Meeting with Payson High School Cellists

I met with Payson High School cellists. Their teacher Mr. Collins was so helpful and positive in letting me come. I enjoyed that group very much. They were enthusiastic and I thought a very creative group of students. I may get an original work from that group. In the fall, I am offering any one who wants to, to come up with their own original work. I will audition the groups and if I feel like they fit in to what I am trying to accomplish, I will put them in the concert. I want to support that creative element and give those who try it a venue to showcase their talent and creativity. That is a part of what this is all about. Payson High cellist were awesome. I also, met the mother of one of the cellists at auditions. She is also a cellists. I think I want to include her in this somehow. She has a love for the cello as I do and I see it in her. That is what I am looking for.

While Salest and I were waiting for the band class to end and the orchestra class to begin, the drum section was rocking it out. Salest was peeking into the door to see what was going on in there. She loved it. One of the drummers let Salest play his drum set. He made her day. Thank you drummer! You did a good thing that day.

Met with Maple Mountain High School Cellists

Met Sherrie Dunford the orchestra director. What a nice lady. She plays the harp. Very impressive person. The School is impressive too. This is the first year it is opened. The first class of cellists met me in the choir room next door. There were 14 cellists in that class. That is the biggest class to date. They next class had 4 cellists. They were so much fun, asked alot of really great questions. The majority of them want to be in it. I am way excited to have the kids in this group participate that is for sure. Now that was fun. Salest comes with me to meet with students at the High Schools when Evan is at work. I want to include her in the experience and give her some new experiences. The kids at Maple Mountain were great with her. This is Salest as we left that school.

Meeting with Timpview High School Cellists

Mr. Allred so graciously accommodated me meeting with his students. He told me I could meet with his cellists at Timpview on Friday at 10:20. I arrive early and as I was waiting in the hall outside the orchestra room, a huge group of cellists walked by and headed into the orchestra room. I followed them into the room. Mr. Allred wanted me to let him know when I arrived so I did. When he had completed class, he told his cellos to pack up their cellos and go to the small orchestra room and for me to follow them. I was so surprised how many cellists this school had. It was the biggest by far and all from one class. We didn't have as much time as I have had at others schools, but we took advantage of what we had. The presentation was quick and I collected information and ended up calling most of them on the phone since I post results tomorrow. These kids are busy with lots of things. I did have a good amount interested in the concert and look forward to working with them.

Meeting with Provo High School Cellists

I met with 2 groups of cellists from Provo High School. Mr. Allred is over Provo High and Timpview High. I was grateful he gave me the opportunity to meet with his students. I found them all delightful. Several were very excited to be in the concert. One boy said that he would even shave his head if I would let him be in the concert. I thought that was adorable, but let him know that it was much easier to be in it than that. lol. Several cellists from there have showed interest and I look forward to working with them.

Meeting with Timpanogus High School cellists

Cheryl Burton is a cellist and the orchestra director at Timpanogus High School. They have been very busy and it has been hard to meet with them but we arranged a time during lunch. I met with 3 of their cellists and Cheryl. When I arrived, one of their cellists was in the practice room practicing. It was sooooo beautiful and the skill level of their cellists is exceptional. They all want to be in the concert including Cheryl. They have other cellists they took information to give them and I look forward to having them participate. A great addition that is for sure.

Meeting With Pleasant Grove High School Cellists

On March 30, 2010, I met at 8:50 am at the tail end of first period orchestra class with their cellists. I was a little bit early and so I sat and listened outside the door. The orchestra was playing a piece of music I hadn't heard and it was awesome. The choir was singing next door and I felt immersed in music. A girl went inside the door to the orchestra room so I followed so that Mr. Beck would know that I was here. He finished the piece of music and dismissed his cellists to follow me. He had me take the students into the hall and we found a place and I told my story and gave them my presentation. They all seemed excited, a few asked if they could still be in it if they were graduating. I asked them if they would still be in the area, they both said they were going to BYU. BYU students are invited also, so I said of course. One cellist wanted to ask his parents and I felt like it went really well. The next period started at 9:10 I believe and the next group of cellists came into the hall and I gave the same presentation. Mr. Beck joined them near the end and was able to see what I am doing. He gave me positive feedback, I was very pleased, the students that wanted to signed up. Two didn't but that was okay. This is for those that want to. The teacher did quietly ask me if the kids would have any expense. I told him no. I found the cellists at Pleasant Grove High School fun and smart and I look forward to getting to know them better. We are in for a treat having them in our concert.

Meeting With Orem High School Cellists

On March 26, 2010, Mr. Summers, the Orem High Orchestra teacher invited me to meet with his cellist at the beginning of class. When I arrived, there was a substitute but she was gracious to let me meet with them.

We went into a practice room and I gave the students my cello story and presentation. All of the cellists filled out my information sheet saying they wanted to participate. I found the students at Orem High very delightful. I can hardly wait to work with them.

Meeting with Mountain View High School and Lake Ridge Cellists

On Friday, April 2, 2010 at 7:50 am I met with the 3 cellists from Mountain View High school. I was so surprised for a school that size that they only had 3 cellists and one is actually a bass player and one a viola player but they both love the cello and are learning it. I found the boys all delightful and energetic and lots of fun. They will be a great addition to the orchestra.

Megan Graves is their orchestra teacher and I love her enthusiasm for what I am doing. She also arranged for me to meet with her 3 advanced cellists at Lakeridge Jr. High since they will be High School age next year. I met with them the same day at 10:40. Two girls and a boy. I found them all to be so awesome and can hardly wait to get to know them as we share in this dream together.

Thanks Megan for making it possible for me to come and thanks cellist for your enthusiasm, it was so awesome to see.

Meeting with Spanish Fork High School Cellists

Bryant Smith was the orchestra director. Very positive and helpful. It was so appreciated.I met on two different days, 2 classes of cellists. The cellist were awesome to meet. Some great talent there in the cello department that's for sure. I hope that many of them will audition. I enjoyed that group very much.