Homage to "Augie"

This post is to recognize and commemorate a great teacher. August Heilbron was the cello teacher that had the greatest impact on me as a cellist and as an imerging man. August was an amazing cellist who could take any piece of music and make it sound exquisite. Even practice book exercises were like listening to master compositions when he played them. It was in listening to him that I came to understand what a cello should sound like and what a "real" player can do. Technically he demanded that I learn to "count" which is the basis for all musical endeavors..it wasn't just counting the metering of a piece...it was more of what notes are presented and what is their impact or requirements within a given measure or piece. I was not that good at "counting" I was muddle headed and in some cases not able to do it...But I learned enough during our years together to be able to do it when I have needed to at times in my musical life. It's always been when I have been under severe pressure to do it...that somewhere deep inside this ability comes up and enables me to do it. Augie also instructed me in the position of the cello and the body, holding the bow, the characteristics of up and down bowings to acheive fluidity of sound..Again, he was a master of bow control and sound production. His belief was always make the cello sing...play out...let the big sound be heard. He instructed me in the use of fingerings for passages and different playing styles. Fingerings are essential to playing difficult or complex music..you simply cant do it unless you have good fingerings. Augie was a gentle task master...He would strive to get what he needed but he had a way of expressing himself that made you feel like he cared about you even though you weren't providing what was needed. His verbal communication skills were crystal clear, the result of a very sharp mind and experience. Augie taught me discipline in my music which carried over into all aspects of my life. I am using discipline to refer to the ability that one must have to be methodical in approaching a problem, analytical, self driven, able to understand the ramifications at hand of any situation and the ability to develop a plan of attack and methodology for overcoming or addressing an issue that one faces. It's the ability to be self sufficient in all circumstances in problem solving. Performing pieces for competitions and playing in Reno with the Reno Phil gave me exposure to performance under duress or pressure another skill that has served me well in my life. Thank you Augie for your presence and affect in my life. I am able to be the cellist who I am today because of you. I have always thought in difficult or challenging music times about you. I have always strived to play and perform in a way that you would be proud of.