My Wondrous Life as a Violist

My 7th Grade Year Playing the Viola (Part 2)

             After about 5 months of practicing the 3 pieces for the District Honor Orchestra, I have to get approved by my music teacher to get in and record an excerpt to decide which chair I will be placed in (if I even make it, of course).  The pieces that would be performed are, "Carpe Diem!" by Richard Meyer, "Lion City" by Soon Hee Newbold, and "Clinch Mountain Backstep" arranged by Larry Moore. During lunch, I asked my teacher for some help with Lion City to make sure that I'd get accepted. Unbeknownst to me, my teacher had already signed me up. Now, it was just the recording part to complete.

~After school~

           I was practicing the excerpts outside of the music room while the 8th grade concert master (from my school's orchestra) was inside, finishing up his recording. We were the only students from our school who were willing to try participating in the Honor Orchestra.  After he was done, it was now my turn. This is how it went...

"Hello, my name is (my name), a student from (my school). I will be performing the the viola part for the GGUSD Honor Orchestra." My teacher stops me.

"Remember to include year (2017) and that you are performing for the Intermediate Honor Orchestra since there's also the Elementary and High School." So for the next 6 (or more) recordings, I tried to include every detail for my introduction AND play the excerpts with a smooth tone, written dynamics, clean intonation, ect. Eventually, I finished.

~1 Week Later~

          As always, I was in the music room during lunch, practicing. "Mrs._____, do you know what chair I was placed in, yet?"

"Yes. You got first chair!"

"What?! I was utterly shocked. I honestly thought I'd be the fourth or sixth chair. "Wait, how many violists are there?"

"Four."

"What? I expected for there to be more." My excitement instantaneously diminished.

"It's still an achievement."

"Okay, then." I was disappointed that there weren't more violists. Oh well, there was nothing I could do about it. Ever since that day, I still continued to practice. I was ecstatic to perform with students who actually practice consistently and play decently.

~The Way to My 1st Honor Orchestra Rehearsal!~

         It was a Tuesday. Regularly, school would end at 2:10PM, but I'd stay for at least an hour to either do my homework or help a teacher (often with my friends--yeah that's right, I have friends...). Since rehearsals would last for 2 hours, I tried to finish my homework after school. The rehearsals started at 3:30PM at another Intermediate school. I left my school at 3:11PM.  When we finally arrived at the other school's parking lot, my grandpa (who was driving me) exited... when he could've parked RIGHT THERE!!! I was exasperated. The school where the rehearsals were held at was so disoriented; so many minutes were wasted because we couldn't make a U-turn. I arrived in the back of the school (where the parking lot was) at 3:30PM... I ran straight for where the lunch tables were, where the students and staff from Boys & Girls Club sat. After approximately 5 minutes, I still didn't know where the MPR was. There was a huge building, with multiply classrooms placed in all different directions. I was freaking out! That was when I chose to finally make my way into the large structure. I then saw loads of cases on the floor and the orchestra already set up. My music teacher came up to me and told me to unpack and then pointed where my seat was. My feelings were so mixed up at this moment.

~Rehearsing~

           After the dress code, rules, and such were established, another teacher from an intermediate school came up to conduct for, "Carpe Diem!" If you heard this piece, you'd know that it begins with this exciting, grand entrance for the 1st Violins. Before this unforgettable moment, I've been constantly listening to the audio. To hear this magnificent piece be played (by students who are actually spectacular at playing their instrument) live, is breathtaking. This was one of those rare times when I'd feel blessed for hearing such a work of art. My heart raced as heard the different instruments play their part, majestically. When the Concert master played his solo, I was astonished at his incredible, clean tone, intonation, ect. Anyways, there was a different intermediate school music teacher for each piece.

         We moved on to Lion City. I LOVED it; it was truly unbelievable. Once again, my ears have been blessed with the wondrous sounds of dedication. There was the rain stick (which was used by the last chairs of the 1st violins) to add a cool element, as the rest of us played. That was when I thought, Wait a minute, that's the same person who got into the top 10 in the District Spelling Bee! Anyways, witnessing the cellists and violists playing the deep, low-sounding yet epic parts... (I've ran out of words). Additionally, numerous students played with vibrato (I didn't know how to use it correctly, at this time). So I was in awe.

        Last came Clinch Mountain Backstep, which included some percussionists (from a high school I forgot the name of). I learned so much from this rehearsal; I can't wait to come back tomorrow. It was very intriguing to listening to other fellow musicians (wah, I'm cringing from this cheesy story about commitment). Rehearsal ended at 5:30PM. My arms and fingers were sore. I also didn't finish my homework yet...

A/N: With this author's note, this story now has over 900 words! It's 2:35AM (edit: 2:53, after revising)!!!! T _ T I need my sleep. I hope this experience wasn't too boring. My parents are gonna kill me when if they ever saw me staying up this late. *sigh*