Strings Strange day...

[Tenor Viol]

Regular readers of this emporium will know that my main instrument is cello. I started it about the same time as sax (less than 4 years ago). I will accept I played at school, but was about grade 2 and then had a gap of 35 years...

Now, I'm OK at things like timing and rhythm, and I (mostly) don't get lost when playing in an orchestra/band (that's the advantage of 20+ years of choral singing)... but I'm grade 5 or 6 ish standard...

So, Monday I get asked could I help out with a concert later this year as they need "decent" cellists for a concert of Beethoven symphony #3 and Mendelssohn piano concerto #3... (that one is in Ormskirk - not exactly next door at about 55 miles away.

Today, I get approached by a colleague from another orchestra asking can I play in a concert in 10 days' time. Gloucestershire this time... I've looked at their web site "pro and semi-pro players". Now, I'm not going to kid myself - I don't come anywhere near that standard... but someone obviously thinks I can manage it... Repertoire is from musicals etc

Wondering what I've let myself in for - scarey or what?

 

[trimmy]

Give it a go, as you say someone believes in you (even if you don't) nothing to lose lots to gain !
Go for it !

 

[Targa]

Regular readers of this emporium will know that my main instrument is cello. I started it about the same time as sax (less than 4 years ago). I will accept I played at school, but was about grade 2 and then had a gap of 35 years...

Now, I'm OK at things like timing and rhythm, and I (mostly) don't get lost when playing in an orchestra/band (that's the advantage of 20+ years of choral singing)... but I'm grade 5 or 6 ish standard...

So, Monday I get asked could I help out with a concert later this year as they need "decent" cellists for a concert of Beethoven symphony #3 and Mendelssohn piano concerto #3... (that one is in Ormskirk - not exactly next door at about 55 miles away.

Today, I get approached by a colleague from another orchestra asking can I play in a concert in 10 days' time. Gloucestershire this time... I've looked at their web site "pro and semi-pro players". Now, I'm not going to kid myself - I don't come anywhere near that standard... but someone obviously thinks I can manage it... Repertoire is from musicals etc

Wondering what I've let myself in for - scarey or what?

Probably Sheridan Smith putting in a good word for you. (You've clicked).

 

[Alc.]

It must feel great to know someone thinks you are a 'decent' cellist. Show up, do your best; it will be a hoot. If it turns out you are an indecent cellist, go home, get your sax and return to show them what really indecent sounds like. I mean bite the reed while impersonating Big Jay McNeely, very loud. They will then reconsider your talent as cellist. It will still be a hoot. Good luck.

 

[Jeanette]

Great news Ron, accept the compliment and enjoy the playing, they wouldn't ask if they were not impressed.

Jx

 

[Colin the Bear]

It's always nice to be asked to play. Enjoy.

 

[Ivan]

Good luck

Sounds like fun

 

[Tenor Viol]

OK - concert was last night in Tewkesbury... talk about scary!

We turn up at 2pm for rehearsal - no one has seen the music - we sight read a couple of dozen music theatre pieces, some for orchestra alone, some to accompany a soloist and some to accompany a small choir.

The standard of the orchestra is very high, which is why they can just do one rehearsal and go!

I'm not sure I'm at their level, but I gave it a good shot. I thought I could hide on the back desk.... errm, the back desk was the front desk as there were only two cellos (should have been 5).

I don't think I made too much of an idiot of myself.

It was enjoyable.

 

[trimmy]

Was that to do with the medieval fest over the weekend ?

 

[Vlad]

Excellent stuff, looks like you blagged it then ! ....Very well done sir !

 

[MandyH]

I didn't notice any blinding errors!
I thought you all sounded very good, and I was impressed with the dynamics (every MD I've had has moaned about the sax's inability to play dynamics...!)

Sorry we couldn't stay for the 2nd half - I had been very ill overnight and was struggling by half time.

And that young soloist...wow!

 

[Tenor Viol]

No, it wasn't part of the medieval fair, there were plenty of medieval attired people about... Thank you Mandy for coming along - sorry we didn't manage to meet up.

The soloist is currently playing Shrek... He definitely had a big music theatre voice.

There were saxes in the orchestra... I think they were quite prominent in the Chicago medley.