Day 7: What NYO Does For Fun

Here's a list of some activities NYO-USA members do for fun during free time:

Water Balloon Throwing Contests (and fights):

Lots of splashes and giggles!

Card Games (Particularly Egyptian Rat Screw):

A possible danger hazard for musicians' fingers...

Frisbee, Soccer, Kickball, etc.:

This is for people who like to run around

Talking and Socializing with Ice Cream from the Campus More Store:

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream from the More Store!

And finally, practicing (of course):

We are all music nerds at heart.

Day 6: Real Pictures

Here are some real photos to commemorate the day!

Our third rehearsal - definitely ran into a few difficulties and struggled a bit, but hopefully the next rehearsal will be much better!

Pre-rehearsal Photo

Last Sectional - It is so sad that Mark Kosower will be leaving soon!

NYO Cello Section with Mark Kosower

Cello Video Shoot - Just a little hint of it, to keep everyone excited about the video that is to come!

Photo Credits to the talented Matthew Chow!

Thanks everyone for reading my blog! Stay tuned...:)

Day 5: Artistic Inspiration

Today was the first time the orchestra read through the new piece commissioned specifically for NYO-USA - Samuel Adam's Radial Play. Our individual parts seemed so eccentric by themselves that it was impossible to know what the entire piece sounded like. But once we began, it was so amazing - it seemed as if colors were blooming from the sky as the harpist played a series of notes and one by one the other instruments joined in with little twirls and sparks. 

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I had synesthesia (when you can see colors from sound)

While it seemed like it couldn't get any better after a successful rehearsal, I was even more inspired during the cello master class with Mark Kosower. I played a bit of the Schumann Cello Concerto first movement for him, and the insight he gave was extremely beneficial (I took so many detailed notes in my journal afterwards so I could remember for the years to come!). Everyone in the audience loved it when Mr. Kosower demonstrated a passage, since his sound was so gorgeous and his phrasing was so well thought-out and beautiful. 

All the other cellists who played today were so talented. Aside from Schumann's cello concerto, we heard a haunting and alluring Britten solo suite, the classic Dvorak Cello Concerto, the sweet and elegant Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations, and the worldly Prelude to Bach Suite No. 5. Cheers to a wonderful cello section!

Day 4: The First Sound

Elements of Our First Rehearsal

Helpful Notes to non-musician friends: 
1. The picture of the gnome is inspired by the "Gnomus" movement in Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition
2. The picture of the chick is from a sketch by Victor Hartmann that inspired the "Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks" movement in Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition

Day 3: Bonding Through Auditions and Sectionals

It was beautiful this afternoon, but barely a soul was to be seen walking around the campus of Purchase College. That was because the strings had seating auditions today, and almost everyone was tucked cozily into a practice room, patiently going through excerpts with a keen ear.

It would be incorrect of me to say that there was no feeling of competition among the members of each section. But often with the stressful and nerve-racking audition experience comes a mutual support and cooperation between members. We all share the same clammy hands right before playing, we all share the same difficulties with certain excerpts, and we all give each other encouragement and laugh at our little slips after the audition.

Sectionals also really helped to shape the overall sound. Mark Kosower, Principal Cellist of the Cleveland Orchestra and our cello coach, was absolutely amazing with getting through tough spots in the music and helping the cellists play together musically.

A little hint: the cello section is planning something very special and classy to present to the public in a few weeks! Keep on the lookout for all the incoming social media posts from NYO-USA to stay in the loop!

Day 2: Icebreaker Day

On a day dedicated entirely to ice breaker activities, one might imagine a great deal of shuffling feet, nervous stares, and overenthusiastic resident assistants. But at NYO-USA, everyone seemed so eager to participate and become a part of the family. I initially had some concerns that the returning NYO members would find themselves somewhat distant from the rest of the incoming group, and vice versa, but after today I can safely say that I am so proud to be part of such a friendly and heartwarming orchestra that has some of the best people - both musically and personally.  

The camaraderie is pervasive:

From the early morning jog, with more than ten new and old members running together (and me at my own pace)...

To the cheerful greeting from a fellow musician while walking to breakfast;

From a fun-filled Instagram Scavenger Game...

To the cheers and great applause when all the amazing staff and faculty were introduced onstage during orientation;

From the jokes and laughter at dinner...

To the gigantic group of people mixing and mingling in the front of Fort Awesome before curfew, talking about all sorts of things possible (and playing games).

Imagine what it will be like once the music begins!

Note: Drawing on paint at 1:30 am in the morning seriously decreases the quality of the drawings. It's time to get rested!

Day 1 of NYO-USA

I was the second to arrive, bright and early in the morning at Purchase College. But despite the lack of other students, I immediately felt at home in "Fort Awesome". Once all the staff arrived with the finishing touches, everything seemed so real! NYO-USA Round 2 has officially begun!

Throughout the course of the day, the number of NYO musicians multiplied, from two early comers to eight to over one hundred! What really struck me was the camaraderie that immediately ensued as each person eagerly looked forward to meeting the other members of their section and the orchestra.

All joined together in the name of music!

Today was a relaxing wonderful day, and tomorrow holds even more fun, when the icebreaker activities begin!

T-Minus 1 Day: Airplane Antics

A lot of you probably wonder...how do I transport my cello around on the airplane?

Well, I have to carry my cello on my back wherever I go. It's a big responsibility, and we musicians tend to treat our instruments as our precious babies. It's a musician's worst nightmare to have TSA agents opening up the case and poking around with suspicion. But luckily, my travel experiences so far have been fairly smooth and easy!

 

I buy an extra seat for my cello every time I fly. It's expensive...not to mention the extra problems that come with hauling a cello around on my back in the tiny aircraft:

But of course, flying with my cello comes with lots of quirks. It's super easy to start a conversation with the person sitting next to me. My cello is my constant companion, never complaining and always being there for me whenever I need someone to lean on. Plus, I always get a few chuckles from people sitting nearby with this joke:

And I'm off to New York for NYO-USA in just a few hours! But in the meantime, Happy Fourth of July everyone!

T-Minus 2 Days: How I Practice

This is how I've been practicing for the past few weeks:

T-minus 3 Days Until NYO-USA

Twenty-four musicians will be returning to NYO-USA this year!

Old Music: Gershwin's Porgy and Bess; New Music: West Side Story Symphonic Dances, Britten Violin Concerto, Samuel Adam's Radial Play, and Pictures at an Exhibition

PAC: Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, NY

The procrastination will only get worse...