These are some beautiful white sheets from last week at the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. First a very moving white sheet from Kelly. She speaks with such honesty and authenticity about her insecurities and her determination to confront them. I feel sure you will be as moved, as I was in reading her words. I asked her permission to post it. She replied: I would be honored for you to share my letter. I feel as though there may be people in BPYO who have gone through the same thing I did. The assignment was HAVE A CONVERSATION FOR POSSIBILITY THAT GETS YOU A NEW DIRECTION IN YOUR LIFE. This white sheet is definitely a beginning of a new conversation that gets Kelly, and through her, all of us, a new direction in life. Dear Mr. Zander, This weeks assignment was really not easy for me. All I could think about was things I regretted, or thought would go wrong. This has always been the case for me with violin and music in general. For all my academic pursuits, I have found it natural to have conversations for possibility and to look in new directions. However, when it comes to violin, I shrink away from possibility and towards doubt and fear. I have thought about why I do this, and I realize now that it is because I place so much value on achievement and results. I am not confident of my musical abilities, and thus, not confident that I will be successful. Probably my best example of this would be how I got to BPYO. Two years ago, when I was in the NEC Youth Symphony, I had already heard of BPYO. I read the BPYO website, the musical reviews for the first season concerts, and about the upcoming Netherlands Tour. But when my mom suggested that I audition, I said I didnt want to. Why? Because I thought I wouldnt get in. It was reluctantly that I called in and scheduled an audition. Later, It turned out I was right. I didnt get into BPYO. But there was something about the audition that got me excited. First of all, at the audition, I had met by coincidence a person who was going to teach music at my new school, Phillips Exeter. That was Mr. Vickers. And also I had a really interesting talk with you. Three months later, when the BPYO alternates were called to re-audition, I was a nervous wreck. I remember breaking down after my school orchestra audition, which was the day before the BPYO re-audition. But I also remember Mr. Vickers calling me in and helping me with the excerpts, which I am really so grateful for. I remember the exact moment I got into BPYO. I was in Math class, and my phone screen lit up. The email said Welcome! I was so happy I wanted to jump up and skip around. And of course, this past year with BPYO has been a life-changing one. When we played Shostakovich 5th at Carnegie Hall, there was a moment in the last movement when I thought my heart was going to explode with pure joy. I had three tests when I got back to school, but I forgot about everything except the music. So this story about how I got into BPYO had a happy ending. But still, still, I doubt, I fear new possibilities. Even though time has again and again proved that when I try new things, there are wonderful results, I am afraid. Of not getting in. Of getting a bad result. But Im trying to change my perspective. Im going to keep trying, until conversations with possibility become natural for me. Until I can ignore the downward spiral. So thank you Mr. Zander, for opening my brain to thinking in a different way. I think that if I wasnt a part of BPYO, I wouldnt have even thought about my negative attitude, much less tried to change it. See you tomorrow at rehearsal. Cant wait for Bartok! Sincerely, Kelly Lew Here is Mitsuru, who has been unable to play the violin full-out because of an injury to her shoulder. But it didn’t prevent her from doing the assignment full-out: Dear Mr. Zander, Sectionals with Joanna was a very fantastic way to start off the year - she really helped set the tone for our section and I think that the sectional with her was extremely productive as we were able to work through the fifth movement in its entirety. I am so glad she was able to come work with us! I hadnt really noticed until this week, but as you mentioned, it is very common for students to leave classes, or even lessons without a word. We all often leave the classes as fast as possible to get to our next classes in a different area of the building. Sometimes, I would say a Thank you or some goodbye at the end of class, but too often, my voice was only slightly above audible. This week, the two assignments you had given us this year combined and it helped me better my relationship with my teacher. Saying a simple, Thank you to my history teacher has made it easier for me to talk to her when I have to. In French, we have to give ourselves participation grades and last week, my teacher and I had a miscommunication, but with the help of the phrase, Madame, Im sorry, but... we were able to solve the problem together. Its such a wonderful way to live. Rekindling friendships. Making new ones. Strengthening the relationships you already have. Your book (and the assignments in them too) has changed my life so much in a way I never imagined. Living Possibility. I love it with all my heart - thank you for introducing me to this world! With Love and Spirit, Mitsuru Yonezaki Abby, aged 16, used the assignment to help her have a breakthrough in her teaching Dear Mr Zander, As I get to know more of the individuals of BPYO, I am feeling increasingly excited for each Saturday. The people, both inside the cello section and out, are genuinely nice and I have noticed a total absence of the typical musician drama. No one here looks around themselves and says, Well, I know I am better than those 3 people, but, oh, that one person is better than me and thats just not okay. It is ironic that even though classical music is said to be dying (which I, for one, firmly believe it is not), the young and talented classical musicians often do not band together. They are so busy worrying about being the best that the communal experience of playing an an orchestra is nearly forgotten. The exhilarating part about orchestral music is being able to understand the infinite number of musical connections; sometimes the cellos accompany a solo wind instrument, sometimes we form the center of a chord series with the basses and violas, sometimes we have the melody and are supported by those around us. All of these different roles are so unique and separate from one another that it is impossible to ever become bored. Last week, we were asked to think about speaking more clearly. My mission to do this has continued on into this week and I have found that, for me, the area where being clear and audible is most beneficial is teaching. One of my cello students rarely practices; he comes to lessons and claims to have forgotten his book and his second position work never gets any better. I am usually pretty lenient and I try to convince him to work harder through positive reinforcement. That was much better than last week, but if you do x, y, and z it could improve even more by next week! This has not been working. Today, I decided to be clear. I told him (in an understandable and strong voice) that, if he mindlessly practices, he will not improve and he will not make it into the middle school orchestra. For the first time in our year of working together, the concept of practicing really seemed to click for him. We spent the majority of the lesson talking about how to practice and how to stay motivated. Thank you Mr. Zander. Your assignment not only helped me, but it helped me to help my student. I felt confident enough to talk about a difficult truth and I truly believe that my relationship with this boy has turned a corner. Once again, I cannot wait to return to BPYO on Saturday! Thank you, Abby Lorimier Dear Mr. Zander, As I wrote in my previous white sheet, its crazy to think that this is my fifth year working with you; Im beyond thrilled for this upcoming year. Your teachings — through assignments and rehearsals — have been part of such a transforming experience for me during the past years, and I honestly dont know who I would be as a person and musician without your guidance. When I was often trapped in downward spirals during my junior year, I was able to discuss these thoughts with you and receive invaluable life lessons. Moreover, Ive always been able to look forward to Saturdays HALF PAST TWO, no matter what downward spiral came my way because the way we play in BPYO is just absolutely uplifting and inspiring. I can confidently say that I think, act, talk, play, lead, and breathe in a completely different way because I have been so immersed in the world of possibility. And for that, I thank you so very much. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for all that you have offered me; I feel so privileged to get to spend my senior year with this group. Love, Hyunnew Choi Abby Adams has gone off to college, but remains connected to the orchestra through reading the white sheets on line: Dear Mr. Zander, I thought I would write to say hello and also just share a story. My mom has been forwarding your weekly email assignments to me at college to provide some sparks of weekly inspiration. As was reading through the white sheets for this week, I realized how much I missed BPYO and the amazing positive outcome it had on my life last year. The weekly assignments, along with each rehearsal, allowed me to open myself to different possibilities that my life and my playing had to offer. I can honestly say it was the highlight of my week. And so, while I was reading, I caught myself thinking how I missed the atmosphere of the orchestra. The emotional energy was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Lately I have been feeling a lack of that kind of energy in my playing and in the atmosphere around me. These weekly emails have reminded me that energy like this just doesnt present itself in life, like it did so easily in BPYO, but by creating it yourself. I would like to thank you for reminding me to find joy in every aspect of life. Possibility is an incredible force. Kindly, Abby Adams It is hard for us to remember what it must feel like to walk into the Conversation for Possibility at BPYO if you have never been exposed to that way of thinking: Esther is 16 and is exploding with excitement about all that is going on in the BPYO. Her enthusiasm is infectious. Dear Mr. Zander, Last week was the first time I had ever heard of the downward spiral. This is probably due to the fact that most people are unaware that they are even thinking in this way. The downward spiral is unavoidable. After last weeks rehearsal, I began noticing the downward spiral occurring everywhere, whether it was at school, at home, or in public. We are constantly shutting down opportunities because we fear failure and disappointment. This is where the idea of possibility comes in. Instead of shutting down these opportunities, I now know that I can embrace them. After thinking in the downward spiral for years without being aware of it, it is difficult to think in a way of possibility, but I am determined to change my mindset on life. I want to thank you for opening my eyes to a new way of thinking - One full of creativity, hope, and possibility. Yours truly, Esther Pak Dear Mr. Zander, This week, I was able to experience something during rehearsal that I had never experienced with an orchestra before. The second movement of the Dvorak brought me to tears. I felt completely emotionally vulnerable and bare while playing my part and listening to how all the other parts connected with one another. This is when I knew I had really understood the piece. Many times, the viola does not have the main melody, but the harmonies that are created between the solo cello and the viola are incredible and they trigger a very sensitive emotion inside of me. Thank you to Dvorak for writing such historic music and thank you for choosing such incredible repertoire for us to play! I look forward to see what new things I can experience in my life and in the upcoming rehearsals! Sincerely, Setareh BZ: Setareh, it is nice to remember that Dvorak was a viola player! Hi Mr. Zander! First of all, I just want to say thank you so much for todays incredible rehearsal! I was so overwhelmed (in a good way) by the music we created, even though its only the second rehearsal. I cant wait to see how far we go in the next few weeks and how much more we can delve into these pieces. It really is unbelievable to be around so many dedicated musicians of such a high caliber, and I am really grateful for the opportunity to learn from this experience. I also wanted to share with you my experience from last weeks assignment of speaking clearly. You told us that we should speak as if we are important enough that everyone should be able to hear and understand us. With that in mind, I also became more aware of what others were saying and I tried to listen to my teachers and classmates with the same belief that their ideas are equally important. As a result, I got to have some great conversations with people I normally dont talk to. It really made me wonder how much difference we can all make in the world if we just take the time to truly value and appreciate not only our own ideas but those of everyone else as well. See you next week! Sneha From Sam Burstin, violist in the Philharmonia Orchestra in London and participant in many of my recordings withe the Philharmonia Hi Ben, So pleased to read about the new BPYO getting off to a great start - and please say Hi to Ben Vickers and Danielle for me! Love Sam Dear Mr. Zander, I was taking the subway to school, and I heard someone calling me. He was a classmate, and though we couldn’t talk while on the crowded train, we walked to school from our stop together. He asked, “where are you coming from,” to which I responded “Boston,” and soon enough, I had told him that I was in the BPYO. The reaction I received from him was so touching – his eyes lit up, he was so excited about the BPYO, and he told me that he had a “lot of respect” for the orchestra. I was so shocked – people often tell me that I’m “crazy” to travel to Boston every weekend or ask why I’d do that or laugh or roll their eyes. His was different. It turns out that he listened to your Ted talk and has been inspired since – so much so that he was interested in joining the group two years ago, but he didn’t know of a single person who did that. He told me that a lot of people here know about the BPYO. Your Ted talk touches the hearts of many, and his was one of them. Apparently, he happened to be in Amsterdam two years ago and went to a concert in the Concertgebouw – and saw our advertisement! His eyes were shining the whole time we talked about BPYO. Love, Hikaru The sectionals were good and we moved on very briskly. I thought the end of the fifth movement sounded like raising the dead. Henry Ayanna (aged 10)
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 18:56:17 +0000
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