A Music Trip; to Inspire My Inner Emotion...
This is my second year of participating in APAC Orchestra, however it is a completely different experience and I have learned so much from this event, both musically and mentally. I feel very honored to be selected among all the celloists in
our school, to join APAC orchestra. This really means a lot to me, because I experienced once last year (APAC orchestra 2007-2008 in Seoul Foreign School) and it was unforgettable. Playing with 100+ musicians from so many other international schools gave me a lot of opportunity to meet new friends, learn from each other, meet famous conductors, learn more about music, moreover, to motivate myself with musical studies especially with the cello. Our HS Orchestra conductor, Ms. Bulteel, arranged a few rehearsals before we went to Shanghai (CISS) to give us opportunity to test out how the music sounds like with other members of the string families. During these rehearsals I participated all of them, because this is my commitment, moreover, these rehearsal really help me to be prepare for a higher level of understanding of the music when we get to meet our guest conductor. Every thing starts with the basics, and the basics for music is rhythm, intonation, dynamics, this year we had lots of wonderful music, but they are really challenging for me, especially the Serenade for Strings Opus.48 Movements 3 and 4 by Tchaikovsky. In order to be prepared for the festival, I practiced a lot and I think I got to know more about my instrument and it’s geography (the distances between notes) better than before. I worked collaboratively with our school’s students as well, especially with our cello section; we discuss the bowings, and the style that we should be playing.
The aim for the festival was to develop students’ sensitivity in music and orchestral expressions, and I think I achieved it with the guidance from our guest conductor, Dr. Sandra Dockow, and the other players from our school and other schools. This is my fourth year playing cello and I think the main reason that I was selected to
join APAC because I have passion for music. Since I have passion for it, I practiced and worked hard to achieve all the difficulties that I have (with high positions, and accuracy of intonations). During the rehearsals, I paid full attention to the conductor, although having to rehearse eight hours per day physically and mentally, it’s really tiring. Here are some quotes that I couldn’t forget:
“What differentiates a professional orchestra and an armature orchestra is that one follows the conductor and one doesn’t.”
“Use full bows! Fast bows! Speed is important!”
“No body goes on without me!”
“Glasses!” (means watch the conductor, be aware of a change)
These are all the words that our conductor, Dr. Dackow, kept reinforcing and emphasizing, and eventually, as a group of string players, we did it! Following the conductor is one of the hardest challenges for this year’s group. It is because we have a lot of players and sometimes it’s really hard to get everybody to play the same (same timing, same bowing). Especially with the new schools who haven’t gotten a chance to experience playing in such a large group, it was even more challenging. I think I did well with following the conductor. When I was playing, I not only played the notes with the right rhythm, I also tried to taste and understand what the composer is trying to tell us from his/her music. One of the ways to know is to follow the conductor. The conductor gives us a lot of support with understanding the deeper meaning of music. Each movement of her conducting, gives us clues about how long or short we should hold the note; what style we should play the phrase in.
I’m very glad to have the chance to sit in the front of the section.
the first stand of the second cello section. This opportunity of leadership was very meaningful to me. It’s great to be in the front because I am very close to the conductor, and I could hear, see her very clearly. When she conducts, I follow her very well. I met a new cello player in this festival, who sat behind me, and she said that she would often look at me and follow my bowings; I was very happy when I heard that, because this is the first time for being a leader in a large group of players. Although I’m not first cello section (who usually are the best players), I’m very thankful for my hard work that helped me to develop my cello skills, and gave my the opportunity to be the leader of the second cello section.
One of the unforgettable memories that I gained from APAC was that I really enjoy the feeling of four instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass), 100+ players, and the conductor, creating music together. It is because playing together with others and listen to each others can really convey
meaningful message to listeners, a mature and deep message. For example the Serenade for Strings Opus.48 Movement 3 and 4 by Tchaikovsky piece, there are times when we(cello players) need to show off (when we have melody), and there are times when we need to back off (when they don’t have melody). Thinking about this ‘show off and back off theory’, I think it can also apply to daily life. Sometimes when we are the main character, we should stand up and stand out to perform or to show what we got; however, there are also times when other people are the main characters, so we should give them the stage to do the same thing. The idea of “back off” also means support the “main character”; and this is an important thing as well. During this rehearsal the conductor said a joke, but a joke that we could get a lot out of it:
“What’s the difference between a violin and viola?
Violin has a big head.” (Meaning they show off more than viola)
Violas can be seen as the “shy character” of the string family, because it doesn’t have many solo parts as the violins. Although they look alike in style and in size, violin
s almost always have the melody. I like how the conductor encourages the viola players. I think she told us the joke to encourage the violas to play more confidently and to show off more when they have the solo parts. She even asked the viola section to stand up when they have a solo part. Honesty, this is the first time when I heard violas’ true sound; it is actually a really beautiful instrument as well! I was also impressed by voice of the viola. Through this small event, I think it helped me to develop the appreciation for other instruments. Another example of learning to respect other is when Dr. Dackow says: “Don’t pluck the strings!” As string players we often have the habit of plugging strings and practicing before the actual rehearsals, or any time when we are not playing as a group. Very often, the conductor would stop the whole orchestra and work with one section, some people from other sections would start to plug, and have their own practice sessions. Dr. Dackow often told us not to do so, because it is not respectful to the others and I think that is true.
I think playing cello, and enjoying music made my life more colourful! It is because:
Playing music can sometimes bring me out of reality and into fantasy;
Playing music can sometimes express my emotions and feelings;
Playing music can sometimes help me to understand relationships;
Playing music can sometimes motivate me to improve;
Playing music can sometimes teach me to respect others;
Playing music can sometimes help me think;
Playing music have so many positive influences on me and I can go on and on and on; however, my point is this APAC trip inspires me mentally, emotionally , and musically!
This is my second year of participating in APAC Orchestra, however it is a completely different experience and I have learned so much from this event, both musically and mentally. I feel very honored to be selected among all the celloists in
our school, to join APAC orchestra. This really means a lot to me, because I experienced once last year (APAC orchestra 2007-2008 in Seoul Foreign School) and it was unforgettable. Playing with 100+ musicians from so many other international schools gave me a lot of opportunity to meet new friends, learn from each other, meet famous conductors, learn more about music, moreover, to motivate myself with musical studies especially with the cello. Our HS Orchestra conductor, Ms. Bulteel, arranged a few rehearsals before we went to Shanghai (CISS) to give us opportunity to test out how the music sounds like with other members of the string families. During these rehearsals I participated all of them, because this is my commitment, moreover, these rehearsal really help me to be prepare for a higher level of understanding of the music when we get to meet our guest conductor. Every thing starts with the basics, and the basics for music is rhythm, intonation, dynamics, this year we had lots of wonderful music, but they are really challenging for me, especially the Serenade for Strings Opus.48 Movements 3 and 4 by Tchaikovsky. In order to be prepared for the festival, I practiced a lot and I think I got to know more about my instrument and it’s geography (the distances between notes) better than before. I worked collaboratively with our school’s students as well, especially with our cello section; we discuss the bowings, and the style that we should be playing.The aim for the festival was to develop students’ sensitivity in music and orchestral expressions, and I think I achieved it with the guidance from our guest conductor, Dr. Sandra Dockow, and the other players from our school and other schools. This is my fourth year playing cello and I think the main reason that I was selected to
join APAC because I have passion for music. Since I have passion for it, I practiced and worked hard to achieve all the difficulties that I have (with high positions, and accuracy of intonations). During the rehearsals, I paid full attention to the conductor, although having to rehearse eight hours per day physically and mentally, it’s really tiring. Here are some quotes that I couldn’t forget:“What differentiates a professional orchestra and an armature orchestra is that one follows the conductor and one doesn’t.”
“Use full bows! Fast bows! Speed is important!”
“No body goes on without me!”
“Glasses!” (means watch the conductor, be aware of a change)
These are all the words that our conductor, Dr. Dackow, kept reinforcing and emphasizing, and eventually, as a group of string players, we did it! Following the conductor is one of the hardest challenges for this year’s group. It is because we have a lot of players and sometimes it’s really hard to get everybody to play the same (same timing, same bowing). Especially with the new schools who haven’t gotten a chance to experience playing in such a large group, it was even more challenging. I think I did well with following the conductor. When I was playing, I not only played the notes with the right rhythm, I also tried to taste and understand what the composer is trying to tell us from his/her music. One of the ways to know is to follow the conductor. The conductor gives us a lot of support with understanding the deeper meaning of music. Each movement of her conducting, gives us clues about how long or short we should hold the note; what style we should play the phrase in.
I’m very glad to have the chance to sit in the front of the section.
the first stand of the second cello section. This opportunity of leadership was very meaningful to me. It’s great to be in the front because I am very close to the conductor, and I could hear, see her very clearly. When she conducts, I follow her very well. I met a new cello player in this festival, who sat behind me, and she said that she would often look at me and follow my bowings; I was very happy when I heard that, because this is the first time for being a leader in a large group of players. Although I’m not first cello section (who usually are the best players), I’m very thankful for my hard work that helped me to develop my cello skills, and gave my the opportunity to be the leader of the second cello section.One of the unforgettable memories that I gained from APAC was that I really enjoy the feeling of four instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass), 100+ players, and the conductor, creating music together. It is because playing together with others and listen to each others can really convey
meaningful message to listeners, a mature and deep message. For example the Serenade for Strings Opus.48 Movement 3 and 4 by Tchaikovsky piece, there are times when we(cello players) need to show off (when we have melody), and there are times when we need to back off (when they don’t have melody). Thinking about this ‘show off and back off theory’, I think it can also apply to daily life. Sometimes when we are the main character, we should stand up and stand out to perform or to show what we got; however, there are also times when other people are the main characters, so we should give them the stage to do the same thing. The idea of “back off” also means support the “main character”; and this is an important thing as well. During this rehearsal the conductor said a joke, but a joke that we could get a lot out of it:“What’s the difference between a violin and viola?
Violin has a big head.” (Meaning they show off more than viola)
Violas can be seen as the “shy character” of the string family, because it doesn’t have many solo parts as the violins. Although they look alike in style and in size, violin
I think playing cello, and enjoying music made my life more colourful! It is because:
Playing music can sometimes bring me out of reality and into fantasy;
Playing music can sometimes express my emotions and feelings;
Playing music can sometimes help me to understand relationships;
Playing music can sometimes motivate me to improve;
Playing music can sometimes teach me to respect others;
Playing music can sometimes help me think;
Playing music have so many positive influences on me and I can go on and on and on; however, my point is this APAC trip inspires me mentally, emotionally , and musically!
