CelloSpeak Activities

The Adult Cello Workshop  The Adult Cello Workshop, our signature activity, is a one-week summer resident program that includes private lessons, technique and master classes, coached quartets, recitals by the esteemed faculty, and the “Cello Choir” playing all-cello multipart repertoire – including original compositions and and arrangements for CelloSpeak..  The Cello Choir is comprised of 5 sections ranging from beginner (Section V) to advanced (Section I).  Prior to attending the Workshop, participants are individually assigned to the Cello Choir section, as well as a quartet, that best suits their ability based on the participant’s self-assessment and/or prior experience at CelloSpeak.  Our logo of 13 cellos in a circle represents the number of attendees at the first workshop.  In 2007, after seven years at Orkney Springs, VA, CelloSpeak moved the Workshop to Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA.  The 2010 Adult Cello Workshop included 64 participants of all levels from as far away as Florida, Texas and Alaska.  In 2011, the Workshop moved to Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA including 78 participants, one from as far away as Georgia the country!

The Cello Choir In addition to the summer Workshop, CelloSpeak occasionally has constituted the Cello Choir in the Washington, DC area for winter rehearsals and performances.  Off-season performances by members of the Cello Choir also have been presented in churches and retirement homes.  On May 4, 2005, members of the CelloSpeak Cello Choir joined members of the Kindler Cello Society of Washington, DC for an all-cello performance on the Millennium Stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  

Master Classes  CelloSpeak participants in the Washington, DC area often join Kindler Cello Society members for special “Cello Day” presentations and Master Classes by cello experts and performers, including such artists as Mstislav Rostropovich, Mischa Maisky and Zuill Bailey.

Gala Concerts  For the past few years, CelloSpeak has held a gala fundraiser concert in the spring featuring CelloSpeak faculty and other performers.  The concert provides an opportunity for CelloSpeak to showcase faculty and friends in solo and ensemble cello music, and gives CelloSpeak participants a welcome opportunity to gather and socialize.  In 2010, a world premier of a new piece composed for cello quartet was presented by the National Symphony Cello Quartet 4 In Correspondence .

Commissions of Original Works and Arrangements for Cello Ensembles.  One of Cellospeak’s priorities is to promote opportunities for adult amateur cellists of varying skill levels to play in large all-cello ensembles or orchestras.  Cellospeak also seeks to support composers who can expand the general repertoire of orchestral cello music.  To serve these purposes, Cellospeak occasionally commissions suitable original compositions and also produces and publishes its own proprietary arrangements of works in the public domain.  [Link to Music Tab]

In 2004, Cellospeak commissioned a work for the Cello Choir in honor of Dorothy Amarandos’ 80th birthday by composer Mark Stephenson [link to pdf of biography].  That piece, Cello Calypso and Corale [link to MP3 file], an all-cello orchestral work in 4 parts, was premiered by the Cello Choir in a special performance in 2005.

In 2009, another Mark Stephenson commission produced the brief and uplifting Cellospeak Prelude [link to MP3 file], which has become a signature piece for our Cello Choir

In 2010, Cellospeak commissioned a work  from award-winning composer James Barry.  "Expanding Circles, " a concerto grosso arranged for an advanced cello quartet accompanied by a 5-part cello orchestra, was premiered at the 2010 Workshop.  To see a 30-second video clip, follow the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5Jo1HqsbFg

Between 2009 and 2010, Gary Fitzgerald, long time conductor of the Cello Choir, has produced numerous arrangements expressly for the Cellospeak 5-part ensembles.  Virtually all of these arrangements can be performed either by small ensembles or full Cello Choir.  Cellospeak is publishing these arrangements and will make them available for purchase from our website Store.

Instructional Videos   A new Cellospeak activity initiated in 2010 is the production of original instructional videos featuring notable performers and/or Cellospeak faculty providing helpful and insightful comments on cello study, practice and performance.  These video sessions are designed to be particularly useful for adult amateur cellists, but they will be of interest to cellists of all ages and levels of proficiency.  The first video, being released in the summer of 2010, features an interview with the exciting and engaging young performing artist Zuill Bailey.  The videos will be available for purchase from our website Store.

Facebook  Cellospeak launched its own Facebook page in 2010.  We hope to use the page to help Cellospeak enthusiasts continue to exchange information, ideas and experiences, and just stay in touch.

Membership  Cellospeak also is launching a membership initiative in 2010.  Members will have exclusive access to special educational information and other materials over our website and will receive valuable discounts.  We will be rolling out member benefits over the course of the year, and aim to provide membership value even for those who cannot attend the Workshop.