 pages. All instruments will learn all parts to some degree, but each section should focus their prior preparation on the following: 

  • Violin 1 - Harmony & Melody 1

  • Violin 2 - Harmony & Melody 2

  • Viola - Melody 1 & Harmony

  • Cello - Melody 2 & Bass

  • Bass - Melody 1 & Bass

• Vocal parts are included in each packet. They can be sung in any comfortable octave. If anyone likes to sing, there will likely be opportunities for you to sing for parts of our day together, possibly in the performance!

Incredible Voyage

• Instructions Video - Available September 14

• Performance Recording

• Composer: Michael Hopkins

• Timing: 4:26

• Meters: 3/4 & 4/4

• Keys: G Major / C Minor / A Major / A Minor - Many accidentals too!

• Bowings: No changes were made to the published parts.

• Fingerings

  • Violin 1, Violin 2, and Viola: Reminder fingerings (with positions marked) are included. There are some other unmarked opportunities for shifts for some richer colors in some lyrical sections and/or to make some passages slightly more comfortable. If you see some instances to change, you may, but please ensure they are cleanly executed.

  • Cello and Bass: “Essential” fingerings are provided to minimize shifts, notate positions, and remind of fingerings. “Advanced” fingerings are provided to include more shifts. Please choose which one is best for you at this time.