Artist of the Week: Gianna Crescimanno

For Warwick Valley High School senior Gianna Crescimanno, it was love at first sound between her and the cello.

“The first time I heard it in the fourth grade, I knew that’s what I wanted to play,” Gianna said. “It was around the time when we were trying out different instruments and I knew 100% that it would be the cello.”

Gianna surprised the music teacher at the time, because she had also tried out the viola that same day and made a solid impression. Something about Gianna’s try-out suggested to the teacher that she might be better at viola. Alas, Gianna was smitten.

“When my teacher asked me which one I was going to pick, I said ‘cello,’” Gianna said with a smile. “It had to be cello. She was definitely surprised.”

Since then, Gianna has been dedicated to the cello, developing her skills all the time and performing in school ensembles over the years. Last year she tried out for the Orange County Music Educators Association All-County Band, nailed her audition and represented Warwick Valley alongside other Wildcat musicians at the festival.

“I tried out again this year,” Gianna added, “and I got in. So, I’m preparing for that now!”

Gianna plays in the high school Chamber Orchestra under the direction of music teacher Elissa Maynard. The ensemble recently performed its annual winter concert, during which they performed a piece entitled Symphony Concertante, arranged by Dr. Sandra Dackow specifically for the WVHS orchestra. Dr. Dackow is known for her orchestral arrangements, conducting and pedagogy.

“It was really cool, because the piece was actually arranged for us by a famous conductor,” said Gianna. “That night was its debut, so it was really exciting.”

Not surprisingly for a string player, classical music is the genre Gianna enjoys most. A piece called String Quartet Number 8 by Shostakovich is a particular favorite.

“It’s like a 20-minute piece but there’s this section in the ‘Alegro Molto’ part, about five minutes where it’s super-fast and intense. It sounds so cool.”

Gianna also participates in Wire Choir, a string ensemble that’s open to students in grades five through 12 and performs the “pop, rock, and hip hop hits of today and yesterday.” As a high school member, Gianna enjoys helping the younger players with their reading, giving them practical playing tips, and offering guidance and advice.

“I tell them to just be patient,” Gianna said. “It’s going to take you a few years to be able to play the things you want to play. It might take you a while to sound good, but you have to keep practicing and keep going to rehearsals.”

Gianna shares her feeling that the most important part of pursuing music – or anything – is that you must love it and have a passion for it.

“It’s normal to have times when you’ll want to quit,” she said. “I let them know that I’ve had those times too, but I know that at the end of the day, I love this instrument, and I want to keep playing it.”

Gianna is also a passionate visual art student. She is currently enrolled in the Portfolio & Art Careers class with Kristen Spano and participates in the WVHS Art Club. She is hoping to study animation in college next year.

“I always loved cartoons and animated shows like Bob’s Burgers,” Gianna said. “A lot of the schools I’m applying to for college, it’s because of their animation programs.”

A future in animation, however, does not mean a future without cello! Gianna knows she will always, definitely find space for that.

“I absolutely want to keep playing,” she said. “I’ll find a club or something in college so I can keep it with me!”