In Cincinnati, we had a chance to attend the Westchester Symphony rehearsal, where we met string players like Nicole & Amanda. We spread the word about SCOR! and even played along. Thanks to director Susan Schirmer, you invited us to rehearsal.
Nicole had played as a kid, and had joined an orchestra in college, but the competitive nature of the violin section made her question why she was doing this. As an adult she picked up the instrument again and joined a community orchestra. This is the only time during the week that is "time for me" she says, and enjoys playing with a group that plays for the fun of it!
Amanda enjoys playing with the symphony as well, and enjoys the friendships she has made with players like Nicole. Although Amanda did not take any hiatus, and plays more regularly, she finds the string parts to her orchestra music challenging enough, especially when it's something like John Williams' Harry Potter scores! She says she plays most of the notes! :-)
We talked with Susan about coming back next year and coaching the string section. We'll look forward to it!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Knoxville Workshop
Saturday, May 1st...
Knoxville's workshop went very well. We were able to meet a number of wonderful people, most of whom have started a string instrument very recently. We had a good time playing by ear, sight-reading, and unlocking our minds! :-) Here are some of the stories...
Last year Kathleen Bowman, cello teacher extraordinaire, plunked a SCOR! brochure down in front of Alicia, a cello student of 4 years. "You HAVE to go to this," she told her. Alicia willingly complied, attending SCOR! Rochester in 2009. After an initial hesitating start at camp (OK, she was panicking...) Alicia had a terrific time. Her stand partner in orchestra, Peter, helped her out a lot, and she got to know many other wonderful adult players, including a friend she has seen since in Atlanta. Alicia says that her playing completely changed after attending SCOR!, and Kathleen attests to her being a different person. Alicia attended the Knoxville workshop, and plans to return this year to SCOR! Rochester this year. For my part, I must say that Alicia sure looks like she's having some fun on the cello!
Sharon played piano and organ for years, and taught students as well. She has now played the cello for 5 years and loves it, although can get frustrated when what she wants to do on the cello doesn't come out, or when she feels her progess is not consistent enough. We all agreed that, although we may not always be satisfied by day to day improvements, we definitely notice improvements over the months, and that sticking with it is what will yield the results. Sharon was very encouraging to the others, and has certainly made lots of progress in the last few years!
Knoxville's workshop went very well. We were able to meet a number of wonderful people, most of whom have started a string instrument very recently. We had a good time playing by ear, sight-reading, and unlocking our minds! :-) Here are some of the stories...
Last year Kathleen Bowman, cello teacher extraordinaire, plunked a SCOR! brochure down in front of Alicia, a cello student of 4 years. "You HAVE to go to this," she told her. Alicia willingly complied, attending SCOR! Rochester in 2009. After an initial hesitating start at camp (OK, she was panicking...) Alicia had a terrific time. Her stand partner in orchestra, Peter, helped her out a lot, and she got to know many other wonderful adult players, including a friend she has seen since in Atlanta. Alicia says that her playing completely changed after attending SCOR!, and Kathleen attests to her being a different person. Alicia attended the Knoxville workshop, and plans to return this year to SCOR! Rochester this year. For my part, I must say that Alicia sure looks like she's having some fun on the cello!
Sharon played piano and organ for years, and taught students as well. She has now played the cello for 5 years and loves it, although can get frustrated when what she wants to do on the cello doesn't come out, or when she feels her progess is not consistent enough. We all agreed that, although we may not always be satisfied by day to day improvements, we definitely notice improvements over the months, and that sticking with it is what will yield the results. Sharon was very encouraging to the others, and has certainly made lots of progress in the last few years!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Knoxville, May 1st
We are looking forward to offering our first SCOR! Workshop in Knoxville, TN this coming Saturday, May 1st. Thanks to Kathleen Bowman and her wonderful help in breaking into this area. Off to Knoxville!
A few stories from Atlanta
A funny thing happened at the Main Street Symphony rehearsal last week! Conductor Dana had us work with the group on my piece, "Blessing & Celebration". When they were about to work on Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nacht Musik" next, Dana casually said..."The next composer is unavailable." I really cracked up that time...
Jo is a wonderful lady from Alabama who joined our Atlanta workshop for the second year in a row. Jo started playing the violin 4 years ago in an instructional group directed by Anne Witt near Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Jo began playing for a folks in a local nursing home, at first by herself, bringing great joy to the residents. She then branched out and started a little informal group of local string players, which she now writes musical arrangements for. The whole group now frequents the nursing home, benefitting all who listen and participate. What an adventuresome lady! Thanks, Jo, for inspiring us!
After being a violin mom for 15 years, Nancy missed the sounds of string & orchestral music when her son grew up. She mentioned starting the cello, and was really committed when her husband bought her one for her birthday! Now, 7 years later, she has fallen in love with the cello, and is an enthusiastic member of several local groups as well as an invaluable participant in SCOR! programs (see picture below of Nancy with her cello award). She has improved in a myriad of ways in just the last few years, and continues valiantly toward her goal of sounding like Yo-yo Ma. Nancy, keep being inspiring!
Jo is a wonderful lady from Alabama who joined our Atlanta workshop for the second year in a row. Jo started playing the violin 4 years ago in an instructional group directed by Anne Witt near Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Jo began playing for a folks in a local nursing home, at first by herself, bringing great joy to the residents. She then branched out and started a little informal group of local string players, which she now writes musical arrangements for. The whole group now frequents the nursing home, benefitting all who listen and participate. What an adventuresome lady! Thanks, Jo, for inspiring us!
After being a violin mom for 15 years, Nancy missed the sounds of string & orchestral music when her son grew up. She mentioned starting the cello, and was really committed when her husband bought her one for her birthday! Now, 7 years later, she has fallen in love with the cello, and is an enthusiastic member of several local groups as well as an invaluable participant in SCOR! programs (see picture below of Nancy with her cello award). She has improved in a myriad of ways in just the last few years, and continues valiantly toward her goal of sounding like Yo-yo Ma. Nancy, keep being inspiring!
Monday, April 26, 2010
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