I am part of the Inland Valley Youth Orchestra since sixth grade. While being in the orchestra is great I learned more techniques right now than I did before from when I was in sixth grade. For example, when I first started playing violin in fourth grade I barely learned how to play notes on first position, but now I use first position, second position, third position, etc. and all the way to seventh position and higher. Since my first time picking up the violin I have grown at an immense rate from learning pizzicato and first time using the bow to using higher positions, artificial-harmonics, vibrato, trills, producing clearer tones and changing violin bows to match different sounds.At my first orchestra rehearsal in sixth grade I have grown in techniques of sight reading classical pieces nearly perfect, counting syncopated rhythms, learning styles of different composers, to plain old fashioned bow direction which is severely important. The Inland Valley Youth Orchestra has taught me a lot about how to lead or follow in a group through chamber music which we play every January or February. Also to follow up on that through chamber music you learn to hear one another and learn that a just 1/4 to 1/2 a beat off could mess the whole group up. Also in chamber music you learn how different parts have important roles and in the piece/movement there are parts that shine for a moment and it gets passed along. For example, if you were playing a minuet in a trio you would know that sometimes the second violin would get an important part and then the first violin would get an important part which is shared in the entire piece. Also the person who has the beginning note will lead the piece in the beginning. In March, when I was still in sixth grade I had private lessons for violin these lessons helped me improve on vibrato, higher positions, bow technique and somewhat posture because it is important. The reason why it is important is because a stringed instrument normally has f holes which project sound. As time progresses you get better at orchestral repertoire to chamber repertoire all the way to solo repertoire. As a soloist you get to express feeling and compassion towards a piece and show emotion along with adding vibrato to longer tenuto notes and add elegant trills. Also as a soloist if their is a staccato line play it very dry staccato if it matches the piece. For example, in the concerto in a minor (minore) by Vivaldi movement 1 even though it is fast paced you can still add vibrato and also short staccato notes if it is necessary. In seventh grade, I was still in the orchestra and I was the first chair of the second violins, but in spring I got to play a solo entitled Concerto in A minor by Vivaldi and I played movement 1. When doing solos you normally have to memorize the whole thing especially if it is a concerto. By the end of seventh grade I started looking up solo pieces and started to play them. As I got used to it, I will play more and more of them until I need a serious break. In the beginning of eighth grade, I was the concertmaster of the orchestra ( meaning I was a first violin ). It was taxing and challenging but I managed through it. Also did I mention that our orchestra has to play with the Community Orchestra! The Community Orchestra repertoire was pretty challenging but one of the easiest pieces were the Waltz of the Flowers and Jupiter from Mozart. Overall I thank the Inland Valley Youth Orchestra and the orchestra conductor Ms. Ancheta because she has taught me a lot about music. | |