WINter 2014: Music
There have
been many new habits I had to form and break during the transition from high
school to college. During high school, music dominated my life. I practiced
about two to three hours every day, took private lessons, participated in the
youth symphony, taught lessons to middle school students, and led the school
chamber ensemble and string quartet. There was always something to practice
for: performances, competitions, recitals, or auditions. However, after coming
to college, my musical life has subsided. I am still active in these areas to
some degree, however, I practice much less and there are no competitions to
cause stress or the hurry to perfect a piece. Though I am sad that a previously
prominent part of my life is no longer as significant, I am glad to have been
able to keep it as a hobby. I can still enjoy playing and making music with
fellow musicians.
This quarter, I was able to participate in the University Symphony Orchestra and take private lessons. I had not taken private lessons for about six months at the beginning of the quarter--- I did not take lessons over summer break and was not able last quarter. I was nervous but excited to finally work on solo pieces and techniques again. I only worked on smaller pieces (Bartok's Romanian Dances and Paganini Caprice No.15). However, I learned many different techniques and learned to loosen up--- physically and mentally. I grip less onto my bow and the neck of my violin. I now have more control over my bow, though I can still use much improvement. Also, working in this new mindset where I do not have deadlines looming over was different yet refreshing. Yes, it made me more reluctant to place practicing as my priority. However, it made me enjoy playing and learn to practice not because of some competition ahead but because I truly want to improve and be able to play a piece to a point where it is technically good enough for me to finally express myself through the music. Through this new environment, I am (re)discovering the purpose of playing.
The University Symphony Orchestra has been a different experience than the youth symphony I had been in. We have more rehearsals: three two hour rehearsals compared to one two and a half rehearsals every week; two to three concerts every quarter (ten weeks) compared to four concerts in a school year (about nine months). Normally, we would have two concerts per quarter. This quarter was slightly different. One concert split the orchestra into two, one to play in the baroque orchestra and the other in the classical orchestra. I was placed in the baroque orchestra and had the opportunity to work in a smaller group and play with baroque bows. I had to learn to adjust to the shorter and lighter bows and play in the baroque style, which was interesting and fun. I enjoyed the smaller group. It reminded me of my high school chamber orchestra and was much easier to listen to others. For the next concert, we only had two weeks to prepare---six rehearsals to put the pieces together. Everything seemed chaotic. It amazed me to think that professional orchestras may work in this short span of a time, yet sound so together. I guess that's why they are professional. Working in these shorter time spans and in various group sizes and musical styles allowed me to become more flexible and concentrated to prepare for the concert dates.
Coming to college, playing violin has become a hobby rather than a lifestyle. However, I feel I have continued to grow as a musician, possibly not as much technically, but in other aspects such as versatility and adjustability. I am excited to develop my musician character throughout the rest of my college career and see where I end up musically.
This quarter, I was able to participate in the University Symphony Orchestra and take private lessons. I had not taken private lessons for about six months at the beginning of the quarter--- I did not take lessons over summer break and was not able last quarter. I was nervous but excited to finally work on solo pieces and techniques again. I only worked on smaller pieces (Bartok's Romanian Dances and Paganini Caprice No.15). However, I learned many different techniques and learned to loosen up--- physically and mentally. I grip less onto my bow and the neck of my violin. I now have more control over my bow, though I can still use much improvement. Also, working in this new mindset where I do not have deadlines looming over was different yet refreshing. Yes, it made me more reluctant to place practicing as my priority. However, it made me enjoy playing and learn to practice not because of some competition ahead but because I truly want to improve and be able to play a piece to a point where it is technically good enough for me to finally express myself through the music. Through this new environment, I am (re)discovering the purpose of playing.
The University Symphony Orchestra has been a different experience than the youth symphony I had been in. We have more rehearsals: three two hour rehearsals compared to one two and a half rehearsals every week; two to three concerts every quarter (ten weeks) compared to four concerts in a school year (about nine months). Normally, we would have two concerts per quarter. This quarter was slightly different. One concert split the orchestra into two, one to play in the baroque orchestra and the other in the classical orchestra. I was placed in the baroque orchestra and had the opportunity to work in a smaller group and play with baroque bows. I had to learn to adjust to the shorter and lighter bows and play in the baroque style, which was interesting and fun. I enjoyed the smaller group. It reminded me of my high school chamber orchestra and was much easier to listen to others. For the next concert, we only had two weeks to prepare---six rehearsals to put the pieces together. Everything seemed chaotic. It amazed me to think that professional orchestras may work in this short span of a time, yet sound so together. I guess that's why they are professional. Working in these shorter time spans and in various group sizes and musical styles allowed me to become more flexible and concentrated to prepare for the concert dates.
Coming to college, playing violin has become a hobby rather than a lifestyle. However, I feel I have continued to grow as a musician, possibly not as much technically, but in other aspects such as versatility and adjustability. I am excited to develop my musician character throughout the rest of my college career and see where I end up musically.