NYC Cello Freelance Survival Kit
My NYC Cello Freelance Survival Kit
Running around with my cello traveling for concerts, and other events I always need some emergency items. Being without these taught me some hard lessons but these little things have changed my freelancing experience so much. These things are now always in my gig bag and I am passing this along, hoping you’ll have an easier time than I did.
** This post contains affiliate links. I have purchased and regularly use all of these items. Feel free to use these links or others
Black Wrap Dress
Fleece leggings
In-Ear Monitors with at least 2 Drivers
Water proof pouch for spare strings
Protein bars
Pepto (because…)
Emergen-C
Fast charging brick
Corkcicle Water Bottle
This black wrap dress is perfect for almost every wedding, event, and corporate gig you’ll get. It’s nice that you can wear it so many different ways and not get sick of wearing the same dress every weekend.
Aside from summer in NYC (where everything is a wet sauna) indoor venues, nighttime weddings, outdoor concerts, etc. will leave you cold in that wrap dress without some fleece leggings! I sometimes wear 2 layers of fleece leggings to keep warm and it makes a HUGE difference. You can also put on a bodysuit under the wrap dress (one with a very low back and strap options) to layer up.
A pro move to bring your own in-ear monitors to the gig - especially pop and big band gigs. You may not want to always use the monitors that have been in countless strangers ears. These also come with various ear bud sizes!
Cello strings are EXPENSIVE and in NYC… when it rains it pours *and sometimes that rain is hail. Protect your spare strings and rosin from the elements with a waterproof pouch. My cello case does have an external carrying pouch, but it is not waterproof ( found that out the hard way).
Long gig days and having dietary restrictions means protein bars for me. I have played cello on 12-14 hour corporate event jobs where there is no food for me in sight. Unfortunately, a lot of protein bars have a ton of sugar in them. These are filling enough to hold you over, give you some energy, and not too terrible tasting. They don’t have any sugar which means you won’t be getting a big sugar crash.
Eating on the road and also having a severe gluten allergy means sometimes food will not sit well with you, but the show must go on! Most recently… playing cello in philly and thinking it was a great idea to try out a Philly cheesesteak from a dark, greasy corner… Pepto was the real star.
It’s got electrolytes, vitamins, and zinc! And I love the taste! Hot summer days playing orchestra concerts outside have me dehydrated and these electrolytes really come in handy. Working during the pandemic, I also have been conscious of getting enough vitamin D. In a “normal” work year, I also teach lots of youth orchestra and group lessons in schools where getting an extra boost of vitamins has saved me from some really bad colds. This one does have sugar, but it gets me to take my vitamins AND drink water which is more than I can say for most brands!
I am always running out of batteries when running around with my cello and this baby charges my phone and iPad SO FAST. I read music off of an iPad and sometimes have long days of multiple shows, corporate events, or weddings. This charging brick is really amazing.
I just got this really pretty water bottle and it has helped me take that Emergen-C and drink water throughout the day which is something I’ve always struggled with. It looks slick on the outside but has a nice material that you can grip!
