March 25, 2006 at 8:01 PM

I thought it might be a good idea to be in a quartet, so I asked my friend who plays viola and my other friend who plays cello if they would want to be in a quartet. They both wanted to form a quartet with me, so we set off to find a second violinist. We found one, and she came to the first rehersal, and about a week after the rehersal, said she was too busy to be in a quartet. We recently found someone else who is willing to play second violin, and I hope she can stay after school one day this week and reherse.

My friends and I are learning Haydn's "Sunrise" Quartet in B flat major (No. 4, Op. 76 according to the public domain), Mozart Quartet No. 18, K.464, and we were looking for a quartet from the romantic period.

I like classical quartets because they aren't technically difficult, but they take a certain understanding of phrasing to play. However, if we only play classical music, then we'll get bored out of our minds, so my viola friend proposed we play a Brahms quartet.

Obviously, a Brahms quartet is too difficult to play for your average high schoolers.

So, I looked at a mendelssohn quartet. I actually looked at two. I like the quartet in E flat major, Op. 12. I could sight read the first movement, but we'll have to see how it works as a quartet. Luckily, my viola friend likes the same mendelssohn quartet. My cello friend likes the other mendelssohn quartet that we looked at (I think it is in f minor?).

I am thinking about joining a music program this summer called Franklin Pond Chamber Music. The only problem is that it has an $1,100 tuition fee if I make it.

I butchered my Governor's Honors Program audition. I ended up waiting outside the audition room in a really long line for awhile and by the time I finally auditioned, I was cold.

I also might participate in UGA's summer camp, but I know if I do, I'll probably be concertmaster of the top orchestra. I was concertmaster at UGA's high school festival last fall during the school year. I wouldn't really be going to the camp this summer to participate in the orchestra. I would be going so that I could get some lessons with Dr. Ambartsumian and meet him again. Of course, I might have lessons with one of the other violin professors if I go.

This brings up the question of college. I am a junior, afterall, and auditions are a little less than a year away. I'll definitely audition for UGA, just because I know I can get in there, and it is affordable. I'm also looking at FSU. My teacher got his bachelors from FSU, I believe, and he highly suggests one of the violin teachers there. I also might consider auditioning for a conservatory. However, that depends on what work I get done this year.

I'm also going to audition for the Atlanta Symphony Youth orchestra. I should have auditioned last year, but I didn't. After seeing some of the people in the ASYO at the Georgia All-State orchestra, I think I can at least get into the back of the section if I have an okay audition. If I have a great audition, then I might be able to get into the middle of one of the violin sections.

From Colleen R
Posted on March 25, 2006 at 9:19 PM

I hope your quartet works out! They are always fun :)

From Jasmine Lewis
Posted on March 25, 2006 at 11:45 PM

GOOD LUCK!!!

From Donna Clegg
Posted on March 26, 2006 at 6:58 PM

Hi Charlie. Go for the Franklin Pond experience if you can. I read about it in the AJC some time ago and it sounds marvelous. I can't imagine being your age and having that opportunity available to me. You can always busk or hold some car washes to raise the $$. Good luck with your quartet and the ASYO audition. I attend the ASYO concerts some times so, I will be loooking for your name in the program next year!

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March 25, 2006 at 8:01 PM

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