Cello(s), art, and a survey?!
Happy Wednesday!
Today we're catching up with OFS cellist Helen Newby! <3
"One of the main ways I’ve been occupying myself for the last four months (!!!) is through arranging and recording covers of pop-y songs for multiple cellos (aka multiple Helens).
I got into this towards the start of quarantine when asked to perform pop covers for a Zoom political rally. After the rally, a few friends hired me to perform these covers at their respective work 'happy hours.' Since people didn’t seem to totally hate my arrangements, I decided to film videos of me playing all the parts.
Cellist Helen Newby / Photo by Titilayo Ayangade
My partner Pat (a fellow musician who also suddenly has lots of free time on his hands) handles all the filming/video editing/lighting, and I do the arranging and sound recording.
This project is really one of the main things keeping us sane during these crazy times. It’s been really fun to improve on both my arranging and recording skills, learn how to work with new recording/sound editing software, dive deep into a bunch of my favorite songs, and collaborate with Pat."
Check out Helen's YouTube channel here and her website here to read more about the amazing things she does, and brighten your day with her cover of "Linger" by The Cranberries below!
To Zoom, or not to Zoom...
We are very busy building our upcoming 8th season (!) and we want your input!
We sincerely appreciate your time and thoughts as we put together events and programming just for you.
Click below to fill out our Season 8 Audience Survey and let us know what you want to see, hear, and experience!
"A Quiet City - Inside & Outside"
When Bay Area artist Jennifer Burkett heard our 2016 performance of Aaron Copland’s Quiet City, she was inspired to create a beautiful, interactive painting accompanied by this OFS performance.
“When I heard Quiet City, we had just recently gone into shelter in place," Jennifer shared. "The song evoked a sense of longing. Nostalgia and hope hit me all at once. My memories are highly spatial and perhaps my imagination of the future is too. So I intended to create a sense of the collisions of past, future, internal and external sight and feel in this collaborative piece called 'A Quiet City, Inside & Outside.'"
Click below to watch Jennifer's piece!
"A Quiet City, Inside & Outside" - Jennifer Burkett
Visit Jennifer's website here to learn more about her art, support her, or even purchase the painting inspired by OFS's performance!
Stay tuned for Season 8 news and more! We love you, we miss you, and wish you the very, very best!! <3
