Coach Spotlight: Learn More about Pierce Cook!
Mr. Cook serves TRYPO as the Symphonette conductor, Tutti Strings conductor, Music Theory instructor for TRYPOsphere, and a coach for Youth Chamber Connection (YC²). Mr. Cook is the proud director of orchestras at Mellon Middle School in Mt. Lebanon, redesignated in 2021 as a Don Eichhorn Pennsylvania School to Watch. Mellon’s Orchestra Program includes many opportunities for all students to get involved – a Cross-Aged Tutoring Program, a Chamber Orchestra, a Pops Orchestra, Cello Ensemble, and student-formed and managed small ensembles.
Over the past eight years, Mellon’s orchestras have performed annually throughout the region at local hospitals, assisted living residences, and an annual holiday performance at South Hills Village Mall.
Additionally, as an educator, Mr. Cook has provided private lessons out of his home studio since 2005 and served as the Bass Coach for Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2022 Mr. Cook teamed up with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to host several “Beethoven in Your Neighborhood” Library Project events.
Youth Chamber Connection caught up with Mr. Cook as we head into our summer break to learn more about his music experience and passion for chamber music!
How long have you been coaching chamber music? 2 years! My group this past season, Gaboon Viper, performing at Duquense. I thought they absolutely owned the stage, I was really proud. (In the 2021-22 season, Mr. Cook also coached Party Cake Quartet and the Upright Aces)!
Why is chamber music important to you? Ironically, since I guess I spend a lot of time conducting now, I really love the idea of musicians being able to work together without the help of a conductor. I love the empowerment that is implied, and the ability to really be expressive and push your own limits. I find at school some of the best classes are when I am not there and the kids take charge. This is the spirit of chamber music.
What is one of your favorite parts of chamber rehearsals or performances? The process. 100% the process of the collaboration and the grind of perfecting your own part and the art of shaping all of the parts into something worthy of sharing with the world.
What’s on your music stand right now? Oh man! I call the summer my "off-season" and this is when I get to really work on projects and my own practice. I am working through a few etude books on string bass that I have not played in years, the suzuki series on violin and cello, some really beautiful collections of intermediate piano music on piano, and some of you know about my crazy Nutcracker project. If you do not know about it yet, you likely will soon! Also, my band "Studio E" keeps my busy learning new music almost every week for events.
Do you have a piece of wisdom or advice to share with our YC2 family? Everyone needs rest. Take a break. But if you really want to be great at what you are doing, you have to do it even when you don't feel like it. Make it a habit to practice, not just something you do when you are bored!