Two Websites for this concert

This website that you are on now http://thecellodreamsunfold.blogspot.com, is the website that tells the story of this concert as it unfolds. There are lots of pictures and some videos to help tell the stories.

The second website http://www.mycellodream.blogspot.com is my communications site with cellists, their parents and teachers. It has the current calendar for cellists of upcoming rehearsals. It has a section with question and answers to the top questions I have been asked. It keeps cellist up to date on what's next!

The easiest way through the sites is to click on "older posts" at the bottom of each page. The most current information is near the end. Thanks for showing interest. Hope you enjoy it!

My Story: A dreamer in progress

I grew up in the small town of Winslow, Arizona. It is just off Route 66 and the hit band "The Eagles" made my town famous with their song "Take it Easy". The words to the song say, "Standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona. To this day, you can come to this corner in town and get your picture taken.


In Winslow, you could start playing a musical instrument in 5th grade. When I was in the fourth grade, a group of high school students brought their instruments to show all the 4th graders. We watched them take their instruments out of their cases and tighten their bows. As soon as I saw a cello, I was smitten. No other instrument existed for me after I saw it. I knew I had to play the cello. I went home and asked my parents. I started the cello the next year.

In Winslow, the Junior High was for 7th and 8th graders. The High School was 9th through 12th.


When I was in Junior High, there were 8 cello players. The first six were boys and then me and Debbie were in the back.


I remember being teased ruthlessly by the boys that girls were not suppose to play the cello. After weeks and weeks of this teasing, I determined in my head that I was going to pass up all those boys and show them. I was determined and so I did what any determined cello player would do, I practiced. ALOT! I am probably a rare person in that my parents never told me to practice once in all the years I played the cello. I just did it. I loved to practice. I loved the cello.

If you wanted to move up a chair in our orchestra, you could "challenge" the person in front of you. The teacher would select a section of music and both of you would play it in front of the class. Then the teacher would choose who they thought did the best. I would then challenge in class each boy in turn and by the end of 8th grade, I had passed every boy but one.




When I went to high school the next year, I was able to audition for a regional orchestra. All high school students can audition in their region and the top players are chosen to play in an amazing regional orchestra. Because of all the practicing I did in Jr. High to beat those boys, I actually made 4th chair in the regional orchestra that year. I still had one boy to beat though, and he was so good. It took me all year, but the last month of school, my 9th grade year, I challenged him and beat him. I hate to say it, but I'm gonna anyway. The picture of me playing my cello as first chair and him second chair made the year book. That was so cool. I later bought his cello. I still have that cello.


Well, here is where my dream tonight comes into play. All the cellists who made their regional orchestras were able to audition for the all state orchestra. I was able to audition and because I had practiced so much to try and beat James, I actually made 2nd chair in the all state orchestra. I was so excited.

When we arrived at Arizona State University where we would perform, we found out that the first and second chair cellists would be rehearsing the entire cello section. It was so amazing to be a part of such an amazing and talented group of cellists. The first chair cellist, he rehearsed the group and I was sent to listen and make recommendations.

It was during that rehearsal that I sat and listened and had major goosebumps. It was amazing to hear so many cellos playing together. It was so beautiful. I had never heard that before. It was in that moment, that I remember saying in my head, "wouldn't it be so awesome to have a concert where the entire stage was filled with just cellos. I'm gonna do that some day." I was 15 years old when I had that experience that inspired me.


Well, this year is my 30th year High School class reunion so I have been blessed to be reconnecting with friends from back home. During a conversation with an old friend, that dream to do an all cello concert was brought again to my attention. I thought about it for several weeks after our conversation and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I was drawn to it. It wouldn't go away. I realized I had to do this. For some reason it was just important for me to do this.

Someone recently asked me, why now? My response, why not? A cello dream may be insignificant as far as the things that really count in the world, but at one moment in time, a young girl had a dream, a dream that inspired her.

The opportunities that the cello provided me as a young girl are priceless. I learned self discipline. I had opportunities that I never would have had if I hadn't played it. I met amazing people and traveled to some amazing places.

Now I want to invite cello players around the age that I was and older, to participate with me in a celebration of the cello. I hope it will inspire them with their own dreams and also help others enjoy the diversity of this beautiful instrument. Our inspired dreams are worthy of our attention.

CREATING THE DREAM~The beginning

Once I decided that I definitely had to do this, I found myself in a situation where details were coming to my mind so fast that I had to write them down. I worked on most of the outline for this concert between the hours of 10:00 pm and 2:00 am. My little one asleep- Quiet time!

I first sat down and tried to decide what I wanted the concert to be like. I googled cello music and found myself on You Tube listening to various cello masters and not so masters. I book marked the music that had great appeal to me and skipped the others. After doing this for weeks, I started noticing a pattern of music I liked. I really liked! After more research, I realized several other things.

I realized that I didn't just want an all cello orchestra to perform the entire night. I realized that there is no way I could have that many cellos meet often enough to learn that much music for one thing, and I felt like I wanted to showcase more of the diversity of the cello, kind of a celebration of it. I saw online people who had a passion for their cello and made it their own and went professional. I also knew I didn't want this to be an ordinary concert. I decided then to the make concert 2 parts. The first an all cello orchestra. The second, a variety of ensembles. I knew this was right the minute I thought it.

Now to find music for the all cello orchestra. I researched on line and found some great music. Some I ordered from the National Cello Institute since they have music for cello ensembles which can be played by an all cello orchestra. I found 3 others and decided that these 4 would be the pieces of music we would play. I was attracted to them first by their appeal to me in listening to. I was also drawn to one because the entire song was almost pizzicato which intrigued me and really show cased the cello with a different angle. The last song we will play has cello tapping for the percussion and a fun rhythm. I am not going to share the titles yet, because I don't want them played by others yet if possible. I ordered the music and have it all in folders ready to go. Wahoo
.

The ensembles have been more challenging. The cellists gone professional that I loved to listen to so much, I learned also keep their original work to themselves. A lot of the songs that I want performed I will have to write from watching them play it and then make it my own. I did find on line the basic music and now have spent hours writing up music the way I want it. Since I am not very good at this and it is becoming more time consuming than I have the patience and time to do, I am going to have to hire someone to do it for me. It will be worth it. I WANT THAT MUSIC so bad! All the playing of my cello in trying to write this music, made we want to play again so bad. I decided on a few pieces that I will perform also. I have been practicing and it has been a lot of work because unlike the cellist that will be performing with me, I haven't played in years. I have been busy working full time and being a mom. I must say though, that the feelings I have when I play are so strong once again. I miss playing the cello so much. It calms my spirit, bring joy to my heart. I'm going to start playing again!!!!

Many nights I would wake up at 4:00 in the morning and couldn't go back to sleep so I would TRY and focus on how to present the music. I had floods of ideas come with each piece of music. I knew exactly what I want to have happen. I know their will be glitches when we add the stage, sound technicians and light technicians, but I think we will still be able to stay true to the vision I have. Bring me some cellos and let's do this!!! I am soooooo excited!

CREATING THE DREAM

WHERE to have the concert?

When I first decided I was going to do this, I really wanted to do it in Cedar City, Utah at the college. Southern Utah State College (now SUU) was my Alma Mater and the school that gave me a lot of really amazing opportunities with my cello. This is the music building there that I spent many many hours in.

I emailed the Music Department Head and his response back was so gracious. He said, "We would love to have an all cello concert here from an alumni student." He then forwarded me to the person over the orchestra and told us that they would be happy to help with anything I needed to help make it happen there.

I realized through several further emails that I might not be able to get enough cellos down there. I also realized that as I had been working more on the bigger picture that I would be making many trips down and with a four year old who isn't a good traveler and I decided it might be better to do it closer to home first, and maybe take it down there at a later time. The final decision came after talking with a friend who asked me if it was more important the location or the amount of cellos. I decided that the dream- which included the amount of cellos was more important than location.


I started looking for a location here locally. When I found out that the new Orem High School by my house would be completed by the fall of 2010, I REALLY wanted to have it there in the new auditorium. I didn't know if I could have it there, but I had to try! I decided that if that was my first choice that I better find out who to contact. I at first thought I would contact the principal, but could never seem to get it done. So frustrating to have that on the top of the "To Do List" over and over and over and never move forward on it when all it required was one phone call. I just felt pulled back from going that direction. In my quiet moments I would pray that this would open up if it was meant to be.

When I started contacting Orchestra teachers at all the High Schools via email, I was given Sterling Keyes name and sent him the email. I found it interesting when I heard back from him that he was the department head at Orem High School and not the orchestra teacher but that he did forward my email to the him. I found it especially interesting that he read the email and he offered to sponsor the concert at the Orem High School. He said that "we'd like to help you with this dream." The fact that I called the school and asked for the orchestra teachers' name and school email and that my email went to him first, was a witness to me that my prayer was answered.

CREATING THE DREAM- What to name the concert?

I had been for months creating the vision of what I wanted the concert to be like, now I just needed to come up with a name. I sat down and wrote down several names. It was kind of a struggle so and I ended up googling cello concert names and made a good list. Here is the original list:

A Celebration of Cellos or Celebrating Cellos
A Night with Cellos
Everything Cello
Journey with Cellos
Not your Ordinary Cello Concert
Cello Sensation
My Cello Rocks
The Cello Scene
Cello Man
Cello Encore

Out of all of those on that original list I liked "A Celebration of Cellos" the best. I wanted to see which one of those names appealed to the most people, so I posted them on my facebook wall and asked my friends which one they liked. There was not one that stood out. People like a variety of names. So I decided to go another route and see if someone in my group of facebook friends could come up with an original name. I knew it would be harder so I offered an incentive. Some really great names came in. Here are some of them.

Emily- Cello Rocks-Everything is turning up cello
Janet-Everything Cello
Sarah- A Celebration of Cellos
David- Everything Cello
Cindy- Everything Cello
LaRena-Chillin with the cellos
Kerri- Chillin with Cellos or A Celebration of Cellos
Leslie- If Cellos could Dance or A Celebration of Cellos
Alicia- Everything Cello
Robert- If Cellos Could Dance or A Cello Runs through it
Leah- A Cello Dream

There were more names from friends but my 4 year old deleted them somehow while playing games on my computer and to them I apologize for not posting there preferences and new names. Everyone's contribution was meaningful for me. Thank you.

I thought that all the names that came in were wonderful. But it was interesting that when Leah's name came in, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I realized that I wanted to name the concert about the Cello and how wonderful of an instrument it is. I also wanted people to know that this was not going to be just an ordinary classical cello concert. But now, with what Leah wrote, I realized that somehow, I needed it to be about my dream also. I put those three things in every possible order to come up with something and ended up with:

"A CELEBRATION OF CELLOS- MY CELLO DREAM." ( A slight edit from Leah's but the meaning still the same) I figured somewhere in the advertising I could put "Not your ordinary cello concert". I posted on facebook the winner and delivered the prize. I was grateful to my friend Leah because it was her suggestion that actually turned the corner for me on the name. The name for me, was a perfect fit for what I am trying to do with all this. Thank you Friends.

CREATING THE DREAM- When to have the concert?

When trying to decide on a date, I knew that the final date would depend on several factors. I knew that the where I held the concert and the available dates there would be the biggest.

I also knew that I was dealing with 3 school districts and which included 15 High Schools and two major universities. Dealing with the calendaring in all those with sports practices and games, music lessons, orchestra tours and concerts, school dances and activities and then the kids family life, a daunting task to know if I could actually choose the date I feel I want and then actually see who I will get by the end. I knew one prom could wipe me out of a bunch of cellos even if they had practiced with me for months. It is hard too, because I need to get on the calendar, but no one else really has theirs final either so I only can really plan with Orem High to get the date I want. This will be interesting to see who I start with and who I end with. I am optimistic though.

I also knew that I would have family traveling from out of state who wouldn't travel in snow so I had to figure that in. I also realized that I needed time to do this right, the way I envisioned it.

But mostly, in my quiet moments, I wanted to do this on my birthday, a private gift to myself. Not to be acknowledged by anyone or anything. Just kind of a personal and meaningful thing for me to acknowledge deep inside of me, my dreams and hopes.

Once I thought about my birthday being the date, I hurried and got online to look up the calendar for 2011 to see what day my birthday fell on next year. I couldn't believe it. I had goosebumps like everything was just falling into place. My birthday fell on a Saturday, the very day, I wanted the concert to be on. WOW!

I met with Mr. Keyes and gave him the date I wanted and an alternate. I think March 26 is risky because of Proms and they are a busy month for orchestras as I have found out by trying to get appointments with teachers. I just feel drawn to it. My gut tell me that it is going to be on that date! The school still has to approve it and there is alot that could happen to go wrong on that date, but inside, I feel a peace that it is meant to be on that date and that it will all work out!

The Orem High teachers meet the end of the month to calendar, so I will find out soon.

WE GOT THAT DATE!!!!!!!!!!! MARCH 26, 2011 it is!!!! Wahoooooooo

DEDICATION: KEITH RAY HENRIE MY FATHER

DEDICATION

Keith Ray Henrie
November 29, 1926-December 13, 2002

I am dedicating this concert to my dad, Keith Ray Henrie. My dad loved music! It is from him that I gained my love for music. He was an amazing pianist who played by ear and he was also amazing on the guitar. We spent hours together playing and singing. That was "my thing" with my dad. Music!!! Thanks for that great gift of music in my life dad! No one knows the sacrifices you and mom made so I could have the cello experience I had. I know though. You truly gave me my wings and I hope you always felt like it was worth it.

Here are the words to a song my dad taught me, it was "our song".

"Your my friend when I'm lonely,
Your my shelter from troubled winds,
Your my anchor in life's ocean,
But most of all, your my best friend!