“Cello! How are you? Are you wanting to try something new?”
Look no further than The Soo Theatre Project’s newest group, the Adult Cello Choir! Join an enthusiastic group of musicians finding a later-in-life passion playing the cello at the Soo Theatre Project.
Elaine Sprague began learning the cello at age 75. Marian MacLeod started playing the cello at age 63. Now, these two women play with other just-learning-to-play cellists. You, too, can try something new at The Soo Theatre Project.
Margie Wierzbicki, Pat Deatrick and Susan Camp, along with Elaine and Marian, have formed an Adult Cello Choir under the direction of teacher Maggie Twining, who is also an accomplished violist.
It all started when Marian MacLeod and Margie Wierzbicki began playing duets together several years ago because of their love of the cello. Then, it broadened to a few more cellists playing together in Marian’s music studio at the MacLeods’ Brimley home. Now, they all are interested in adding to their Adult Cello Choir by encouraging others to try the cello, too, at any age!
This encouragement begins with simple ergonomics—the cello is easy on the arms as the instrument rests on the ground. While finding the proper finger positioning takes a great deal of practice because there are no frets, as on a guitar, to indicate where to place one’s fingers. the cello is a relaxing instrument to play. (If the cello isn’t calling your name, perhaps the violin or viola is the instrument for you!)
Marian MacLeod explains that remembering where to position one’s fingers comes from the memory of the body and the arms – kinesthetic memory. It just feels right like putting on old, comfortable gloves. So, come on and try something new at The Soo Theatre Project!
Just who is Maggie Twining, STP’s cello instructor?
Maggie Twining is a natural musician, as she began playing the cello by age 10, both the double bass and violin by age 12, and the trombone in college.
Maggie attended Michigan Technological University for two years before transferring to Northern Michigan University to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. While in high school and college, she participated in many musical venues including chamber ensembles, Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra, Marquette Symphony Orchestra and University Theatre musicals, as well as the marching band at NMU.
After graduating and teaching a year of general music and Beginning Orchestra in the public school, her family relocated to the Copper Country, where she taught cello and violin. Maggie was director of the Preparatory Strings (Beginning Orchestra) and the Keweenaw Youth Symphony Orchestra for ten years.
Now living in Cedarville, Maggie teaches private cello lessons at The Soo Theatre Project, where there is an adult orchestra, a youth orchestra, and various classes available for both adults and students. Please contact the STP office for more information because opportunity abounds at STP for all stringed instruments for all ages!
There’s always something for everyone at The Soo Theatre Project all year long. Visit: 534 Ashmun Street. Call: (906) 632-1930. Look: www.sootheatre.org.
