I always enjoyed the last few orchestra rehearsals of the school year. After the orchestra played its last concert, the pressure was off. For the few remaining rehearsals, we'd play pieces the director was considering for the next school year. We knew we'd never play some of those pieces again, so it was a chance to play works we hadn't seen before for the sheer enjoyment of it.
I still regret that I only got to play Beethoven's seventh symphony during those end-of-year rehearsals, though. With its mighty, joyous first movement and solemn second movement, it would have been great to play in concert.
At least I can still say I've played that symphony, even though it was just in the rehearsal room.
