The holidays are here, and it’s the perfect time to find the perfect cello-inspired gifts for your loved ones—or treat yourself! Whatever holiday(s) you celebrate, we’ve gathered some fantastic ideas to make your gift-giving easier. Have your own cello-themed suggestions? Share them with us on social media!
Picks from Cello Museum Interviews and Articles
This was an eventful (and productive) year for many outstanding cellists, including several who released new recordings and other publications. Here’s a curated list of notable publications and recordings:
- New Book by Miranda Wilson – Cellist and professor Miranda Wilson has recently published a new book, Notes for Cellists: A Guide to the Repertoire (Notes for Performers), a resource exploring cello compositions across five centuries. The book offers analytical overviews and background information, making it invaluable for students, professionals, and enthusiasts alike. Find it here in paperback or Kindle.
- New Album by Ovidiu Marinescu – Renowned cellist Ovidiu Marinescu, accompanied by pianist Noreen Cassidy-Polera, released Resurgence, an album featuring contemporary works reflecting themes of transformation and emergence.
- New Album by India Gailey – Award-winning cellist and composer India Gailey presents Butterfly Lightning Shakes the Earth, a mini-album of her own compositions. The recording includes “Mountainweeps,” a set of three brief solo cello pieces, and the title track, a concerto performed with Symphony Nova Scotia under conductor Karl Hirzer. Gailey’s work combines experimental timbres with accessible melodies.
- New Edition of Mellow Cello by Gill Tennant – Our very own Cello Museum team member, Gill Tennant, has recently released a new edition of her wonderful collection of short stories, Mellow Cello. This is not to be missed!
- A New Edition of French Cello and Piano Music edited by Valérie Aimard et al. – Don’t miss this new collaborative edition of French music for cello and piano by the creators of the CELLO KIDS YouTube channel and Carl Fischer Music. This edition includes French pieces recorded on the channel.
- For the history-loving cellist, these two remarkable books by Peter François make exceptional gifts.
- The Belgian School of Cello Playing – This in-depth exploration of Belgium’s rich cello tradition highlights influential figures and the development of a distinctive style that shaped generations of cellists. A must-have for those interested in the roots and evolution of cello playing.
- François Servais: The Paganini of the Cello – Discover the life and legacy of François Servais, one of the most virtuosic and celebrated cellists of the 19th century. Known as the “Paganini of the Cello,” Servais’s contributions to cello technique and repertoire continue to inspire cellists today.
- Sheet Music and/or Recordings Featured in Erica’s Postcards and the NYWC Spotlights – Explore the individual pieces highlighted by Erica in her Postcards series and our New York Women Composers Spotlights series. Cellists and listeners can find inspiration and enrichment in these pieces. Get yourself or a loved one a gift of sheet music and/or recordings. Find Erica’s Postcards here and our New York Women Composers Spotlights here.
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Team Member Recommendations
The following suggestions come from some of our Cello Museum team members and extended Cello Museum family.
Ideas from Our Curator, Brenda Neece
Dr. Brenda Neece
Cello Fitness & Music Resources:
- Fitness—Stay in shape for cello playing and the rest of your life. Recently, I’ve been working with Damien at KungFit and cannot recommend his program enough. I know of at least one other cellist who is benefiting from his training as well. Also, please stay tuned for our new, asynchronous Cello Guild video course by Jimmy Brennan—coming just in time for the new year! It’s perfect for staying fit physically and musically.
- Sheet Music Editions: If you’re like me and love exploring new music, you can’t go wrong with editions by Michele Galvagno (see our monthly newsletters [scroll down the page] for links to his editions) and Yuriy Leonovich. Their scores are always easy to read, reliable, and a joy to play.
- Brenda’s Favorite Practical & Fun Gifts
- Notebooks: Even though much of my playing now happens from screens for easy page turning, I’ll always have a soft spot for physical notebooks. They’re perfect for jotting down practice notes, and, best of all, they never need recharging! I love carrying a notebook, so I prefer a small one (A6) but find the size that works for you. The above is my favorite at the moment. The cover keeps my notebook from getting damaged in my bag and has a pen and card holders. It’s great for taking notes on the go, while practicing, in lessons, and in rehearsals. In my office, I love using the larger Cello Museum spiral notebooks that lay flat on my desk.
- Pocket Printer: Ever take a snapshot of a hand position to help a student? You can print a photo directly from your phone in under a minute. (It works great for cat photos, too!) The photo paper it uses has a sticker backing so that you can stick a photo into your notebook. It’s handy for taking notes, reminding a student of a good hand position, or remembering a special moment. I love mine. Check it out here.
- T-Shirts & Holiday Sweatshirts: I love our Cello Master T-shirts—especially since I’m a Star Wars fan—and our 2024 “ugly sweater” holiday sweatshirt designs by James. The red version is my favorite, but we have many other festive holiday designs and products, too!
Practical Tools & Accessories
These two items have been handy this past year.
- Magnetic iPad Case: Originally designed for fridges, this handy case sticks to black metal music stands—perfect for rehearsals and practice! I thought it was a bit pricey when I got it, but now I love it. It keeps my iPad from falling off of metal stands. Be sure to get the right size for your iPad. Mine is an older model, but you can find versions for newer ones.
- Chair Cushion & Stool: This year, I’ve been playing in unusual places—at a nature center, at the beach, and outside under trees—and having this portable stool has opened up the possibilities of where I can play. While this stool is not the most comfortable, it is lightweight, easily carried via a strap or in my bigger gig bag, and very portable. I even used it in a crowded pit for a run of a two-plus-hour musical! You can make it more comfortable with this cushion. Also, be sure to lock it in the open position and not twist and turn too much while you play -you’ll unlock it! Thanks to Erica for putting me onto this stool.
Cello chair at the Bethany Beach Nature Center. Brenda’s magnetic iPad case (not pictured) stuck firmly to the metal stand for this event.
Additional Gift Suggestions from Brenda
In addition to the new cello repertoire book by Miranda Wilson mentioned above, I’m looking forward to reading Kate Kennedy’s ,Unspeakable Beauty: Works by Historical Women Composers Arranged for Unaccompanied Cello.
Even though I carry a planner with me, I still use a wall calendar to see a month at a glance. Be sure to check out the 2025 Cello Museum Wall Calendar that I designed. The calendar comes in two sizes and makes a great gift for cellists and non-cellists alike.
Ideas from Our Curator, Erica Lessie
Erica Lessie
Our curator, Erica Lessie, has some fantastic gift suggestions that are practical, fun, and perfect for the busy cellist or cello enthusiast in your life!
- Cello Museum Apron: Whether you’re cooking up a storm or working on instrument repairs, this apron is a versatile must-have.
- Cello Socks: Keep your feet cozy with cello-themed socks—a playful and stylish way to show your love for the instrument.
- Cello Museum Beach Towel: Our new Cello Museum beach towel is perfect for a day at the beach, a fitness session by the pool, or even relaxing at home. It’s a chic and practical addition to any cellist’s collection.
- Car Seat Organizer: For musicians always on the go—whether from gig to gig or teaching job to teaching job—this organizer is a lifesaver. It keeps your car tidy while keeping you prepared for your next stop.
- Small Calendar with a Day Per Page: This calendar is ideal for gigging musicians who need to stay organized, especially on busy weekends. It has a day per page—even on the weekends—and fits easily into your bag for ultimate convenience.
Ideas from Researcher Jonathan Simmons
Dr. Jonathan Simmons
- Cello Word Art Water Bottle: I take this bottle with me to rehearsals and lessons, and it always starts a conversation!
- Cello Museum Hoodie: Thanks to the cold weather, recently I’ve donned this hoodie many times over the past weeks.
- Korg Tuner/Metronome: The tuner doubles as a drone, which is helpful as it doesn’t drain my phone battery. The metronome includes many helpful settings and subdivisions.
- Cellist’s Guide to Scales and Arpeggios: A Comprehensive, Systematic, Sequential Approach For the serious cellist, nothing exists quite like this new scales book. It will put you through your paces, and I’ve learned many things from it myself.
Ideas from Professor Yuriy Leonovich
Dr. Yuriy Leonovich
Music is always a wonderful gift, and for those looking for something new (or a new take on something traditional), I would like to introduce my Fantasy on 2 traditional Christmas tunes, one of which is Ukrainian:
Ideas from Editor and Cello Mom, Renate Kwon
Renate Kwon
A bag for all the things—
- As my cellist has grown older, I find I am almost always scrambling to find a bag for the music binder, rosin, pencil(s), notebook, water bottle, snack, charger, and other essentials for a day of lessons, rehearsals, or performances. Fortunately, the Cello Museum shop has some excellent tote bag options (even one featuring a snapshot of a cello bridge) as well as a couple of backpacks (in yellow and green).
Practical accessories—
- For anyone looking to make the switch to a tablet for music, I strongly recommend accessorizing the Donner wireless page turner pedal—it connects via Bluetooth to most devices and is a lifesaver for quick, hands-free page turns.
Software for the hardcore musician—
- Another great gift for tablet-based musicians is the Music Sheets app (available for Android as well as iOS); a free demo version is available for up to 8 scores. ForScore is generally considered an outstanding app, but it is limited to iOS—not a problem for those using an iPad for sheet music, but slightly less versatile than Music Sheets.
Links to Previous Holiday Gift Guides
Can’t Decide or Need a Last-Minute Gift?
Get a Cello Guild class or a Cello Museum gift card. We will have more classes posted in the Guild before the end of December, so be sure to check back often or sign up for our Cello Guild mailing list.
A gift card is the perfect way to let the recipient choose their favorite cello-themed item!
Cello Museum Shop Delivery Times
Please be sure to order as early as possible and check delivery times. Our shop runs on a print-on-demand basis, meaning that each item is prepared especially for you. For this reason, it’s not as fast as ordering something overnight from a big company. If you have a question about delivery times to your destination, please contact us. Every purchase supports the Cello Museum.
If you run out of time and need a last-minute gift, remember that you can always get a gift card or a Cello Guild class rather than risk a delayed arrival.
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