Apr 28
It seems there are two kinds of people in the world: those who react positively and those who react negatively in the presence of someone who is “better” at something than they are. For example, while observing a successful performer having accomplished a specific task, individual A might be discouraged and tempted to throw …
Apr 26
This past Sunday, April 22, the Oregon Cello Society held their annual scholarship auditions. The auditions were open to students in Oregon and SW Washington. The OCS auditions have several divisions and levels for students to participate in with awards at each level. The major award that the students were vying for was the Bud …
Apr 23
So you’re at Grandpa’s house helping him clean out his attic. While cleaning, you stumble across a dusty trunk and inside you find some old books, a quilt, and a violin. At first, it doesn’t look like much, the bridge is missing and who knows the last time the strings were changes. But wait! Something …
Apr 09
Your new violin comes, you’re so excited. When you open the case, one of the things you notice inside is something that looks like a lump of tree sap. What is it? Rosin is a sticky subject. If you don’t get a grip on it, you won’t get very far in playing your violin, viola, cello …
Apr 02
Studies show that amongst a general list of “greatest fears,” there’s one in particular that consistently takes the cake. Surpassing a fear of spiders, heights, and even death, the act of public speaking (or performance) leaves most people shaking in their boots. “So, you’re telling me that at a funeral, most people would rather be …
Mar 21
The successful theoretical chemist Henry Eyring once said to his son while working on complex mathematical equation, “We were working a problem just like this a week ago. You don’t seem to understand it much better. Isn’t this what you think about all the time?” As the young man responded negatively, his father asked, …
Mar 12
Welcome to Part 2 of Instrument Care and Maintenance! If you missed Part 1, read it here. This time we’ll discuss some routine maintenance that is necessary for keeping your instrument in top condition. Bow Hair – The hair on the bow needs to be replaced regularly. If you are unsure of how often to …
Mar 05
Maybe you’ve seen it before. You’re at a symphony concert in your best evening wear to find yourself seated next to an obvious newcomer. The lights dim, but a glow next to you reveals your friendly neighbor whipping his phone out from the pocket of his oh-so-fashionably torn jeans. After a storm of texting, he …
Feb 20
You’re in your car, stopped at an intersection, and glance over to see a young, beautiful teenage couple in a red convertible, laughing, smiling, and presumably taunting you with their youthful future of endless possibilities. In your minivan, now with 299,000 miles on it, you brush the stale crumbs off the passenger seat, glance in …