In the core rehearsal, the student leadership team gets together for the first time to establish an initial concept of the piece as well as to create an outline for the full-orchestra rehearsals later in the week. Generally, the core consists of the principal players from each section. In larger works, such as Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol, the core involves nearly 20 musicians as the piece itself requires a wide variety of instruments. Brahms' Serenade No. 1 in D major, however, does not require the same expansive instrumentation. As such, the core rehearsal only includes 12 musicians from the OI.
In the full-orchestra rehearsal, all musicians have the opportunity to suggest and critique interpretations as well as to help refine the execution of these ideas. Core members are responsible for leading and managing this process in preparation for the public performance.
