My Wondrous Life as a Violist

My 7th Grade Year Playing the Viola (Part 1)

            I attended an Intermediate school; this means that there are only 7th and 8th graders that attend. I was ecstatic when we were finally playing with our instruments instead of reviewing school rules. We started off with sectionals. For those who don't know what sectionals are, they're basically rehearsals with your own section, based on your instrument. Since it was the beginning of the year and my orchestra included students of all different levels (beginning and advanced), we were just going through some beginner pieces from a book. At this time, I wasn't the only 7th grade violist. Except this person wasn't here with us for sectionals since it was the first year for her, playing the viola (she was inside the classroom while we were out). Back to my section, we were playing Can-Can. My heart races as I'm eccentric to prove to my fellow violists to never under estimate me. Although I want to be the top violist, I'm quite--actually very--disappointed when they tell me that they didn't practice over the summer. But I won't criticize them too harshly, considering that I've been playing for at least 3 more years than them. I guess it won't be much of a challenge beating these suckers--I mean...umm... scholars.

~Time Skip to when we are assigned chairs based on our recent playing test~

           It is now the month of January. By this time, the other 7th grade violist has transferred to another elective, making me the only 7th grade violist left. Before changing seats, I was originally 2nd chair, meaning that my partner is 1st. There weren't many changes. The fourth and sixth chair switched. Then the teacher said that my partner and I would switch. Afterwards, she announced that we could challenge each other (as long as the challenged is no greater than 2 chairs ahead of us) to move up. Despite gaining the position of the 1st chair, I was devastated when I couldn't challenge anyone (it was boring). Especially since no one wanted to challenge me T_T. Although my partner told me that he'd challenge me to get his chair back, it never happened. "Challenge me, " I'd tell him over and over.

"No thanks," he reply, with a grin.

"Why not?"

"Well, I'm pretty sure Mrs. Williams wouldn't want her best student to be stressed."

         I was utterly shocked and infuriated. Whenever I'd question him to why he wouldn't challenge me, he'd create unreasonable excuses. "You have to at least try," I'd persist.

"Why? So you can humiliate me?"

           All  I could do was sigh. It wasn't until he told me that he didn't practice consistently was when I had stopped asking him why he wouldn't challenge me. The way he expressed his frustration when he said that it wasn't easy. Of course I'd know it wouldn't be easy, it takes commitment to practice every day, efficiently. But that never stopped me from practicing and it shouldn't stop anyone else who is dedicated enough to practice.

       Considering this upsetting situation, I was pleasantly surprised when he stayed in during lunch to practice with me. I wanted to support him to overcome this obstacle. Either way, I practiced in the music room every day during lunch, unless I actually had something more important to do. But his presence motivated me to practice more, as well as having fun.

~In Part 2 of The One (and the Only) 7th Grade Violist~

      The District's Honor Orchestra is coming up. After over 5 months of practicing, I wonder how the audition will go. Will I be submitted? Even if I were to be accepted, what chair will I be? How many violists will there be?