Dear Mr. Nelson,
I remember hearing "Love Story Meets Viva La Vida" when it first came out and just falling in love with it. It was morning, and the smell of breakfast was drifting through the farmhouse. We were all gathering around the table to eat when we heard your music. My sister had clicked on your youtube video. I remember that all ten of us gathered around the computer like barnacles to the side of a ship and just watched. We replayed the video maybe ten times. I play cello, so I have an idea of the perseverance involved in playing like you do - you play cello like Rumplestiltskin spun straw! But you know what was better than watching the skill? Seeing the joy written all over you and John Schmidt's faces while you played. I mean, I know that feeling. That moment when I manage to coax the music to come out of my fingers just like it should... it's amazing.
I actually started playing violin when I was about eight. My parents are dedicated to music and bought each of us kids an instrument around that age. I took private lessons from friends for a while, until I played moderately well. At the age of fourteen I switched to cello, after watching the closing scene from"Master and Commander". (If you have never watched that movie, at least watch the end. It's a beautiful duet between a cello and a violin.) I was hooked. So Dad bought me a $1000 cello off ebay, and I started lessons. Eventually I convinced my cello teacher to help me play that song, and I performed it twice last year. As for where I am headed with cello now... well, it's kind of unknown. So far, my sisters and I have been playing at churches and weddings. I love it: love the chance to harmonize, love to watch the audience, love to hear the music! Now my little brother Dustin wants to be a cellist when he grows up.
The reason I am writing this letter to you is that you are a hero of mine. I was at your concert in Cleveland last night and I was just blown away by the show. Probably my favorite part of the show was towards the end, when you said "People like Jay Leno ask us 'where do you get these ideas?'" and you were like "where do we get these ideas?" and freaking out a little, and then you heard a clear voice tell you that "I gave you the ideas". And it was God. I sat there listening and I just about jumped out of my seat yelling "I knew it!" Because your music is like nothing I have heard before, not because of the instruments or talent, but because I hear heaven in your music, and I was wondering if it was just me, and now I know it wasn't. See, that is why I started playing - I want people to hear heaven in my music. I want them to get that funny ache inside that I get when I hear something beautiful. I want to inspire and encourage with my music. You and Mr. Schmidt do that. As I was sitting in the State Theater I was thinking earnestly on the subject of heroes. The image of a lamp prism came to mind. You know, when light shines through a prism, that prism shines like a jewel. Yet, the prism is only reflecting the light. You guys have been prisms to me, reflecting the character of God through your music. Thank you.
I have a question that I would love to sit down and talk out with you. But since that is improbable, here it is. Do you ever feel like you aren't a very good cellist, even though you are? I do. Often.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you for your music.
Sincerely,
Cheri Baer
I remember hearing "Love Story Meets Viva La Vida" when it first came out and just falling in love with it. It was morning, and the smell of breakfast was drifting through the farmhouse. We were all gathering around the table to eat when we heard your music. My sister had clicked on your youtube video. I remember that all ten of us gathered around the computer like barnacles to the side of a ship and just watched. We replayed the video maybe ten times. I play cello, so I have an idea of the perseverance involved in playing like you do - you play cello like Rumplestiltskin spun straw! But you know what was better than watching the skill? Seeing the joy written all over you and John Schmidt's faces while you played. I mean, I know that feeling. That moment when I manage to coax the music to come out of my fingers just like it should... it's amazing.
I actually started playing violin when I was about eight. My parents are dedicated to music and bought each of us kids an instrument around that age. I took private lessons from friends for a while, until I played moderately well. At the age of fourteen I switched to cello, after watching the closing scene from"Master and Commander". (If you have never watched that movie, at least watch the end. It's a beautiful duet between a cello and a violin.) I was hooked. So Dad bought me a $1000 cello off ebay, and I started lessons. Eventually I convinced my cello teacher to help me play that song, and I performed it twice last year. As for where I am headed with cello now... well, it's kind of unknown. So far, my sisters and I have been playing at churches and weddings. I love it: love the chance to harmonize, love to watch the audience, love to hear the music! Now my little brother Dustin wants to be a cellist when he grows up.
The reason I am writing this letter to you is that you are a hero of mine. I was at your concert in Cleveland last night and I was just blown away by the show. Probably my favorite part of the show was towards the end, when you said "People like Jay Leno ask us 'where do you get these ideas?'" and you were like "where do we get these ideas?" and freaking out a little, and then you heard a clear voice tell you that "I gave you the ideas". And it was God. I sat there listening and I just about jumped out of my seat yelling "I knew it!" Because your music is like nothing I have heard before, not because of the instruments or talent, but because I hear heaven in your music, and I was wondering if it was just me, and now I know it wasn't. See, that is why I started playing - I want people to hear heaven in my music. I want them to get that funny ache inside that I get when I hear something beautiful. I want to inspire and encourage with my music. You and Mr. Schmidt do that. As I was sitting in the State Theater I was thinking earnestly on the subject of heroes. The image of a lamp prism came to mind. You know, when light shines through a prism, that prism shines like a jewel. Yet, the prism is only reflecting the light. You guys have been prisms to me, reflecting the character of God through your music. Thank you.
I have a question that I would love to sit down and talk out with you. But since that is improbable, here it is. Do you ever feel like you aren't a very good cellist, even though you are? I do. Often.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you for your music.
Sincerely,
Cheri Baer
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