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A record number of cellists, 157 to be exact, gathered on one stage for the South Carolina Cello Choir event on September 16, 2006 with the dynamic and passionate guest clinician, Martha Gershefski, Professor of Cello at Georgia State University in Atlanta. This annual gathering of cellists from all over SC and neighboring states was hosted this year by Bob Jones University.

This year’s event started with a Friday afternoon and evening of masterclass sessions. Ms. Gerschefski conducted two animated and inspiring sessions for intermediate to advanced level students. To accommodate the overflow of applicants Robert Jesselson, University of South Carolina, and Sharon Gerber, Bob Jones University, shared another session that ran concurrently with one of Ms. Gerschefski’s sessions.

The next morning, cellists of all ages and playing levels gathered on one stage where Ms. Gerschefski led the Full Choir through several rehearsals in order to prepare and polish music for the afternoon performance. Then, while she prepared a second group - the Advanced Choir (with approximately 80 cellists) – concurrent sessions for younger players were conducted by David Saliny (Sr. Allstate), Paul Buyer (Jr. Allstate), and Heidi McKee (sectionals).

Ms. Gerschefski’s infectious energy and charisma piloted us through a full day of rehearsals which culminated in a rousing final public performance of the music that had been sightread just that morning. Congratulations to all the cellists and the behind-the-scene-workers who made this year’s event such a notable success. Please join us again next year in Columbia where the event will take place on the campus of the University of South Carolina on September 28-29.