Cellofille's Weblog

Back Again

gilnor7066 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:17:05 +0000

Alright, so I know that I said I would post bi-weekly, however, I figured that prepping for finals and auditions should take precedent.

As for updates, I had an audition this week — which was the most disastrous train-wreck of an audition ever — and I still have to send a CD of my playing to another college. Fortunately, I don’t have to be at school until 12 and 10:30 for the next couple of days. Ugh, it’s just as though I feel I can talk a good game, but once it gets down to it, I can’t walk the walk. Perhaps I just need more practice playing in front of people I don’t know…is there a law against practicing in a park?

Other than that, my life has been pretty quiet. I did find $100 in my wallet the other day — so I had a nice little shopping spree. I purchased some really great Korres face moisturizer…but, I digress.

If I make any further developments — you’ll be the first to know. Promise, kay?

Happy New Year!

gilnor7066 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:43:05 +0000

Hello everyone! Bonne annee!

As is evident by looking at the date on my last post, I definitely haven’t been posting as much as I should have. Thus, I’ll start off the new year with a big long post, and then I’ll try and do bi-weekly updates. That way, I have something to do to keep up on my progress (or lack thereof). Anyway, here goes:

Solo work:
So far, I’m back at Saint-Saens (Concerto No. 1), trying to polish up the first movement for auditions for college at the end of the month. Fortunately, I’m not working anymore, so I’ll have a lot more time to practice. Unfortunately, auditions are RIGHT after finals…which should be fun…not. However, I’ve been starting to work on making my playing more emotional, which has been a lot of fun. I’ve found that I really like delving between the notes and accent marks to find the emotion in a phrase/movement/piece. Also, if anyone has any tips on playing more expressively, please share. I’m always open to suggestions. Besides the Saint-Saens, however, I’m also playing the Sarabande from Bach’s second suite. I’m also revisiting this one as well, which is a nice trip down memory lane. It’s also nice because I can play it better this time around. OH! I also have to memorize these two pieces, so if anyone has any suggestions on how to memorize pieces quickly…feel free to type them in below.

Orchestra:

This past month has been somewhat relaxing, seeing as how I didn’t play in the Christmas concert…which has left me tons of time to finish those oh so fun college apps. However, the first rehearsal for the next concert begins tomorrow which is really exciting. We’re playing pieces by Saint-Saens, Debussy, and Ibert…which is a whole lot better than our last concert where we played all this “celebrate America” music. Don’t get me wrong, I love the US as much as anyone else, but I can only take brass fanfares for so long before I have to plug my ears. The music we’re playing this concert though, I just can’t wait to play.

Chamber Ensemble:

Well, we had our first concert in December which was…interesting. We played two pieces, the first of which was great. We had two solo violins and a solo cello who were really amazing. The second piece however, was substantially less than perfect. While I did like the piece in general, the solo cellist we had was not ready for the solo she played. I mean, she admitted to me that she only practices on weekends for 30min each session. However, she did work really hard on the piece…and she was REALLY excited to play a solo. If only she could have played those high notes in tune…but, on a lighter note, we have our first rehearsal since the concert this friday, which should be interesting.

Anyway, that’s what I’ve been up to, and I’ll make sure to post more regularly. Also, I’ve been looking for books to read about the cello — generally, books dealing with cello technique that have more words in them than notes. Also, a good cello-themed biography would be neat too. So, if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Merci!

Un petit question…

gilnor7066 — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:56:58 +0000

Hey! How’s everyone doing? Good?

Anyway, I’m playing Etude-Caprice by Goltermann, and I wanted to know if I could find a professional recording of the piece online somewhere. I can’t find it on itunes, and the only thing I’ve found on youtube is this little kid playing the piece.

Thanks!

Ce matin…

gilnor7066 — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:08:24 +0000

Woo-hoo! I finally got a chance to practice. With school stuff this whole weekend, I haven’t had a chance to actually sit down and practice. However, this morning was fabulous. I got to practice scales for a full 30min. Major, Harmonic AND Melodic. On the less good side, though, I didn’t get a chance to excersize this morning. So now I know where I’M going after school. Ugh.

TTYL!

-Cellofille

Come one, Come all….

gilnor7066 — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:05:45 +0000

Oh man, you know what’s super exciting? I just found out that the concert I’m playing at on Sun. is sold out — and the best part is that the theater I’m playing in seats around 800 people! This is like, the first time people are coming to my orchestra concerts because they want too!

Holy Crap.

gilnor7066 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:36:53 +0000

This is the most amazing thing ever.

What a Beautiful Monday…

gilnor7066 — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:22:28 +0000

Despite the rather ironic sounding title, this morning has actually been quite nice. Perfect temp, nice and sunny. Fabulous. Anyway, this weekend has been full of cello adventures. Saturday, I recieved a new piece from my cello teacher: Etude-Caprice by Goltermann. We’ll see how that goes. Also, on Sunday, I gave lesson to this little nine year old kid. Afterwards, I definitely had a lot more respect for my parents because of all the horrible music they had to listen to when I first started out. However, the kid is really great and I can’t wait for next week.

Also, I start a DSO (the orchestra I play with) marathon this week. Today I have a three hour rehearsal, followed by another three hour rehearsal on Wednesday. Then, there’s concert number one on Thursday, and another one on Sunday. Meanwhile, I have to squeeze in a cello lesson this week, go to chamber ensemble rehearsal, and give another lesson to that kid. All I can do now, is pray that my teachers will have mercy on me. :)

Anyway, I hope you all have fun this week. I know I will.

-Cellofille

Here comes Cellofille!

gilnor7066 — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 04:26:55 +0000

Well, at least for now. Anyway, since school’s started I’ve had a lot on my plate…especially since college deadlines are coming up soon. On the other hand, I’ve just been accepted into an adult regional orchestra even though I’m only 17, and that’s pretty exciting. Also, the chamber group I’m playing in now has eight members, and I found out today that I’m the principal cellist. Woo-hoo! However, I still have to create a CD of my playing for colleges, which means I have to email all 16 of them and ask if they want me to send them a CD. Ergh. The thought of it all is just so horrible.

Bienvenue

gilnor7066 — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:28:09 +0000

Hey. First of all, I’d like to make a few confessions. This is my first blog, I’m not French, and I really have no idea what to write here. However, I firmly believe that the best way to start something is to plunge right in — so, let’s plunge away!

As part of my first post, I’d like to tell you a little bit about myself. First, as you might have guessed from the title, I am a girl, and I play the cello. I have been playing the cello for the past eight years or so, and have been involved in various local orchestras and chamber ensembles. For two years, I also attended Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan — which frankly, was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had with the cello, music, arts, etc. And if you want, I could tell you more about that in a later post. This year will also be my senior year in high school — something that I’m somewhat scared of yet excited for all at the same time. As for college, I would like to attend a school in the Boston/New England area, with a good music/international relations/business program and if you know of any, PLEASE let me know. This college stuff is really a killer.

Hm, what else? I could tell you about likes and dislikes, but then again, that could get quite boring. So, if you want to know, I’ll tell you. Otherwise, I’ll continue on with more discussion on the REAL reason why I created this blog.

Reasons Why I Created This Blog:

To meet other cellists and discuss various aspects of cello-playing with them
To learn more about the cello, and its various repertoire
To have a spot to record all of what I have practiced, so I have an inclination to practice more

Anyway, that’s all for today folks. Later, I might post what I have practiced today, but that’s about it. I hope that you continue to read and give me suggestions for college.

Have a fun day.

-cellofille