It is now the summer of 2014. The summer before my senior year at Wheaton Conservatory. So much has happened! So much has changed. I have learned more about myself and more about how the world works than I thought possible in such a short amount of time.
My love for playing the cello has grown with each and every practice session, each rehearsal, each performance. I was fortunate enough to tour with three different conservatory ensembles last year. I had the time of my life, and wish I could do it all over again! My fellow musicians inspired and encouraged me as we played beautiful music together in a wide variety of states, venues, and situations. The music got better, the friendships grew stronger, and I consider my tour-mates family now.
My interest in music history has grown such that I intend to pursue a master's in musicology after graduating from Wheaton. That sounds so strange! I can't imagine leaving a place that has become home. I dreamed so long and so hard about attending Wheaton and I would not trade it for the world. It's hard to let that dream come to completion, to have a new dream beyond that. Yet that is exactly what is happening, exactly what happens with each new chapter of our lives.
In the meantime, I am excited to take on the role of President of the Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra! We have so much wonderful music to perform next year! One excellent experience will be performing Haydn's Creation with Maestro John Nelson conducting the combined choirs and orchestra. What a wonderful performance that will be!
My senior year promises to be full of wonderful music, beautiful experiences, excellent friendships that continue to grow, and bittersweet goodbyes at the end. But I won't dwell on the end just yet. There's too much left to come!
Friday, July 11, 2014
Monday, August 6, 2012
Sweet Summertime
This summer has been most excellent in many ways.
1. I have adored spending time with my family. I have always had such a good relationship with my little brothers, and being away at school did nothing to diminish our bond. They were happy to see me, and we have had wonderful adventures together this summer. They are both taller than me now! This is something of an adjustment - but I will always be the oldest.
2. It has been nice to stop and rest a bit. The school year was absolutely crazy! I have enjoyed having a little time to myself.
3. Credo. I absolutely love my camp, and this year I was old enough to be a counselor! I was able to work more closely with the Peter and Vicky Slowik because of my counselor status, and I learned invaluable lessons in logistics, planning, people skills, and compassion. I was also blessed to be part of an excellent quartet at Credo, playing Mendelssohn's Eb Major quartet. We named ourselves "Aestas," which means "summer" in Latin. Appropriate, yes? We played beautifully together.
The other counselors were all excellent musicians, and I was fortunate to spend such quality time with them. We are the future of classical music, and I am sure we will all be in close touch throughout the years. The contacts we make now will stay with us and be useful forever.
I was blessed by my two chamber coaches, Dr. Stephen Clapp (dean emeritus of Juilliard), and Anne Martindale Williams (principal cellist of the Pittsburg Symphony). They were both encouraging and helpful. I also had lessons with Mrs. Williams, and with Bryan Dumm (cellist in the Cleveland Orchestra). I worked with Stuart Pincomb, a baroque cellist, and had a chamber masterclass with Marilyn Macdonald (violin professor at Oberlin Conservatory). Everyone was kind, professional, and extremely helpful. It was an incredible experience.
All the kids were precious, as well! They were extremely well behaved, which was great for the stress level of the counselors! I enjoyed working with them, and they became dear friends.
The camp ended with a stunning performance of Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony in Severance Hall. I fell in love with that hall! It was so amazing to play such a beautiful symphony with dear friends in such a phenomenal concert hall.
So, if any of you are interested in a chamber-intensive camp that focuses on Developing the gift, Acknowledging the Source, and Responding in service, Credo is the best place in the entire world!
1. I have adored spending time with my family. I have always had such a good relationship with my little brothers, and being away at school did nothing to diminish our bond. They were happy to see me, and we have had wonderful adventures together this summer. They are both taller than me now! This is something of an adjustment - but I will always be the oldest.
2. It has been nice to stop and rest a bit. The school year was absolutely crazy! I have enjoyed having a little time to myself.
3. Credo. I absolutely love my camp, and this year I was old enough to be a counselor! I was able to work more closely with the Peter and Vicky Slowik because of my counselor status, and I learned invaluable lessons in logistics, planning, people skills, and compassion. I was also blessed to be part of an excellent quartet at Credo, playing Mendelssohn's Eb Major quartet. We named ourselves "Aestas," which means "summer" in Latin. Appropriate, yes? We played beautifully together.
The other counselors were all excellent musicians, and I was fortunate to spend such quality time with them. We are the future of classical music, and I am sure we will all be in close touch throughout the years. The contacts we make now will stay with us and be useful forever.
I was blessed by my two chamber coaches, Dr. Stephen Clapp (dean emeritus of Juilliard), and Anne Martindale Williams (principal cellist of the Pittsburg Symphony). They were both encouraging and helpful. I also had lessons with Mrs. Williams, and with Bryan Dumm (cellist in the Cleveland Orchestra). I worked with Stuart Pincomb, a baroque cellist, and had a chamber masterclass with Marilyn Macdonald (violin professor at Oberlin Conservatory). Everyone was kind, professional, and extremely helpful. It was an incredible experience.
All the kids were precious, as well! They were extremely well behaved, which was great for the stress level of the counselors! I enjoyed working with them, and they became dear friends.
The camp ended with a stunning performance of Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony in Severance Hall. I fell in love with that hall! It was so amazing to play such a beautiful symphony with dear friends in such a phenomenal concert hall.
So, if any of you are interested in a chamber-intensive camp that focuses on Developing the gift, Acknowledging the Source, and Responding in service, Credo is the best place in the entire world!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Semester 2
How can finals week be so quickly approaching? Where on earth did my second semester go? It is terribly true: time flies when you are having fun.
Fun is the only way I can describe this semester. No- no, I can describe it. Exciting, exhausting, exhilarating, incredible, excellent, unexpectedly glorious. Beautiful in every sense of the word. My friendships have grown, bonds have been strengthened. I will be friends with these people the rest of my life, God-willing. My progress as a cellist has been very good, very steady. I am pleased, all things considered. I am a much better musician than when I left home last fall, even than when I came back this Spring. I perform with less nervousness. That is such a blessing!
This week I will perform Samuel Zyman's "Suite for Two Cellos" (movement 1) with my fellow freshman cellist Nathan Barber. It is a gorgeous piece, and I am looking forward to the experience. It is such a new piece that few people have heard it; definitely a premier, as far as our own college is concerned.
What else can I say? As much as I love to write, I cannot convey all the beauty, all the joy, all the wonder of this time I have spent here thus far. I do not want it to end. I cannot wait for sophomore year! Until then, I shall study for finals, enjoy these last few weeks with this new Wheaton family, and prepare myself for summer and all the great experiences it holds for me. Credo counseling! I am thrilled. My music is my life, and I am grateful to be in a place that allows me to revel in it! Credo will allow me to continue my musical (and spiritual) growth throughout the summer.
I am so thankful to get to spend time with my family! That is my summer joy.
Fun is the only way I can describe this semester. No- no, I can describe it. Exciting, exhausting, exhilarating, incredible, excellent, unexpectedly glorious. Beautiful in every sense of the word. My friendships have grown, bonds have been strengthened. I will be friends with these people the rest of my life, God-willing. My progress as a cellist has been very good, very steady. I am pleased, all things considered. I am a much better musician than when I left home last fall, even than when I came back this Spring. I perform with less nervousness. That is such a blessing!
This week I will perform Samuel Zyman's "Suite for Two Cellos" (movement 1) with my fellow freshman cellist Nathan Barber. It is a gorgeous piece, and I am looking forward to the experience. It is such a new piece that few people have heard it; definitely a premier, as far as our own college is concerned.
What else can I say? As much as I love to write, I cannot convey all the beauty, all the joy, all the wonder of this time I have spent here thus far. I do not want it to end. I cannot wait for sophomore year! Until then, I shall study for finals, enjoy these last few weeks with this new Wheaton family, and prepare myself for summer and all the great experiences it holds for me. Credo counseling! I am thrilled. My music is my life, and I am grateful to be in a place that allows me to revel in it! Credo will allow me to continue my musical (and spiritual) growth throughout the summer.
I am so thankful to get to spend time with my family! That is my summer joy.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Back to Wheaton!
Suitcase? Packed and lying in wait beside my bed. Bow? Music? In case and backpack, respectively. Laptop? Ah, yes. In my lap, but soon it will be in said backpack. It is the only thing that remains, actually. I am ready to go back.
Most of my friends are already back in dear Fischer, but my plane leaves tomorrow morning, bright and early! I had one last beautiful night with my family, eating delicious food, cooking daring new desserts, playing music, and watching movies. I will miss them. I will miss this home.
This break has been so eventful! I played a wedding fit for a queen, my secondary cello exploded (never fear - my luthier is a miracle worker). We went on a road trip to Atlanta to visit my grandparents (it was so much fun!) I attended my old church; I saw so many people that I have not seen in ages! The general consensus amongst them is that I have not gained the freshman fifteen and I must have been fairly successful at school. Little do they know. (I shall refrain from inserting a smiley face here.)
And now a new semester begins. Who knows what it will bring? All I know is that tomorrow cannot arrive soon enough. I miss my Wheaton family so much! Seeing them again will be absolutely wonderful. I hope they are all prepared for giant hugs.
One more night, beloved Wheaton, and I will be home.
Most of my friends are already back in dear Fischer, but my plane leaves tomorrow morning, bright and early! I had one last beautiful night with my family, eating delicious food, cooking daring new desserts, playing music, and watching movies. I will miss them. I will miss this home.
This break has been so eventful! I played a wedding fit for a queen, my secondary cello exploded (never fear - my luthier is a miracle worker). We went on a road trip to Atlanta to visit my grandparents (it was so much fun!) I attended my old church; I saw so many people that I have not seen in ages! The general consensus amongst them is that I have not gained the freshman fifteen and I must have been fairly successful at school. Little do they know. (I shall refrain from inserting a smiley face here.)
And now a new semester begins. Who knows what it will bring? All I know is that tomorrow cannot arrive soon enough. I miss my Wheaton family so much! Seeing them again will be absolutely wonderful. I hope they are all prepared for giant hugs.
One more night, beloved Wheaton, and I will be home.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Home for the Holidays
Things I love about being home:
-Mom's cooking (of course this is first on the list)
-The music made by my family
-The games played and time spent with my family
-Not having to climb a ladder to get into bed
-Water pressure in the shower (credit for this goes to a facebook friend)
-Being able to drive my car!
-Free time
-Did I mention my Mom's cooking yet?
-Seeing all the people I have missed (and some that I haven't missed)
Things I miss about Wheaton:
-The people! The beloved friends, the times at the lunch table and dinner table, the conversations, the late night movies, the walks to and from the conservatory (even in the cold), the ideas, the energy, the community, everything that makes Wheaton what it is.
-My room, roommate, and suitemates!
-Fischer in general...
-The Conservatory
-My cello (I love the one here, but nothing beats my darling Henry)
-My dear friends (or did I mention that already?)
Nothing beats family time! I have the best of both worlds.
God Bless, and Merry Christmas week!
-Mom's cooking (of course this is first on the list)
-The music made by my family
-The games played and time spent with my family
-Not having to climb a ladder to get into bed
-Water pressure in the shower (credit for this goes to a facebook friend)
-Being able to drive my car!
-Free time
-Did I mention my Mom's cooking yet?
-Seeing all the people I have missed (and some that I haven't missed)
Things I miss about Wheaton:
-The people! The beloved friends, the times at the lunch table and dinner table, the conversations, the late night movies, the walks to and from the conservatory (even in the cold), the ideas, the energy, the community, everything that makes Wheaton what it is.
-My room, roommate, and suitemates!
-Fischer in general...
-The Conservatory
-My cello (I love the one here, but nothing beats my darling Henry)
-My dear friends (or did I mention that already?)
Nothing beats family time! I have the best of both worlds.
God Bless, and Merry Christmas week!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Travel
6:19 in the morning. Campus is quiet, of course, most everyone has already gone home. Finals are over, life is much more relaxed. Goodbyes have been said, hugs have been given, and planes have been caught. My journey begins in eleven minutes. Goodbye, most beloved Wheaton, until 2012. How far away that seems! I will miss you with all of my heart.
On a brighter note, I will be spending the next few weeks with my family! I am looking forward to eating Mom's cooking, playing Monopoly with my youngest brother, singing Broadway tunes with the middle brother, and playing with my Dad in a wedding my first morning back. Life is beautiful, and, while I will miss Wheaton, I am excited about family time.
So goodbye, darling Wheaton! My family awaits.
On a brighter note, I will be spending the next few weeks with my family! I am looking forward to eating Mom's cooking, playing Monopoly with my youngest brother, singing Broadway tunes with the middle brother, and playing with my Dad in a wedding my first morning back. Life is beautiful, and, while I will miss Wheaton, I am excited about family time.
So goodbye, darling Wheaton! My family awaits.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Thoughts
I cannot believe that my first semester in college is almost over! I have learned so much. My playing has improved an amazing amount, I can write and harmonize counterpoint, sight sing and dictate melodies, write better papers, and do my own laundry. I feel much more independent, yet I still rely on my family for support (and care packages!). I have made so many good friends, and my music is even more important to me now than it was before.
My professors and peers have all been so supportive! The environment for learning here is fantastic. I feel so much more knowledgeable now about the things I have been studying. I am ridiculously excited about next semester!
My favorite thing this semester has definitely been Symphony Orchestra. The conductor, the students, the music - all of it is remarkable. It is the best part of my week. I cannot wait for all the music we will be performing next semester, and our Spring Break Tour!
Spring Semester? Bring it on.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)