New Year - New Connections

January 8, 2009 at 6:33 AM

My quartet had some devastating news last week. Not only were we losing our 1st violinists (which we knew about ahead of time - new baby on the way), but we also lost our 2nd violinist due to work obligations. This hit the cellist and I with a hard blow. How were we going to keep our weekly quartet nights with just a viola and cello ?!?!

We already had one new violinist lined up (through the local community orchestras network) after we learned of our 1st violinist's happy news several weeks ago. But now - where to find another violinist in short order?!?!?! Oh yeah!!! This is a violin site! Sometimes I forget that little bit, I mean, violas rule the world - right????

It turns out that one member here recently sent me a message asking about the HSO concerto competition. That lead to a small recruiting effort on my part. And Viola! We have ourselves the other violinist within a day! Weather and schedules permitting, we will be reconvening next week with two new members.

Laurie - I must thank you for having this site to connect us all together!

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on January 8, 2009 at 8:35 PM

I'm glad you found another violinist for your quartet. My quartet that I blogged about in November hasn't gotten off the ground yet due to various scheduling issues, commitments, and car trouble on the part of one of the violinists (not me, in this case, believe it or not). But the cellist found another violinist so we will hopefully be getting started soon!

Congratulations to your friend on her baby!

From Laurie Niles
Posted on January 8, 2009 at 10:53 PM

You are very welcome! I love hearing stories like that. I'm waiting for the day when someone says, "Yes, we got married, and we met on V.com!" LOL

BTW, if you are looking for something off the beaten trail, I noticed when I wrote about him that Mark O'Connor has some great pieces for cello, viola and violin, check it out

From Mendy Smith
Posted on January 9, 2009 at 7:46 AM

Laurie -

I haven't met my love on v-com yet, unless you count just a love for music!

I checked out Mr. O'Conner's link you provided and saw a few arrangements that would be fun for my quartet or a trio. I also noticed that there are several orchestral arrangements that my CO may be interested in. I forwarded this to our conductor. Several months ago we were lamenting that Appalachia Spring was no longer readily available. I saw an exellent alternative on his site that would fit very nicely into a program we are concocting.

Until then, I need to practice "Molly on the Shore"... mm 132 at cut-time! Ouch!!!!

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