| Author |
Subject |
Nico67
Registered User
(9/6/00 2:37:32 pm)
Reply |
Bummer
I just received email from the
conductor of a local community orchestra. It's the orchestra of the
medical school attended by my partner (doctors, faculty, students
and family members). I had sent him email inquiring about the
orchestra. I know they don't audition. In the email I was very
honest about my level of playing (about 1 year of instructions).
He said that what they play is "far too difficult for my
level of playing"  And last
year they played Gilbert and Sullivan! So how long do you have to
study before even thinking of joining an orchestra?
Please
tell me he's right. Because I am also thinking that he said "no
thanks" for other non-musical reasons ...
---Rosario
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Dorie
Straus 
Registered User
(9/6/00 2:48:32 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Bummer
He might be right about the level
and you're experience. I've been playing longer and I struggle. Just
keep playing - you'll know. Sorry we didn't get together this summer
Rosario - had a rough one. Maybe one of these days, though.
|
Bobbie
Registered
User
(9/6/00 2:50:25 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Bummer
He's probably right for musical
reasons. I started in an orchestra too soon and it was a struggle to
play even the easy parts of most pieces. I didn't even attempt the
hard stuff. As for how long until you would be ready, that is hard
to say. I have a repertoire list at home that includes orchestral
stuff, so if I remember I'll check tonight and see at what level it
puts the orchestra music, and post again if I can find anything
useful.
|
Paul
Tseng ICS Staff 
Administrator
(9/6/00 3:11:57 pm)
Reply
 |
Re:
Bummer
Rosario,
He may be right, but
he may also be a real jerk. Who can tell what your level of playing
is based on the number of years of study?
Would someone have
told me that at 2.5 years of study, that it was far too difficult
for me to get into Eastman and into the class of Paul Katz? Well, I
did and it only goes to show that you can't tell by numbers of years
alone. (I didn't go, though)
For all we know, there might be
people in that community orchestra who've played for 50 years who
are not up to YOUR level.
I would think that a conductor of a
local community orchestra would be appreciative to find an
enthusiastic cellist.
Even if he is correct, his people
skills are really lacking. He may have just passed up a great
addition to his orchestra just because he doesn't know how to work
with people.
If I were him, I'd have invited you to come play
with the orchestra and let YOU decide if you were comfortable
playing in it. OK, if not that, at least, I'd listen to you play
first before making such a sweeping statement.
Anyway, if
they don't audition, then why not just show up?
Paul Tseng, Cello Chat Administrator
Today's Quote
My Website
MP3!
The San Diego Cello Society
|
Ellen
G 
Registered User
(9/6/00 7:08:33 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Bummer
To satisfy your own curiosity, can
you at least find out what they are playing and get the cello parts?
I don't think there is any harm in asking. If the school isn't
willing to part with the music, you can at least inquire here and
the pros in the know should be able to fill you in on what is
required.
Granted, there are probably some parts that you
could play. The thing is, you could hamper your progress in the long
run by having to learn music rather than learning how to play the
cello. Make sure you know your fingerboard geography so you don't
have to make those leaps between 1st and 4th positions. Things like
that will make music which is difficult for one cellist easy for
another. And if you don't have good bow control, having to play fast
parts or strokes the music demands that you haven't learned yet
could get you into nasty habits.
I'd start with chamber
where you have interplay of parts, but control over tempo and
difficulty. A program may have "Water Music" in it, much of which
can be played in first position (although it would sound better if
you can vibrate the long notes). The rest of that program could be a
Mozart symphony which would call not just for your ability to play
notes, but to count! Last year we played "Jupiter" and I can't tell
you how many times we had multiple cello entrances instead of ONE
because people couldn't count. The rhythms can be complicated.
Anyway, as I said initially, make yourself feel better by
seeing the music. If you find you can play it, you will be in a
position to go back and say, "Excuse me, but I can play this." I
admire your spirit in not being afraid to try. Good for you.
Ellen
Edited by Ellen
G at: 9/6/00 7:08:32
pm
|
lblake
Registered
User
(9/6/00 9:50:19 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Bummer
At 6 months of instruction, I
searched for community orchestras. Found several - most required
auditions. Two didn't. I joined up with those two.
In one
(the one that actually says they will let anybody play, although,
they do not play beginner music), I could barely play much of it.
But I learned a tremendous amount in the process. By each
performance, I could actually play some of it, and practicing, quite
a bit of it. Throughout, the other orchestra members were very
supportive and happy to have me there. 
In
the other (the one where they will pretty much take anyone, but not
officially - the conductor still has a say in the matter), I could
play not much of the music at first, but by the third quarter, I
could actually sight read quite a bit when we started new music, and
I played almost everything by the performance. I stumbled quite a
bit along the way, but again, they were very happy to have me, and
very supportive along the way.
Throughout, I also took
lessons (to hopefully avoid developing those nasty habits).
For two weeks on the break this summer, I was in the pit
orchestra for Rogers & Hammerstein's Carousel. At first, I
didn't imagine I'd ever be able to play it, but by the performances,
I was actually making a fair go of it. (although, I was very happy
that there were so many brass parts to overpower us!) Again, they
were very supportive and happy to have me there, despite my blatant
inexperience.
By the end of the orchestra season, fellow
orchestra members were even saying I should come play chamber music
with them, or join such & such cello choir... etc.
This
is not because I was good. I'm not. It's because these people were
in it for the fun and the community, and because they love to
play.
So, it seems to me like: it just depends on the
orchestra, and on your level of comfort in being pushed, and/or with
humility.  There are
probably more community orchestras around who would love to have
you. 
|
me4cello
Registered User
(9/7/00 3:44:47 am)
Reply |
Re:
Bummer
I wish I could join your orchestra
it sounds like a lot of fun....
|
Nico67
Registered User
(9/7/00 9:55:35 am)
Reply |
Re:
Bummer
Thanks everybody. Yesterday I was
really upset by this guy short response. Since the orchestra doesn't
audition I expected him to say "come over and try out". He's
probably right though and I think Ellen is also right, I should
focus on learning to play the cello rather than put all my effort in
learning the orchestra's music.
To Paul: I didn't just tell
the guy that I have 1 year of classes behind me, but I also
described in words my level of playing (confortable in 1st position,
beginning to shift in 2nd and 4th, no vibrato, etc etc). I still
found his answer a little too cold and abrupt though.
Which
brings me to the reason why I was *really* upset yesterday (and this
is not cello related so you can stop reading if you wish). The
school in question (Albert Einstein College of Medicine) does not
recognize same-sex relationships. For example they offer married
students subsidized housing but they refuse to do the same to
domestic partners couples (like me and my partner). This is in
flagrant violation of NYC non-discrimination laws and the school has
been sued by some students and the ACLU (lawsuit still pending after
a couple of dismissals). While we didn't apply for housing because
we have a dog and pets are not allowed in the student housing, 2
years ago I was literally chased out of the school gym by a
screaming manager when I tried to purchase a spouse membership. The
school's position stems from their affiliation to Yeshiva
University, an Orthodox Jewish school. Several faculties and
students are also Orthodox Jews and support the school's position on
this issue. When I read the guy's response I had a paranoia attack
and I thought that maybe he really doesn't consider me a "family
member" and that was a nice way of giving me the boot. These were
the "non-musical" reasons I was alluding to and somehow a doubt
still lingers on the back of my mind ... Sorry for the digression
... I had to vent
I
think I will start looking for chamber music partners instead ...
---Rosario
|
DWThomas
Registered User
(9/7/00 11:17:08 am)
Reply |
Re:
Bummer
Hmmm...
Take three deep
breaths, hop up to that DQ in Old Saybrook and have a
Blizzard!
Sadly, there's far too much fundamentalist activity
going out of its way to hurt people in this country. I'd like to
think we're more enlightened than that, but it keeps happening. We
seem to forget the reasons our ancestors came here (and bumped off
the natives -- but I think I better stop now...
)
Dave
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jekerry
Registered User
(9/7/00 11:33:07 am)
Reply |
Re:
Bummer
What a horrible place to go to
school! Spend as little time as possible there, it will only make
you doubt yourself. Life is too short to be around negative,
shallow, prejudice people. I'm sure you can find much better places
to play music and make friends. Does your partner need to stay there
much longer? Run for the hills and save yourself the
heartache!
Good luck,
Jane
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