First Chair

Well, after all the fretting, practicing, anxiety and anticipation, the audtion finally happened yesterday evening. I was the 2nd of two violists to go in "the room" and by then (the four violinists had already gone in, trying for concertmaster and associated concermaster positions) I was stressed out. I worked on my best "calm" thinking and felt confident in my preparation.

Then when I was called in, and started to play, my heart raced like crazy! I suppose it was a true testament to the practicing I had done in that I was able to maintain an even tempo and fairly decent tone quality for the Bach (Allemende from Cello Suite #3). And once I was into the orchestral excerpts, my heart rate started coming down. I had forgotten what true stage fright felt like! But again, preparation saved me.

About 15 minutes after I played, they announced the results and I was given the principal position! So now begins the process of providing bowings and other direction to the viola section. And it appears we'll have a great section this year with something like 10 or perhaps 12 violas! Should be a fun season with lots of great music, such as the Bruch concerto with Lenoard Felberg as the soloist, Beethoven's 7th Symphony, Mahler's 1st Symphony, and plenty of other great material. If you're in the Albuquerque area, come and see the concerts!