Viola Performance Majors

August 15, 2011 at 11:28 PM ·

Background:

I'm just beginning 12th grade. I'm at a public high school in Santa Monica, CA (in Los Angeles) with a very strong music program. We have 6 orchestras, 6 bands, and at least 5 choirs. Our top 2 orchestras (A symphony and a Strings-only chamber orchestra, both of which I am in) have toured throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. I'm also a student in the Pre-college program at The Colburn School. I'm on about 70% scholarship, and am enrolled in a private studio (Gina Coletti), the Colburn Chamber Orchestra, and Colburn's Chamber music institute. My quartet just performed the Ravel on a live broadcast. With my teacher being the wife of Paul Coletti, who is the professor of the Colburn Conservatory, I have had many opportunites to work with him as well. I've been in the Coda and All-State orchestras, and attended the Idyllwild HS Chamberfest last summer. This past summer, I studied at the Bowdoin International Music Festival with Ralph Fielding and Carol Rodland.

Repertoire-wise, I am now working on the Walton Viola Concerto, 3rd Bach cello suite, and Schumann's Marchenbilder. I recently finished up the Stamitz D major concerto and the Bruch romanze.

I say all of this to give you an in-depth picture of where I am at right now.

Some of the teachers I'm looking into are Roger Tapping (Oh how I dream to study with him), Martha Katz, Marcus Thompson, Philip Ying, Carroll Cook, Victoria Chang, Peter Chun, Heidi Castleman, Jeff Irvine, Patricia McCarthy, Don McInnes, Hsin-Yun Huang, James Dunham, etc.

\Any input you can give on viola professors, schools known for strong viola programs, the teachers i've mentioned? I'm looking to build a list of possible schools to audition for this next year. Most of where I will likely audition depends on the outcome of this summer, but for the past week I've really gotten back into practicing (4 hours a day, average) and I'm feeling hopeful for significant progress. My teacher has mentioned some names, but I'd love to hear any words of wisdom from you guys. Please, share any info about teachers, schools, and the auditioning process.

Thank you so much!!

Sydney

Replies (4)

Corey Worley

August 15, 2011 at 11:55 PM ·

Your situation very much relates to me! I'm interested in hearing what people have to say as well!

Corey

John Rokos

December 27, 2012 at 04:23 PM · If you study the Marchenbilder, please read the Wikipedia article. The third movement is not "A storm at sea" to be played as fast as you can manage!