Tag: orchestra

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High School Symphony Orchestra

September 10th, 2019

Investigation:

I have been with the middle school and high school symphony orchestra, as a cellist, since grade 8 in UWC. I have also played the cello in the orchestra at my old school from grade 6 to 8. I really like to play the cello and really like to play as a group in an orchestra, where we play a range of pieces from classical to modern to scene (movie) music. I want to continue playing the cello but also have aims of possibly playing the double bass on some occasions as we are missing a double bassist in our orchestra. I have skills in both these instruments which I can develop through the orchestra and work with the orchestra to develop my music skills.

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September 17th 2019

Preparation: 

In today’s session, we started looking and playing Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson which is a Christmas song which will be perfect for our Wavelengths concert in December. This is a string double bass part below which I will be playing which gives me a chance to try something new and jazzier with the double bass. This will be a new skill that I may be able to transfer to a possible chance at the Jazz band. In this session, we clarified our different roles as different musicians playing different instruments to practise at home and be able to play without sight-reading so we can improve as an ensemble, not as individual players.

#LO2

———————————————————————————————–September 27th, 2019

CAS Audio Conversation Reflection

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We’ve been working on a new piece which is Kashmir by Led Zepplin, which may seem unusual for an orchestra to play (as it is a rock song and not the more usual classical music piece) but it actually works. In this piece, I have to work around the rhythm and the notes are not too hard (I actually almost just play the D note in this piece) and listening to the other players. This will be a quite interesting piece to listen too and although I have a quite an easy part, it will still be fun to play this piece and something different as well.

November 26th, 2019,

Despite my skateboarding injury, I can still play, and it is getting better. We have been working on a new piece called Glow, and it is from Disney World of Colour Winters which will go nicely with our winter theme in the concert. This is a relatively easy piece despite being in B major (meaning lots of sharps so like black keys on a piano) and we are working with the choir in this piece. So it is a great learning opportunity to play music along with a choir which I actually haven’t done. It is both a new and familiar learning piece. The human voice is a special “instrument” so it is quite unfamiliar and new in that sense. So playing music to fit harmonically is a bit of a stretch, however, the same principle of listening to other players and one’s own in an orchestra is essentially the same thing. So that is a skill I am developing through the partnership with the choir in this piece, as shown below.

#LO2

December 18th 2019

Action:

Today I had my concert where I played the three pieces: Kashmir, Sleigh Ride and Glow. We had two dress rehearsal before the concert, one on Saturday last week and one on Tuesday of that week. From my point of view, the concert went really well, not only our performance but all the other performances including jazz band, Sonos (singers), marimba, samba and more. This year, the concert was quite unusual this year where instead of a traditional formal concert, there were a lot of unusual acts along with the music. For instance, the circus club performed with the middle school orchestra, there was salsa dancing in the jazz band, solo performances, and for the first time, we played along with singers in the string ensemble. Also, not to mention that the pieces we played in the orchestra were very untraditional, and not classical. We played a quite a jazzy Christmas piece and a rock piece along with drums, electric bass guitar and electric guitar. There were no classical pieces either.

 

More evidence (more?)

 

December 19th 2019

Reflection and Demonstration:

The concert went really well even if I made a few minor mistakes in playing, but luckily in an ensemble, it is barely noticeable. However, since the double bass is a relatively new instrument and I’m the only one, it does require me to really focus and the double bass is sort of like the rhythm and I guess engine of an ensemble so I have to keep it steady. Also, playing more vibratos and better bowing will be things I will be working towards next year and next year’s concert in March.

It has been really fun to work with the ensemble and the concert was both amazing and fun to perform in. By trusting that others in an ensemble will practice and have as much fun as you have, it can create a really exciting and great performance.

#LO1, #LO4, #LO5

February 13th, 2020

In the Symphony Orchestra, we have started two new pieces, of them is the Greatest Showman which we will play together with the Middle School Orchestra and the other a Brahms piece (the fourth symphony). His piece is from the Romantic classical period, so for a double bassist, the pieces may be difficult with difficult rhythms and melodic harmonies that are similar to a cello solo or violin melody. So this will be something to work on. In addition, we have tried playing a few theme songs from Lord of the Rings and the Firebird by Igor Stravinsky. These have been more sight-reading practices. I am not too bad a sight-reading, but when it is with difficult rhythms and high notes, especially on a relatively new instrument like the Double Bass, it will be challenging. However, I am committed and these are great practices, that can even help with other instruments I play like the piano. Despite this, I also think that being able to hear and interpret music is also important, and not just reading exactly what is on the page. Sort of like poetry, interpret the meaning or theme or idea that the poet is trying to convey.

Today, I have also been fortunate to practice with the Jazz band, on a piece called the Sunny Side of the Street. This is a relatively easy piece because it is a solo and there is a rigid form (of course I can add some improvisation). Also, instead of only giving the loos skeleton structure and having to create a bass line or walking bass line, I can follow the notes given as shown below similar to any other piece I play in the orchestra or Chamber Ensemble. So I guess it is an easy start however, I will working on a few bass solos and perhaps do some improvising but still largely keeping to the written notes on the sheet. This sort of music is meant to be exact and not laid back, pieces during this era usually kept at the same pace and with precision and tightness (not quick agitated ones but full and concise ones) on notes.

#LO4, #LO2, #LO1

14th June 2020

Almost nothing has happened in terms of orchestral music but I have continued my learning of the double bass and other instruments at home. For instance, instead of partaking in an ensemble with others, I did it myself through an app called Acapella. I have recorded many jazz pieces by playing the piano, double bass, guitar and since I have an electric piano, saxophone and drum kits sound as well. Even if I am not actually playing these instruments like the sax or drums or trumpets, or just brass and wind instruments in general, I have developed an appreciation and some knowledge in the ways they replayed in an ensemble. What I mean is that for an instant the sax usually plays the melody or improvises and solo, the drums provide the backbone of the piece and I have learnt a few jazz and R&B type beats and so on. I have played Green Onions, All of Me, In the Mood, Blue Bossa, Autumn Leaves and more. So this has been a fantastic experience to develop and improve on the strengths that I have in many areas of music and musical instruments.

I will certainly partake in the symphony orchestra next year, most likely playing the double bass but perhaps the cello in some cases. It has been a great chance to continue the orchestral journey I have had since middle school across two different schools. I absolutely love the experiences I have had and there are a few sentimental feelings in playing in the ensembles as I have played in them for so long and have always been enjoyable. I have improved my skills in new instruments and improved my listening skills as well. I will be grateful for the experiences I have had in the symphony orchestra.

#LO1, #LO4

22nd September 2020

I had my first orchestral session today as I was sick last week and I am quite excited about this piece. Like last year it has elements of jazz (The piece is neo-classical but has elements of jazz and 20th-century music styles). So the real difficulty I have had is switching from the thinking in the emphasis on beats 1 and 3 to 2 and 4. Sometimes it is really difficult to get that pattern but once it is set it becomes second nature. It is sort of like flying to another country and adapting to the new time zone, so I am switching my inner clock to another style. My aim in this year’s orchestral session is really to have fun, it is my last year here and I want to make most of it. I love playing music so orchestral pieces will be fun and hopefully, I can spread that joy in performances if that will be allowed of course due to Covid-19.

#LO1, #LO4

24th November 2020

We had a recording session of the piece above which was exciting and great. I made a few mistakes (with the rhythm) so I think that my goal for future pieces is to really work with the rhythm as that is often the most difficult part of a music piece for me. It is nearing the end of the year and we have just been practising a few Christmas music that we will record for the younger students at our school. Next year, we will start more classical pieces of music and although it is nearing the end, the symphony orchestra has truly been a great experience and I will miss playing with a big, talented group. I am also grateful that I have been able to challenge myself with the double bass. I hope that in the future, perhaps during my time in university, I will still be able to practice music and play in some sort of band or orchestra because it has really been a fascinating and exciting experience throughout my time here but also at other schools. I was quite fortunate in grade 6 in my old school because we all had to play an instrument and in the school orchestra. I realised how much I really enjoy playing music so I am really grateful for that experience at my old school.

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Final Reflection Post on Skills: Playing cello in a Symphony Orchestra

For my NYAA I started my activity in September of 2017 and finished in October 2018. However, I am still in the orchestra and I hope to continue through my High School years. The orchestra has taught me many things and most of all has been a lot of fun. One of the most important skills in an orchestra is listening to other musicians, and I have developed this skill and have seen the impact on my listening skills.

Furthermore, every piece that we practice requires a lot of practice and having the hard-working mentality has been very helpful in my academic classes. In addition to that, I have grown as a musician, being able to play a variety of genres and also expand my knowledge of music. The orchestra has inspired me to play or at least inspire me to play other instruments. Nowadays, I sometimes record a piece on a piano and then play it while I play the cello piece. Although it is great to play solo, I  believe playing in an ensemble such as an orchestra makes the music experience so much more engaging and fun which is why I have tried to play multiple instruments to get that feeling. This makes music much more engaging and fun. My grandmother came and visited us in December and January of 2017/2018and we played together as an ensemble (she the piano and me the cello) for some Swedish tunes which were extremley rewarding and fun, especially in front of a crowd.

Thus, I think it is safe to say that I have made a quite considerable amount of progress as a cellist, and a musician in an orchestra or an ensemble. Finally, through the variety of pieces/genres (we have played rock, pop, classical, scene music, and more), we have played and from previous ensembles and orchestra from previous schools, I have now explored new genres of music for cello and piano. Right now, I am playing Bohemian Rhapsody by the queen on both piano and cello and have started composing new pieces of my own creation inspired by other pieces or from my imagination. For the future, I would like to play other instruments such as the French horn, drums, bass, saxophone, flute and more.

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Personal Statement

In the midst of the Midsummer’s day, or midsommarsdag as known in Sweden, and right at the coast of the southernmost point in Sweden stood a cottage so ordinary in Skåne (southern Sweden). Close to it, a juniper and moss-shaded green, and quite an ordinary forest shielded the fierce wind from the Baltic sea that day. However, what lay deep in the forest was a trädkoja, which in Swedish translates to a treehouse, but what was strange about it, wasn’t because it stood out, but rather because it blended right into the birches and ashes. You see, the treehouse was built with natural materials around it, no tools were needed in the construction except a saw, but there was a ladder from an old playground nearby. It gave a new meaning to sustainable architecture. Cousins, siblings, aunts and uncles from all over Skåne came, and either admire or aided the construction. Despite the few days when the logs from the second level fell down on unsuspected visitors or even one time when the whole structure broke down, we managed to build it up again and make it even sturdier. Hence, this expresses one of the fundamental passions that I have which has somewhat woven intertwined with each other is the environment and design.

Furthermore, in terms of academics, I don’t have any huge goals at the moment. I feel like the effort that I am putting in now is sufficient, sometimes even too much. Therefore, my “goal” in the academic side of things is to continue that effort and work that I am doing in academics. Of course, if there is anything that I in the future have trouble with, I will do as I have always done, to work hard onto improve that particular topic. As mentioned before my two passions are the enviornment and the design, or a least so far. Likewise, for service I am going to continue in Grade 10 to do the services that relate to the environment which are Climate Change and Clean Energy (college service), Urban Gardening (college service, East Solar Initiative (service started by a student) and Gili Eco Trust (Global Concern). Moreover, I used to play a great deal of sports, and a range of sports as well. I have been trying to balance academic and activities as well as service but it hasn’t worked out as I wanted to. Although I wish I could compete in a team, I don’t have time for that. This is why I have decided to do Floorball on Wednesdays and Badminton on Saturdays. Thus, for next year, I will do a similar sort of arrangement. In order to look slightly beyond my time in High School, I think it is safe to say, or at least at the moment, that my plan is to enroll in a university that considers environmental sustainability, and study/purse architecture (specialising in sustainable and “green” architecture) or something that relates to the environment. This isn’t the final plan, but I suppose it is good enough for now. The university that I would enrol in would probably be in Sweden, as I am Swedish and because they are free there, or possibly Canada, as I have a Canadian passport (my father’s Canadian)

I am not that type of person who wants to be the best at everything (although it may seem like it to some people, I really wish it weren’t true that I am good (not perfect or best) at a lot of things) or the person who does extra work, doing internships or anything like that. However, maybe I should consider doing some work that relates do what I am passionate about. In addition to that, at times, I feel like I have too many services that I commit to. Furthermore, I am in the High School Symphony Orchestra because I like that type of music and playing the cello (although I really want to try some jazz instruments because that is also something I’m interested in). In fact, I had real trouble deciding whether to do RM (resistant materials) or Music. I want to be that type of person at the High School concerts who is in the background and plays a range of instruments. My goal for music is to play in the orchestra for High School Musical next year and to perhaps try a range or a different instrument, and be more involved in the school concerts.

For me, except for my passion and the importance of environmentalism, I think that one of the most profound belief that I have is that everyone should have some purpose, something that is significant, even it is small, it has to have some impact. Of course, I would hope that one would do something good, but even it is bad, it should be significant. I don’t believe in any higher deity, but I feel like if your alive, you have to do something that is worthwhile. In the back of my mind, I sometimes feel hatred toward obnoxious jerks or if I feel like some person doesn’t care about the environment or other people. That they are selfish or that if they didn’t exist (I am sorry about this, but this is truly how I feel sometimes) nothing would change, or that the world would be a better place. Of course, if all humans didn’t exist, the world would definitely be a significantly better place, but I think you know what I mean. Thankfully, I don’t lash out or do something mean to them, but this is a problem but also a deep belief that I have.

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Wavelengths Concert

On Wednesday the 13th in December,  I finally had a concert (Wavelengths) with my orchestra. We had to rehearse a lot before that. That Saturday during the week, we had to practice 2 hours with the middle school orchestra since our conductor wanted both orchestras to play “Dance of the Tumblers”. In addition to that, we had a sneak-peak or preview on Tuesday which at the same time, we talked about our instruments and the orchestra to the junior students (as in elementary school, not juniors in high school as they call it in the U.S.A). It was great fun that day but there was a lot of rehearsing and practicing before Wavelengths.

On Wednesday we had a two-hour rehearsal as well so as a result of that, I had to miss mathematics to meet this rehearsal. Furthermore, I was able to see the other performers and I thought all were really good. I liked the jazz bands, the singers, the Focus Africa group and even the Samba group as well. There were four segments in the entire concert. The first one was in the plaza where the Focus Africa group played their marimba and the Samba band played their instruments.

After that, the audience had to move to the second segment in the auditorium which was the bands such as the jazz bands. The third segment was the singers and there were many. I especially enjoyed the small group of high school singers which were really good. Kind of like High School Musical, just joking. Anyways, the final segment was the orchestral one and that is where I played.

During the second-half of the first piece which was the Holzberg piece or Suite im Alten Style prelude, my endpin of the cello slipped and some saw it who were at the front but luckily not my parents. In order to not cause any trouble, I had to hold the cello tightly and in some parts, fake what I was playing. However, the other two pieces went really well despite the fact that I didn’t have much room as I normally do because I was much closer to my cellist next to me on the left and really close to the violist on my right, therefore, hindering my performance.

Finally, even though there were some accidents and mistakes (not necessarily in the piece), my family, including my grandmother who was visiting, though it was amazing to hear me.

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Orchestra

I am also apart of the High School orchestra where I play the cello, A.K.A violoncello. We will have a concert on December 13th and we have been working on Beethoven’s 5th Symphony Finale and the Dance of the Tumblers by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakoff from “Snow Maiden” which was arranged by Sandra Dackow. However, we have also been working on another piece called Suite Im Alten style composed by Edvard Grieg, a Norwegian Composer, which I thought was a rather difficult piece than the first two.I have been working a lot on my articulation and bowing which are the two areas I struggle the most. We have got a lot of Violinists but only two playing the viola. We also got many playing flutes and clarinets, and some playing brass instruments as well.  Although it can be tough because many have been playing for many more years than me because they are older, it has been really rewarding and I have improved a lot. Furthermore,  my grandmother will be visiting in December and it it will be a great pleasure to show her what I have done in my concert. My aunt, a composer and music enthusiast, really like the music we are playing and I have kept the music as a surprise to my family, including my grandmother. All in all, it has been great pleasure joining the Orchestra and the pieces are really good.

Update: 15th March
I am now playing a piece by Carl Nielsen which is the Scene Music for the play Aladdin. It is also called the Oriental Festmarch. I am also playing a piece by Joseph Hayden and it is called Menuette in D major. We will have a concert on the 24th of March and I feel really good about the pieces. We have focused on intonation as well as tempo.

Ludwig van Beethoven:

Me standing up after a Middle School Performance with the cello:

 

Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakoff:

Edvard Greig:

Carl Nielsen:

Image result for carl nielsen

Joseph Hayden:

Image result for joseph haydn

Aladdin:

Image result for aladdin

Courtesy and Quick Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAI_National_Symphony_Orchestra

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Haydn

https://www.paladino.at/people/nikolay-rimsky-korsakov

https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/edvard-grieg-462.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Nielsen