"CelloChanWoods" ~ cellochan presents a new kind of cello retreat

WELL BEING AND THE ARTS GO CAMPING:

Recently the AARP named Ann Arbor the healthiest city in the US. Gary Gossein, of the Michigan Business Review wrote, "We've been talking with a lot of state organizations, and a
lot of cities are trying to aspire to what Ann Arbor offers," said Amanda Cyr, project manager for the University of Michigan Health Management Research Center.....wellness, she explained, is looking at the whole person, and applying healthy lifestyle concepts, rather than the traditional models of treating each individual illness as separate from the person." http://www.mlive.com/businessreview/annarbor/index.ssf/2008/07/ann_arbor_named_healthiest_cit.html


And speaking of viewing health and happiness in the context of the whole person, a cello program called cellochan in Ann Arbor aspires to do just that. cellochan is a unique program for all ages that places the art of cello playing between the two bookends of care of self and care of others. The program juxtaposes relaxation, self-acceptance, and keen concentration and attention as essential to good playing. The surrounding optional activities, including frequent performance opportunities, offer the types of experiences and community support that can lead to greater personal well-being. Students come to value and respect their unique learning styles and clarify their own cellist goals. The word Chan comes from the word Ch'an, a Chinese word meaning ‘insight.’ Playing the cello involves all facets of a person: physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Finding our authentic musical ‘voice’ by employing patience, regular practice, self-love, and presence can open us up to greater levels of fulfillment and I believe, overall health.



This July 15th – 17th, cellochan held it's first cello retreat/camp, "CelloChanWoods." The theme of this cello retreat, held at the Michigan Friends Center in Chelsea, MI, was well-being and the arts. In the course of the three days they spent there, students learned beginning centering meditation, experienced deep relaxation through the Trager method, (http://www.trager-us.org/milton_trager.html) and prepared a performance of the Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber for cello ensemble. Meditation, Trager sessions, daily master classes and supervised individual practice occupied the mornings. Afternoons offered ample time for hikes, swimming, orchestra rehearsal, and a treasure hunt. The schedule produced a balance between the contemplative tone of the morning and freer activities in the afternoon. The ratio of students to counselors was three to one, providing students with a great deal of attention.




Janos Starker, one of the greatest living cellists of the twentieth century said: "Power is not force." He is referring here, in my view, to the need for complete freedom of physical motion while playing in order to allow a natural flow of energy and expression. This can apply to any activity. Pablo Casals, another of the great cellists and teachers said, "I always practiced as if I had forever." This statement, to me, suggests a compassionate approach to oneself in the practice room while simultaneously allowing the space needed for real trial and error and thus, real progress. This way of approaching learning is a gift to any student, in my experience, because there are so many natural obstacles, both physical and mental which can cause subtle tension and anxiety. Ann Arbor has demonstrated its commitment to both wellness and the arts. This program, which links the two, is fortunate to be part of a city where so many have made the ground fertile for a mission like that of cellochan.

cellochan mission:

To help students experience the joy of music-making;
To employ the cello as a tool in the work of self-esteem; 

To cultivate service to others through music.