Since September this year I've been coaching the first violin section of Young Artists Philharmonic in Stamford, CT. That was my dream job since I moved to this area. I simply enjoy coaching orchestra sectionals. The YAP is mostly high schoolers and one of my private students plays in it. She was the concertmaster of the younger group, Young People's Symphony (the same organization) last year and after the seating audition for this season she won the principal second violin chair.
Anyway, I worked with the first violin section for a concert on October 26. The repertoire was pretty ambitious (which is great for this age group); Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture and Beethoven Symphony 5. But the students were very excited to play those masterworks and it was so rewarding to work with this group. I coached four sectionals and sat in all ensemble rehearsals, giving them advices. We had fun, I like working with teenagers closely (I like to try to connect with them) and I hope the students learned a lot in the eight weeks we worked together.
The most interesting thing was that most of the help they needed were about their bow use, where in the bow and how much bow they should play, and setting bow on a string before playing. That made me realize that many violinist, including myself, focus a lot on the left hand technique but the right hand (the bow hand!) is even more important, especially when it comes to orchestral playing.
So, here is my secret weapon... frog stickers! To remind kids play at the "frog" of the bow (near the bow grip, to play strong), I use those. I also have "tip" stickers (money stickers) for the opposite reminder.
Anyway, I worked with the first violin section for a concert on October 26. The repertoire was pretty ambitious (which is great for this age group); Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture and Beethoven Symphony 5. But the students were very excited to play those masterworks and it was so rewarding to work with this group. I coached four sectionals and sat in all ensemble rehearsals, giving them advices. We had fun, I like working with teenagers closely (I like to try to connect with them) and I hope the students learned a lot in the eight weeks we worked together.
The most interesting thing was that most of the help they needed were about their bow use, where in the bow and how much bow they should play, and setting bow on a string before playing. That made me realize that many violinist, including myself, focus a lot on the left hand technique but the right hand (the bow hand!) is even more important, especially when it comes to orchestral playing.
So, here is my secret weapon... frog stickers! To remind kids play at the "frog" of the bow (near the bow grip, to play strong), I use those. I also have "tip" stickers (money stickers) for the opposite reminder.
To celebrate the opening of the 55th season, the orchestra performed at the Italian Center where the organization formed 55 years ago. I'm just proud of the orchestra, their devotion and the outcome was incredible. I hope that the orchestra gets more attention locally and have even more students to join.
