It’s been quite a learning experience with Ms. Chen. Not only in terms of musicality, but also, I’ve never been frightened into playing well before.

Erin Ohashi, Oboe, Asst. Principal

During the night of the last PYP rehearsal, my mood went from sore to good to ecstatic. My second experience with Ms. Chen was intense, and even a little frightening, but it was one of the most worthwhile rehearsals I’ve ever had. After a lousy day dealing with some of the most immature and petty dramas of high school, I entered a rehearsal that made me confront and overcome a challenge that was important to me. I walked out of Glencoe surprised at how drastically my mood changed over the course of the day — from exhausted and frustrated to optimistic and refreshed.

There was one more mood swing in store for me that evening, however. I walked into my living room to find smiling parents and a large, thick packet sitting on the sofa. Seconds later I held in my shaking hands two letters: one, an acceptance letter to the Ithaca College of Music, and the other, a generous merit and music scholarship. The gloomy Monday completely turned itself around, and has made my week before it has hardly started. I’d like to thank PYP and Ms. Chen for putting me in a better mood before coming home to the exciting things that awaited me, and more importantly, for giving me a reason to get through my Mondays.

Alex Van Rysselberghe, Percussion, Co-Principal

From “Asian Stir-Fry Chefs” to “Cliff Jumping” and “Bubble Baths,” it seemed that Mei-Ann Chen had just about a million different images to get us apathetic high schoolers playing at a professional level. I had never played beneath her before, but I now understand why she’s in such high demand across the country. When she described the fireworks that should be exploding across the the tops of our heads, the cello chairs in front of our section were rocking back and forth so violently I was afraid the musicians would topple over and land on me (and that would certainly have made me an angry tomato). None the less, it was quite a show she presented me tonight, and when I got into my car to drive back home, the U2 album in the cd player didn’t seem as impressive as it did on the ride up. It’s rehearsals like this one that remind me good music can’t be recorded, because there’s so much more that goes into it than just what our ears can sense.

On a side note; Ben’s Tuba playing is mind-blowing, my section leader gives really good hugs, AND!! Mei-Ann Chen didn’t do that obnoxious snake-charmer dance that seems to frequent conductors. Maybe it’s a guy thing.

Hannah Dexter, Stringed Bass, Asst. Principal

Ms. Chen is known for her exclamations and enthusiasm during rehearsal.
Example: today she shouted “Don’t rush your apple!!” at the
percussionists. Ms. Chen is very good at making things that would
otherwise seem random fit perfectly into place. That sentence, so weird
when taken out of context, makes perfect sense to me. That, combined
with the unbelievable amount of energy she unleashes from the podium,
makes me really glad to have her back, even if it is only for three
weeks or so.

Michael P. Lee, Clarinet, Asst. Principal