PLAY PARTY!

I played viola in school orchestras from third to eleventh grade, but I was always last stand. During my school years I only took viola lessons for a few summers because it was hard to find a teacher who would stick with it. I always felt that most of the orchestra members were so much better than me. Well, that is probably because they had had years of lessons and practicing. I always wanted to become better, so a little over two and a half years ago I bought a viola on e-bay for sixty dollars plus the cost of repairs and new strings. I found a wonderful viola teacher, Marcia Bramble, who has actually stuck with me for almost two and a half years. She is a former member of the Utah Symphony and a current member of the Orchestra on Temple Square. I have learned so much that I did not know before! In high school I could only play in first position. I now know up to seventh position. I am even doing exercises to learn vibrato. I am playing from the Suzuki viola books among other things. Currently there are eight books in the Suzuki series. Marcia has me memorize the songs in the Suzuki books. When you finish all the songs in a Suzuki book you get to have a play party which is kind of like a recital. The rule is you have to invite at least one person. I get nervous easily, so I have only invited my mom. By the way, she used to play the viola as well. We just go to my teachers house and I play my songs with my teacher accompanying me on the piano or viola. I had my play party for book one in October of 2007 and I just had my play party for book two two days ago on Wednesday night, April 1. The best part about play parties is I get to bring my favorite dessert, cheesecake! I am so glad to be taking lessons and I am learning so much all the time! It is not always easy to practice, but my goal is to finish all eight Suzuki books in my lifetime! Wish me luck! Here is a picture of me practicing my viola.