I had played in junior-high and high school bands
over 40 years ago and gained a deep appreciation
and love of orchestral music. I was thrilled to
learn that El Cerrito was launching a beginning
orchestra along with an amateur orchestra this past
summer. I immediately joined and have greatly
enjoyed the friendships that came with joining the
orchestra. Playing music again has improved my
ability to ‘listen’ to the various voices of the other
players and enabled me to learn interesting facts
about musical theory and style that would have
gone completely over my head in high school.
FEBRUARY 2020 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM 41
as beginner musicians, and is the perfect chance for
adults to join a supportive and educational space
where musical growth is celebrated. As Ronald
Deans, who plays trumpet observed, “In rehearsals,
we encourage each
other. When someone
had trouble with a part,
we waited patiently and
cheered once they got it.”
Conductor Baldwin
takes into consideration
each player’s experience,
skill, and comfort level
when programming
performance pieces. His
conductor’s wand doubles
as a magician’s wand:
Within a concert set,
he is able to transform
a collection of amateur
musicians, most playing in
a group for the first time in many years and perhaps
ever, into a cohesive orchestra that plays beautifully
together.
For many musicians, joining the ECCO has been
the perfect way to revive their passion for playing
and to discover new wonders in music. As Wayne
Howard, bassoonist, commented, “Though we’re not
as proficient, we’re serious in our efforts.” Howard last
played 53 years ago prior to joining ECCO. “Playing
music again has improved
my ability to ‘listen’ to the
various voices of other
players and enabled me
to learn interesting facts
about musical theory and
style that would have gone
completely over my head
in high school,” remark
Gary Pieroni, clarinetist.
The ECCO was created
as a summer-only program
with nine members.
Exhilarated by their
experience and wanting to
keep playing together, the
original ECCO members
successfully appealed to the El Cerrito Arts and
Culture Commission to continue the program sooner.
Having caught the attention of like-minded musicians,
the ECCO ensemble more than doubled in size
from the summer to the winter sessions, expanding
to 21 players. “I have always wanted to
be a part of something special starting
from the beginning and build it into
something extraordinary,” Deans shared.
“One day, I will be able to say proudly, I
was one of the first nine that help build
this beautiful orchestra.”
The ECCO has so far had two
performances—a summer recital in
August 2019 and a winter recital in
December 2019. Their next concert
will take place in May 2020. The spring
session will start up in February 2020.
Registration information is available
on the El Cerrito Arts and Culture
Commission website.
The ECCO hopes to keep fostering
amateur musicians’ love of music
by holding free concerts for the
community. Let’s never forget: Without
music, life would B-flat!
- Gary Pieroni:
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