OrchEstraCada

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2010-03-12T21:58:00.001-08:00

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Portland Cello Project

2010-03-12T21:47:00.000-08:00

Mot many groups in the Portland Metro area have as many cellos as we do, but the Portland Cello Project's ration of cellos to other musicians is even higher than ours.

Yo-Yo Ma plays Dvorak

2010-03-03T22:49:00.000-08:00

Hey, gang, Christy found this video of Yo-Yo Ma playing the Dvorak Concerto. If you want to hear him LIVE with the Oregon Symphony, order your tickets NOW!

Happy Birthday, Chopin

2010-03-01T11:15:00.000-08:00

In honor of Chopin's birth 200 years ago, OrchEstraCada has been looking for Chopin pieces to play. This is harder than it sounds, because Chopin didn't write for orchestras. His pieces were written for piano (specifically for Chopin to play on the piano), and the transcriptions to orchestra are often quite frankly lame.
Chopin was born in Poland, to a Polish mother and French father. As a young man he escaped the oppression of Poland and spent his short life, often in ill health, in France, where he was able to teach and perform. Upon his death, he requested that his heart be buried in Poland, so there are two Chopin graves. One for the body of the performer and teacher who did his work in France, and one for the his Polish heart, which led him to compose Nationalistic Music on behalf of Poland. Follow this link to hear Van Cliburn playing Chopin's music on the piano.

Bobby McFerrin - Expectations

2010-01-07T13:08:00.000-08:00

Bobby McFerrin illustrates the power of the pentatonic (5 tones with no half steps) scale:

World Science Festival 2009: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale from World Science Festival on Vimeo.

New Guitar teacher in Estacada

2009-12-28T10:41:00.000-08:00

Michael Davis is an experienced professional performer, composer, arranger and teacher who recently moved back to the Estacada area. You can see his studio listing on our page at www.orchestracada.org/emta.html. Here is a sample of his playing:

Happy Merry Musical Break

2009-12-22T10:58:00.000-08:00

The world is full of music all year, and this season is the peak for me. As families gather for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year celebrations, music reminds us of the traditions of our past and offers us new ways to create and enjoy them in this fleeting piece of 2009.
Make sure you "strike the harp and join the chorus" this week. Become a part of the season, the tradition, and the music of life. Music may not come in a box and sit on a shelf, but the songs you share with your family and friends are a priceless, unrepeatable gift.
Pass it on.

Elaine

Silent Hallelujah Chorus

2009-12-13T00:40:00.000-08:00

This is a very creative rendition. How monks who've taken a vow of silence might "sing" Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. Hilarious!

Nutcracker Ballet

2009-12-03T08:51:00.000-08:00

This Saturday the advanced players of Orchestracada will be playing at the Christmas Ball in Estacada. One of the pieces for this event is a Trepak (Russian Dance) from the Nutcracker Ballet. It is the last of the short dances performed here by the San Francisco Ballet:

For more info about The Nutcracker, visit http://www.bachtrack.com/the-nutcracker.

2009-11-22T00:10:00.000-08:00

Don't forget performance this Sunday. Be at the Junior High Auditorium at 5:15 p.m. Wear black and white, bring your music, instrument and stand. See you there!

This one's been around awhile, but it's a pretty fun piece for small-handed pianist and assistant.

Bottle Tune Skater

2009-11-15T21:23:00.000-08:00

Here's some creative music-making to inspire you this week!

Composing "The Spanish Trail"

2009-11-10T09:32:00.000-08:00

I selected this video to post because it deals with the ideas behind a "chorale" in classical music, which we discussed a bit in rehearsal last Thursday. Enjoy!

Ghost of Tom Appears

2009-10-23T19:33:00.001-07:00

It's always fun when a collaborative effort comes together, and that's just what happened last week to create "Ghost of Tom," a canon for All Hallows Eve. First Claudia explained how she taught beginners using a simple three-note minor scale and allowing them to make a "scary noise" on their instrument (to be played ONLY on cue). Then Christy mentioned that Have you seen the Ghost of Tom? would be a fun piece to try. Two days later, we had a piece that was very simple for the beginners, but educational and fun for everyone!

Grand Ball Goes "Poof"

2009-08-26T23:05:00.000-07:00

Whether a victim of a poor economy, inadequate advertising, or some other tragedy, the Grand Ball at the Newell House has been cancelled this year. That means the advanced OrchEstraCada players have fewer rehearsals and a longer break (a whole month!) than usual.

We look forward to gathering again on September 22nd. Everyone meets at 6:00, beginners leave at 7:00, and intermediates leave at 8:00. Advanced players usually quit when everyone gets tired or 9:00, whichever comes first.

If you'd like to join us, please email Elaine at elaineb@rconnects.com to let her know what kind of music you need (what instrument and level) for rehearsals.

We'll be playing lots of hymns and Christmas carols this season, and maybe some dance tunes.

Please note that there will be no rehearsals on October 1st or on the week of Thanksgiving. See you September 22nd!

Summer into Fall

2009-08-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

This Thursday, August 20, is the final day of rehearsal for the summer, unless you are playing for the Grand Ball on the 29th. If you are a beginner who wants to get into intermediate orchestra this fall, work hard on those cadences. They must be played correctly (timing, pitches, fingering and bowings) to pass.

September 19th from 11-4:00 will be the Blackberry Jam Acoustic Music Festival at the Philip Foster Farm. Anyone can come and play along at these jam sessions, and you are welcome to listen to the music or be a volunteer for the day. No charge for guests or musicians. The Dutch Oven Cookoff will be happening that day, too, so there will be plenty of things to do and see.

Fall term will begin on September 22nd and will run through December 10th, with a performance at 6:45 on the 12th. Rehearsals will begin at 6:00. No rehearsals will be held the week of Thanksgiving, although we may have a performance on the Sunday evening before Thanksgiving.

If you are getting back into band at school (and I hope you are), please invite other band members to join the orchestra. It's a great way to develop additional skills, play more music, and make more friends. Flutes, clarinets, horns, percussion are welcome. No saxophones, please!

Remember you can download cadences and forms at the website at www.orchestracada.org at any time. See you on September 22nd!

Elaine Butler
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Summer Celebration!

2009-07-24T22:48:00.001-07:00

All orchestra members meet at the "grassy knoll" by Thriftway in Estacada at 12:30 on Saturday, July 25th. We will set up and tune, ready to perform at 1:00. Bring you instrument, stand, and music (all set up in order for the performance).

1) Cadence 1
2) Cadence 2, beginning with Twinkle
3) Cadence 3
4) Cadence 4
5) Bows and Arrows
6) Ode to Joy
7) Colors of the Wind
8) Bows, beginners excused
9) German Dance
10) Telemann Sinfonia
11) Emperor Waltz
12) Can-Can
13) Bows Intermediates excused
14) Deutscher Tanz/Schmetterling
15) Viola Concerto
16) Drink to Me Only...
17) Martha Polka
18) Brandenburg 3
19) Eine Kleine (abridged)
20) Ashokan Farewell
21) Bows

2009-06-13T03:16:00.000-07:00

Part 1 of my ISP oral report

Part 2 of my ISP oral report - the Video Tour of orchestracada.org

Chamber Music for Sally

2009-06-10T19:07:00.000-07:00

Sally Phelps can't see, or walk, or hold a spoon, but she can hear. Most of the time she is cloistered in the beautiful home lovingly fashioned by her husband Dale, where she listens attentively to recorded music. On Tuesday, six of OrchEstraCada's adults took the music to her, playing a private concert for her enjoyment. The acoustics were wonderful, and the audience was a delight to play for.
If you know of others who can't get out to concerts and would appreciate a private performance, please let us know. We'd love to share the music!

2009-06-10T17:34:00.000-07:00

Bring your instrument, stand, and friends to orchestra this summer. Rehearsals begin June 16th at 6:00 at the Estacada Public Library community room. Summer performances already scheduled include Estacada's Summer Celebration on the main stage, Philip Foster Farm's Living History Summer Camp, and the Stout Grand Ball at the Newell House at Champoeg.

Help me test the OrchEstraCada website

2009-05-25T00:33:00.000-07:00

You'll find a lot of changes on our website. We now have a "real" blog, that archives old posts into a searchable database. The calendar page has a real calendar, which you can scroll forward and back by the month or by the week, with a print button for efficient printing.
Many new resources have been added as I wind down the final two weeks of my project, which is actually this website and all the materials posted here.
Check it out and let me know what works and what doesn't work for you.

Two Years Old and Going Strong

2009-05-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

May 18, 2009 - This week we'll be performing at the Con Brio Society and Estacada High School concerts as we wind down our second full year of rehearsing and perfoming together. Here are a few highlights.

Summer term '08 was held in the River Mill Music Room. Performances included several at the the Philip Foster Farm and one at the Fourth of July Parade in Estacada.

In the fall we moved to new rehearsal space at the Estacada Public Library and became a part of Estacada Together, finishing the term with performances at Clackamas River Elementary School and the Estacada Christmas Choir Festival.

Winter of '09 began with the flooding of the library. With school buildings also suffering from floods, we relocated to the Estacada LDS Church, finishing the term with performances at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and another Estacada Music Crawl (gotta love this town).

We are looking forward to summer performances at the Summer Celebration in Estacada (1:00 on July 25), and at the Grand Ball at the Newell House at Champoeg (August 29th). Come join us!

Tags: birthday, music crawl, summer, summer celebration

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Posted at: 10:09 PM