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You'll have your last chance this season on Thursday, when the Bow Frogs play at a fundraiser for the Pinellas Youth Symphony. |
[Times photos: Michael Rondou]
Bow Frog Mary-Cathryn Zimmer, 9, known as Cat to her fellow musicians, concentrates during a rehearsal at Osceola Middle School, kitty face-paint by her drama teacher intact.
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By ARIEL CHOI
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 7, 2001
"Ribbit, ribbit," croaked 9-year-old Mary-Cathryn Zimmer. Translation: "I enjoy playing the cello."
So do the six other 9- and 10-year-old cellists from around Pinellas County who make music as the Bow Frogs, under the direction of cello coach Joan Lunde. The Bow Frogs are associated with the Pinellas Youth Symphony and were formed to help prepare kids to play in the orchestra and to cultivate more cellists.
How did these "frogs" get their name?
The original group of four cellists wanted a name that would be catchy, and "Bow Frogs" jumped right off the lily pads at them. Jessica Hall, 10, one of the Bow Frogs, drew the logo that adorns their shirts. You guessed it, it's a frog playing the cello.
What do they enjoy most about being part of the Bow Frogs?
"I like to play the pieces because they're challenging," said 9-year-old Julie Lucas. The pieces for the performances are chosen and usually arranged by Mrs. Lunde, who graduated from the Vienna Academy of Music, has been a chamber music soloist and taught her first class at age 15.
Joan Lunde, who directs the Bow Frogs, demonstrates how she wants a piece played.
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"I just love the kids," a proud Mrs. Lunde said.
One of the group's pieces, Momma's Little Baby, was arranged by the kids themselves.
The Bow Frogs -- who, in addition to Mary-Cathryn, Jessica and Julie, are Ian Ceraolo, Eli Marger, Kim Gaesser and Danielle Rossbach -- have been kept hopping with performances this year, including two with the Pinellas Youth Symphony. (They also are available for hire in exchange for a donation to the Pinellas Youth Symphony; see phone number below.)
Their last performance of the season will be Thursday at the Pinellas Youth Symphony spring fundraiser, silent auction and dinner. The event will be in the Margaret Heye Great Room at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater at 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited, but you may call (727) 438-3149 to reserve tickets ($20 adults, $15 children under 12).
The Bow Frogs love their cellos: Clockwise, from top, are Ian Ceraolo, 10; Eli Marger, 10; Danielle Rossbach, 10; Julie Lucas, 9; Kim Gaesser, 9; Jessica Hall, 10; and Mary-Cathryn Zimmer, 9.
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Ariel Choi, 11, is in the fifth grade at Hunter's Green Elementary School in Tampa.
Here's the rest of today's Xpress
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