Rose basketball highlights
Cecilia Richardson moves to master music
FRI. | 02-18-22 | FEATURES
For some seniors, the application process is a very stressful and difficult task. It is a matter of writing essays, doing paperwork and many other things that can be daunting. For senior Cecilia Richardson, she has to carry the weight of all of these tasks, plus auditions.
Richardson is a dedicated musician, as she plays guitar, violin, bass and piano. Richardson was born into music having two parents who are music teachers.
“I started playing the violin when I was 4 and the guitar when I was nine,” Richardson said.
Richardson didn't have a huge interest in guitar until age twelve when she was given her first electric guitar.
“My dad had a friend who was moving away and he couldn't pack all of his guitars in his car because he played upright bass and drove a VW Bug,” Richardson said. “He gave one of his electric guitars to my dad…and I thought it was the coolest thing ever; so that's what made me want to play.”
Richardson is very passionate and committed to her music. She practices at home everyday and even at school as a member of jazz band and orchestra.
“Taking music classes at Rose is a way to at least be playing a little bit every day,” Richardson said.
In lieu of recent COVID restrictions and regulations, it can be difficult to perform in front of a crowd.
Photo by Ava Alger
However, Richardson tries to perform in front of people any chance she gets by playing at her church, in school concerts and community orchestra concerts.
Playing music, like most things, isn't always easy. There can be challenges and roadblocks along the way.
“It can feel like when you get stuck you're not ever going to get any better; you just have to take a big picture look and see how far you've come and keep working at it,” Richardson said.
Recently Richardson auditioned and was accepted into the NAfME (National Association for Music Educators), for jazz. Students from around the world joined Zooms and recorded parts for the production of a concert. Doing auditions virtually can be difficult, and recording yourself can be awkward. However, Richardson has done pretty well with these challenges.
“There are a lot of cons such as not getting to play with other people but there are a lot of pros like being able to do as many takes as you want,” Richardson said.
Richardson applied to East Carolina University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and University of North Carolina Greensboro by sending in her regular application plus her music auditions. On Jan 15, Richardson attended her UNC audition.
“I did [the audition at] Chapel Hill and that was pretty good, it was pretty scary but it wasn't that bad,” Richardson said.
After college, she hopes to do something with jazz but it is not super common.
“I'd be happy to do any job in music,” Richardson said. “Hopefully wherever I go [to college] I become a better musician and that will prepare me to become a professional musician.”
