August 7-11, 7:00-8:30 pm
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Come join us for five nights of fun, interactive classes! Each session will focus on a different cello-related topic and is designed to have something for everyone from advanced youngsters to beginning adults. Bring your cello and be ready to play!
Schedule of Classes |
What if I can't make all five nights?
Week nights can be a busy time, even in the summer. Participants who can't make all five nights of the Silver Spring Cello Workshop have the option of registering just for two nights. 
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Erin Snedecor is a cellist based in Washington, DC who specializes in contemporary performance, chamber music, improvisation, and collaborative art. Erin is an active improviser, studio musician, and collaborator with dance troupes, theater groups, and beyond. Her current projects include rock band Pompeii Graffiti, indie/folk duo Black Rhinoceros, classical electronica quartet Doublespeak, and contemporary ensemble Balance Campaign.
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LocationAscension Church
633 Sigo Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910. All classes will be held in the choir room, which has an entrance on Silver Spring Avenue. |
Class Descriptions
Scales Are Fun
Scales are the backbone of classical music and we are constantly told to practice them. How can we make them more musical, rhythmic, and fun to work on? And most importantly, how do we make sure that the scales we practice will actually help us in our other repertoire? This class will explore all of these questions and more through some zany group scale exercises.
Chamber Music Know-How
Whether in a quartet, orchestra, or rock band setting, cellists have to have super chamber music skills. This class will cover the differences between leading and following in an ensemble, match articulations, and make base lines interesting. We will work on both group and duet playing. All participants will receive copies of cello duets to take home.
Beyond Classical
Tired of only using your bow? Tired of playing only what's on the page? Tired of being jealous of guitar players? Erin Snedecor will teach you how to jam using chords on the cello. If you've never improvised before this is the class for you; Erin will get you started on hearing chord changes and adding your own chords to the mix.
Who's Afraid of Performing?
Every good cellist experiences stage fright sometime in their career. It's a natural part of performing. This class will explore how we can turn those jittery feelings into focused energy and actually enjoy performing. Bring audition repertoire, solo pieces, or any music that you might be performing soon. Use this class to practice performing in friendly, helpful setting before the big day.
Getting Connected
Playing the cello requires the whole body but it's sometimes hard to know our physical power most efficiently. This class will cover warm- up's, stretches, and other ways to reduce tension while playing. We will also discuss what "good posture" really is and when and how to use force on the cello.
Scales Are Fun
Scales are the backbone of classical music and we are constantly told to practice them. How can we make them more musical, rhythmic, and fun to work on? And most importantly, how do we make sure that the scales we practice will actually help us in our other repertoire? This class will explore all of these questions and more through some zany group scale exercises.
Chamber Music Know-How
Whether in a quartet, orchestra, or rock band setting, cellists have to have super chamber music skills. This class will cover the differences between leading and following in an ensemble, match articulations, and make base lines interesting. We will work on both group and duet playing. All participants will receive copies of cello duets to take home.
Beyond Classical
Tired of only using your bow? Tired of playing only what's on the page? Tired of being jealous of guitar players? Erin Snedecor will teach you how to jam using chords on the cello. If you've never improvised before this is the class for you; Erin will get you started on hearing chord changes and adding your own chords to the mix.
Who's Afraid of Performing?
Every good cellist experiences stage fright sometime in their career. It's a natural part of performing. This class will explore how we can turn those jittery feelings into focused energy and actually enjoy performing. Bring audition repertoire, solo pieces, or any music that you might be performing soon. Use this class to practice performing in friendly, helpful setting before the big day.
Getting Connected
Playing the cello requires the whole body but it's sometimes hard to know our physical power most efficiently. This class will cover warm- up's, stretches, and other ways to reduce tension while playing. We will also discuss what "good posture" really is and when and how to use force on the cello.