Christina Cho ’19 has been playing the cello for nine years.
Each year, select Seniors perform solos at orchestral concerts, accompanied by the Academy Orchestras. This year’s Senior Concerto winners are Eden Cui, Angelreana Choi, Shyan Koul, and Christina Cho. Several other musicians will be featured in a concert, accompanied by piano, including Jenni Lawson, Jonathan Lin, Mona Suzuki, Claire Lee, Will Duan, and Chloe Choi.
Watching the 2016 Senior Concerto winners perform with the orchestra in Cochran Chapel, Christina Cho ’19 found inspiration in their musical talents. Since then, Cho’s passion for the cello has inspired her to participate in various music groups on campus and audition for her own concerto solo.
“Ever since my [Junior] year, I always thought it was the coolest thing to see one of the Seniors playing with the Orchestra on the Chapel stage. The Senior at the time played the Lalo concerto, and that was really inspiring for me to watch. Lower Year, there was another Senior, and her name was Michelle [Koh ’17], and she played the Dvorak Cello Concerto. We became good friends, and I really looked up to her in terms of cello playing… I didn’t think I’d be able to make it this far,” said Cho.
Cho began playing the cello in the fourth grade after hearing her dad play the Bach Suites at home, and she had only played solo in her private lessons for the majority of her music career before Andover. Now, Cho feels the value of her playing because of the community that it builds.
“In the past, a lot of it was being able to play hard pieces and make beautiful music, but now… I’ll always be hanging out in Graves with [Diane Sachs] in the Music Office or with my chamber group playing after school, and in orchestra when we go on tour and [perform]… It really feels like a family at this point,” said Cho.
Cho’s involvement in multiple orchestral groups has allowed her to foster a deep connection with her fellow performers.
Cho will play Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85. Melodically intense and sorrowful, she feels that the piece complements her playing with its moody yet showy feel.
“I think that, musically, it fits me really well. I have [a] certain style of playing that really goes well with a darker, flamboyant piece… It’s really effective onstage, and with an orchestra.”
Editor’s Note: Christina Cho is a News Editor for The Phillipian.
