International musician Carel Henn will be shooting for the Guinness World Record books this coming weekend when he attempts to play a cello for 26 straight hours.
The 42-year-old Henn is a resident of Blairgowrie, South Africa, and a member of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra.
He will be attempting the marathon performance at the Bonnyville Baptist Church on Dec. 19 and on into Dec. 20.
“It is me that is setting the World Record, but it is not actually about me. We are trying to raise some funds to send a youth group to Mexico,” said Henn.
Guinness World Record's encourages people that are attempting to set records to join their attempt to a charity, so people aren't just going for the record for themselves. It is more about the kids than it is about me.”
Henn will start the challenge at 4 p.m. on the Friday until 6 p.m. on the Saturday evening. Friends and family will be on hand to collect donations for the Church's mission trip to Mexico. There will be refreshments and snacks on hand as well as an art display from the Aurora Visual Arts Society.
Henn's sister has been one of the lead organizers for the event, arranging all of the necessary people to help the attempt at the World Record go smoothly.
“I think my family on this side has done more work than I have had to do,” said Henn. “It feels like the playing for 26 hours will be the easy part.”
The rules and regulations set by Guinness are quite strict and require a steward, two witnesses and two timekeepers to be on hand at all times during the record attempt. These people are also only allowed to work in two-hour shifts.
As for Henn, he will be allowed five minute breaks for every hour that he plays, at strategy, which he plans to stick to.
“What I have been doing in my preparation is stick to 60 to 65 minutes and then take a five minute break. It is easier to get your mind set around that,” said Henn.
“The Guinness association is quite strict with the rules and regulations. I had to submit a playlist and tell them exactly what I was planning to play and they have approved them.”
He has submitted a collaboration of 10 hours worth of music that will be repeat about two and a half times over the course of the 26 hour record breaking attempt. Some of the music will come from two of his CD's: Flying Solo and Appassionato.
“I play a lot. I do a lot of gigs and teaching and other things. I am busy all day playing, but I have never played that long continuously,” said Henn, who expects there to be some challenges.
“My fingers will get sore and my arm will get sore holding the bow in the air after a couple of hours. If I can compare it to running it will be like a double marathon. It is a long distance endurance event.”
Although it will be a marathon, Henn is excited and feels he is ready for the challenge.
“I am quite fit at the moment. I have been strengthening myself,” said Henn. “I have been playing a lot the past couple months, so I feel strong and confident.”
