Parramatta Cello School - Marleen Broekmans

💡 Did you know.. 🎻

That the most expensive cello in the world is the Duport Stradivarius, at a whopping $20 million USD? It was made in 1711, and was owned by Jean Louis-Duport until his death in the early 1800s. It then passed on to Auguste-Joseph Franchomme {who else here has PTSD from his cello caprices?!} and more recently to Russian cellist, Mstislav Rostropovich, whose family still maintain legal ownership while the cello lives its days out with the Nippon Music Foundation.

So if anyone needs to know what to buy me for Christmas.. 😆

✨ STUDENT OF THE WEEK ✨

Meet Hailey. She is in year 6 and has already been playing cello for over six years! Hailey has a great sense of humour and is very witty, as can be seen by this short interview.

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1.) What are you currently working on at the moment?
“I’m currently working on my AMEB Grade 6 Cello Performance exam, as well as my Grade 8 Piano Performance exam.”

2.) What’s your favourite piece to play at the moment?
“The “Sicilienne” by Gabriel Faure.”

3.) What advice would you give someone who is just starting out?
“Listen to your teacher, and make sure you have the correct posture and techniques. It’s important to learn all the fundamentals of cello playing before charging into your pieces.”

4.) If your cello could talk, what would it say about your practice?
“Why are you so bad at this? Okay, kidding - maybe. It would say to practice this section more, instead of running the whole piece.”

5.) Besides music, what other hobbies do you have?
“Sleeping and knitting. I’m the most un-athletic person you’ll ever meet. I sound like a grandma.”

Thanks Hailey 🤣

✨ STUDENT OF THE WEEK ✨

Meet Phoebe! She is currently in Year 11, and has been using her cello playing skills as part of her Duke of Edinburgh bronze and silver awards!

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1.) So why the cello?
“Because I think cello sounds really nice and mellow, and it’s niche - but not too niche.”

2.) How long have you been playing for?
“About two and a half years now.”

3.) What have you been working on?
“I am recording my first cello exam. Last year I toured to New Zealand with my school orchestra and it was a great experience to meet other music students and do masterclasses with professionals.”

4.) When Phoebe isn’t playing cello, she is…
“Playing volleyball or doing arts and crafts.”

5.) Do you have a favourite piece of music?
“Hydrangea” by Yukiko Nishimura
https://youtu.be/axlYUkxpMtc?si=WrGqXYYhhK8nm1hI

Thank you Phoebe! 🥰

✨ STUDENT OF THE WEEK ✨

Introducing, Jessica!

Jessica started cello as an adult beginner - proving it is never too late to follow your passions in life!

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1.) What made you decide to play cello, and how long have you been playing for?
“A cello playing werewolf on the Grimm television series - one of the main characters was a werewolf who played cello. It sounded really dark and moody. I’ve been playing cello on and off for over a decade - between two pregnancies!”

2.) Do you have a favourite piece of music?
“I’m really enjoying Latin Nights by the Blackwells at the moment. I also like the Cantilena I’m learning by Ku**er. I prefer the slow pieces.”

3.) What’s the most challenging thing about learning cello as an adult?
“Finding time to practice. I have to entertain the kids first - they often draw in my cello notebooks.”

4.) What are you working towards at the moment?
“Recording my Grade 3 Cello exam with Con Brio.”

5.) And what does Jess do outside of cello?
“I work, and I mum. And I do like reading Cassandra Clare books.”

Thanks for the chat, Jessica! 🥰🎻

FUN fact Friday! 💡

Did you know..

That many pop music songs actually include the cello?

Some famous examples include “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles, “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, and “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin!

🎻🎻🎻

✨ STUDENT OF THE WEEK ✨

Introducing, Nick!

Nick is currently in Year 7, and is in the process of recording his first ever cello exam with Con Brio!

1.) What made you decide to play cello?
“I just wanted to try a new instrument and thought strings would be good, and then realised I like sitting down more.”

2.) Do you have a favourite song you are playing at the moment?
“I am the Captain of a Pirate’s Ship” by Anita Hewitt-Jones

3.) What other instruments do you play?
“I play trombone in the jazz ensemble at school.”

4.) Where is your favourite place to practice?
“I like to practice in the living room because I’m often in there by myself, so it’s nice and quiet and I can just focus on the cello.”

5.) Lastly, which emoji best describes your practising lately?
“🫪”

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😅🤣 Thank you for the chat, Nick! 🫶🏻

FUN fact Friday! 💡

Did you know..

That King Charles III once played cello?

He learned to play the cello while attending boarding school at Gordonstoun in Scotland, where he studied under tutor Robert Waddell. King Charles then continued to play throughout his university years at Cambridge, participating in the Trinity College orchestra.

🎻🎻🎻

Other celebrities who have also dabbled in cello include Ed Sheeran, Hugh Jackman, and Sir Paul McCartney!