Why viola?

Though many of you have heard the story I'm sure, I feel compelled to fully explain why I chose the viola. I cannot confirm the validity of this story since I don't remember this particular day, but my Granddad loves to depict the scene in this way.

Scene: Marie, Dad and Granddad in a gymnasium full of 4th graders trying to pick out what instrument they will play next year in orchestra.

Marie: Granddad, I want to play the viola.

Granddad: Why's that, Marie?

Marie: Because I like the way it sounds.

Granddad: (a little impressed that his granddaughter even knows what the viola is) Oh really?! When have you heard a viola?

Marie: No, I mean, I like the way it sounds- veeohlaaaa

(*insert cheesy sound here*)

So yes, maybe it's true, and that is why I chose viola. But now, looking back on it, I realize what a wonderful decision it was. Though these are not necessarily viola-specific, here are a few more reasons why I love playing viola....

(in no particular order)

1. No plane ticket.

Ever sat next to a tuba or cello on a plane? Well let me tell you, I'm glad I don't have to pay double airfare every time I have to go somewhere.

2. No E string.

Ever heard an E string squeak? Not the nicest sound ever.

3. Less competition.

It's true, I admit.

4. More eighth notes, fewer sixteenths.

Some people might find repeated eighth notes boring in orchestra parts. I relish in them as I watch the violinists' eyes bulge when they try to read all the notes on the page.

5. More gigs.

Chamber groups are always in need of a lovely violist!

6. Alto clef.

Yeah, we have our own clef. And it rocks.

7. Viola jokes.

Why was the violist wandering outside? Because he couldn't find the key and didn't know where to come in!

8. A permanent excuse.

I'm a violist. What's your excuse?

9. Great way to start a conversation.

"What instrument is that?"- "It's a viola"- "What's a viola?"

10. A great sound.

Besides the way the word sounds, the viola played actually can sound quite nice :)

Love,

Violamad

To miss

WEll, despite the fact that I'm living in the most amazing city in the United States, the time where I start to miss things was bound to come. But while I started thinking about the things that I miss most, my curious crazy little mind lead me to look up the actual definition of the verb "to miss". Thus said, I here will now define ALL the dictionary.com meanings of the verb "to miss" with examples from my own life. Dang, quite an intro- let's begin!

Miss

-verb (used with object)

1. To fail to hit or strike;

-When trying to learn how to hit the ping pong ball with a back-spin, I often miss the ball entirely.

2. to fail to encounter, meet, catch, etc...;

-Too often I'm not paying attention when I get on the elevator and forget to push the button and miss my floor!

3. to fail to take advantage of;

-Because I am so busy, I missed the chance to be an extra in a small movie being filmed. Oh well...more opportunities to come?

4. to fail to be present at or for;

-I have yet to miss any classes! (because of Juilliard's strict attendance policy and small classes where my absence would be easily noted)

5. to notice the absence or loss of;

-Every time I go into the laundry room I see some socks that are missing their partner!

6. to regret the absence or loss of;

-I miss many things about home:

• Family and friends: Mommy, Daddy, aunts, uncles, cousins, Joan, Annie and Faith!
• Food: Mom's cooking, Tex-Mex(!!!), Freebirds, Panera, Brooklyn Cafe bagels, Blue Bell
• Stores: HEB, Target, Aaron Brothers, Walmart!
• Random: private restrooms, Ecclesia, driving a car, pine trees, carpeted stairs, the couch in the gameroom, fresh air, solitude.

7. to escape or avoid;

-Fortunately, I have managed to miss meeting all the "cold" people at Juilliard. Everyone I know is absolutely wonderful :)

8. to fail to perceive or understand;

-When I open my New Harvard dictionary of music to read up on "polyphony" before our theory test, I feel like I am missing 90% of what I'm reading when I start to see things like "isorhythmic motet" and "ouvert-clos rhyme schemes" (which I should maybe know about...?)

Well, I guess now you have a pretty good idea about the verb "to miss".

Did I miss anything?

;)

Love,

Violamad

Sunsets

Well I guess the title says it all. I'm writing about sunsets, and if you have seen any of my recent picture uploads on Facebook, you probably already know that they have become my new obsession.

I just can't get over what a beautiful view I have from my tiny little room. It's perfect. To the left I can see the Lincoln Center with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet and Avery Fisher Hall (New York Philharmonic) buildings. To the right I see the Hudson River and there is a perfect open spot between buildings where the sun sets. I've now made a point of trying to be in my room around 6 pm just so I can enjoy this beautiful scene as much as possible.

I was finally inspired to write about this last night when the sunset was so extraordinary I made a point of asking everybody that evening if they had seen it. I happened to be in my room needing to do a little reading before I went to dinner and a peek through the window told me it was the right time. So I pulled back the shutters, put on my sunglasses, hopped up on the windowsill and just sat and read, only to pull away my eyes from the page every minute to take in the scene (and of course take a few pictures) It was definitely one of the most wonderful moments I have ever experienced. How great is our God!

My point?

Where are you when the sun sets each day? Have you taken the time recently to just step outside and watch the color of the sky change? Or simply looked out the window to relish in nature's beauty?

Try it. I think you'll find yourself feeling quite refreshed.

:)