My Practice Sessions: Cristian Ganicenco
Cristian Ganicenco is the Principal Trombone of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
What time do you begin your first practice session?
7:30 am
What is your daily warm-up routine?
My warm-up routine is a compilation of personalized exercises, designed to review all aspects of playing. It also serves as a maintenance routine.
How long has this warm-up been a part of your practice sessions?
With small variations, for over twenty years.
How long is your warm-up routine?
Anywhere from 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the time constraints.
What part of your warm-up do you look forward to the most?
The lip flexibility, and different types of arpeggios.
What different elements have you changed (or removed) from your warm-up routine over the recent years?
I kept the same primordial elements that address all of playing, but in time, I slightly augmented some or reduced others to increase my time efficiency.
What time of day do you generally practice?
During rehearsals days with the Cincinnati Symphony (CSO) – mornings and evenings and when I’m off, anything goes.
How many practice sessions do you typically have a day?
Two personal sessions when I’m rehearsing with the orchestra; three or four on my off days.
Do you have a strict time limit for each practice session?
Not really…
How does your partner’s and/or family’s schedule fit into your practice sessions?
We always work it out.
After your last practice session of the day, do you do anything the night before to prepare for the next day’s sessions?
Decompress, relax, and if I’m working on a project, planning and developing a strategy. An efficient use of the next day’s time is crucial.
