Cellists needed to help Celtic artist plant 10,000 trees via music video pledge campaign

’Cellos for Trees’ is a call to action to plant 10,000 trees, spearheaded by Irish cellist Clíodhna Ní Aodáin, founder of The Celtic Cello, and Brenda Neece, founder of The Cello Museum. Together, their first goal is to generate funds to plant 5000 trees in Ireland and 5000 trees globally as part of key impact reforestation projects.

Their vision is to invite cellists from all over the world to participate in creating a poignant music video project. Ní Aodáin, an advocate of environmental regeneration, has composed a multi-track cello piece called Full Circle – Cellos for Trees and invites cello participants to be part of the music video.

Each participant must pledge at least CHF5.00/ US$5.60 to take part, which will go towards the planting of trees. There is the opportunity for affluent cellists to sponsor low income cellists, as well as the chance for non cellists to support the project.  Each cellist chooses a part to play, then makes a video of themselves playing under their favourite tree. The final video will combine these images to create a virtual forest of cellos and trees.

There is a part for every cellist: Beginner – Intermediate – Advanced - Professional.

Representing a musical tree, Full Circle – Cellos for Trees grows from the seed to the roots to the trunk to the crown. Listeners will hear the ‘tree’ as it grows. As the lyrical melodies build, the compelling groove drives deeper into the ground to support the magnificence of the tree as it emerges. 

Ní Aodáin draws on her background in classical and improvised music in this composition, melding contemporary and traditional styles. The work aims to illustrate the cherisment early-Celtic people had for nature and their sacred reverence for the environment, an awareness that has been displaced in modern culture.

Full Circle - Cellos for Trees was released on Earth Day, 22 April 2023. Ní Aodáin encourages her listeners to renew their appreciation of the earth.

Registrations for participation close on 15 May 2023. More information can be found here. The final video will be released on the summer solstice, 21 June 2023.