What made you interested in playing the violin?
I’ve always been passionate about music, and it has essentially been the one thing constant in my life. When I was younger, I tried looking for an activity I both enjoyed and in which I challenged myself. I went through several sports but wasn’t able to continue with any. Playing the violin has proved to be a non-athletic passion that I’ve been able to pursue both independently and in groups, and it is one of the biggest parts of my life.
How long have you been playing and what inspired you to pick up this instrument?
I’ve been playing the violin since I was in third grade, which means it has been about nine years, and I was mostly inspired by my family history. My parents essentially passed down the “music gene” to me, as they both played or even taught others to play musical instruments. My mother’s love for music stemmed from stories of her great-grandfather who taught himself to play the violin and became a choir conductor despite coming from a poor family. My older brother was the first to begin playing music, participating in the school orchestra for several years, and I decided to follow in his footsteps and pick up the violin.
Could you share some memorable moments from your musical journey in high school?
The most memorable moments from my musical journey in high school were definitely the performances. Being on stage is almost transforming, since at one moment you’re a regular person in the audience and the next you’re on the opposite side of that. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to go to Orlando with other instrumentalists at Central. While there, I was able to spend time with friends as well as connect with members of the school orchestra and marching band that I hadn’t spoken to or known before. I also participated in an orchestral workshop, learning about and playing the music behind different Disney classics, going on to perform with a full orchestra on stage at Disney Springs. These were amazing experiences in which I built my self-confidence in both performance and my knowledge of music.
What does being a violin 1 co-principal entail, and how did you achieve this position?
Being Violin 1 Co-Principal entails working with other students playing the Violin 1 part in order to ensure note and rhythmic accuracy, appropriate phrasing of the music, and consistent timing throughout the section. I often discuss with those around me in order to figure out, for example, what bowing to use at certain spots in order to stay together and feel comfortable playing the music in front of us. Coming into high school, I joined the Freshman String Orchestra and was the co-principal player. As I moved up to the Advanced String Orchestra, I was given the placement of Principal Player/Concert Master, or first chair in the Violin 1 section. This was both an enjoyable and challenging experience as I took on leading my section, difficult solos, and even conducting a piece at the spring instrumental concert. This year, I was placed as the Co-Principal player for the first violins. I am proud and happy to continue being part of a group where I can always learn more, provide my personal take on music and ways of performing it, and spend time with people I learn from every day.
How do you manage to balance your academic commitments with your role in the orchestra?
Being in the orchestra is both a break from my academic commitments and a medium to challenge myself in a non-academic manner. If I am stressed about school subjects, playing the violin takes my mind off of those difficulties and allows me to be a part of a different group of people and subject-matter. Even so, my role in the orchestra can be stressful sometimes as well; an “off day” can make me self-conscious about my skills, or a difficult passage or piece in general can be frustrating. Overcoming these obstacles, however, is an accomplishment and motivates me to continue playing. Overall, it is not difficult to balance my academics with my participation in the orchestra as I value both and greatly enjoy the latter.
As you approach graduation, do you have any plans to continue playing the violin in college or beyond?
I hope to continue playing the violin in college, which I could do by joining an orchestral ensemble at the school I attend or working on it on my own. Learning to play the violin was challenging, and I’ve gathered many skills, both physical and mental, along the way, so I wouldn’t want to give up something that is such a big part of my life.
What advice would you give to younger students who are interested in pursuing a musical instrument or joining the orchestra?
Participating in a music ensemble, whether it is orchestra, band, or a choral group, is an enjoyable and beneficial experience. It allows you to form a deeper bond with both music and other people. The best advice I could give to younger students interested in joining a music ensemble is to try new things. You might think performing isn’t for you, or that playing an instrument or singing stops at a standard performance; in reality, however, there are a multitude of opportunities to explore and create music, including more visual and active groups like the marching band, communities made up of people who share a love for music and performing, like the Tri-M Music Honor Society and Thespian Society, and smaller extracurricular music groups, such as the Madrigals and All Strings Attached. What is amazing about our school music program is that it allows students to be part of more than one group, more than their standard orchestra, band, or choral class program, and these opportunities should definitely be taken advantage of.
What will you miss the most about being a part of the school orchestra after graduation?
The people are definitely one of the most notable aspects of being a part of the school orchestra. By participating in the school orchestra since it was available to me, I’ve become closer with people I already knew and formed deep connections with people I met along the way. From joking around to playing various genres of music together, I will always miss spending time with the people in the orchestra and will try to keep in touch with them after graduation.
