Extra Reading practice 1

Extreme Cellists

Most string musicians are found in the orchestra at concert halls; not many cellists play while exploring cities or hiking through the countryside, but this is exactly what the Extreme Cellists do. This British trio claims to bring together extreme sport and performance art – usually cello music played outdoors – to raise money and awareness for various charities.

All the group members are classically-trained musicians. Clare Wallace teaches music and sings. James Rees also teaches, while Jeremy Dawson works as a statistician in addition to singing in a cathedral choir. Not surprisingly, their website also lists the soccer teams they support!

At their first appearance on Original Extreme Cello Day in 2003, the cellists climbed up a mountain to give their first performance, then down into a cave to deliver their second. Later, they arrived in the city of Sheffield and climbed up to the roof of a building for the third concert; they performed the fourth on a station platform, the fifth in a forest, and then played their last concert in a greenhouse in a city park. This is all even harder than it sounds because the musicians had to carry their cellos, each weighing about 13.5 kilograms, from venue to venue.

Other appearances followed quickly, giving the group a chance to play various classical works, as well as modern pieces by the Beatles and other contemporary musicians. The more challenging of their outings included trekking over 300 kilometres coast to coast, climbing the four highest mountains in the United Kingdom and performing on the top of each to raise money for the Mountain Rescue charity. The group has also played at all 42 Anglican cathedrals in England, often on the roof, and on every street appearing on the London Monopoly board.

Who knows what these players will do next? Whatever it is, it will surely be a good way to raise money for worthy causes, pleasing listeners at the same time.