Ever since the beginning of middle school, I have always been an orchestra kid. I started on viola, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I do not care for slow orchestral songs at all. For example, a song I hated was Åse’s Death during my time in high school. I’d prefer fast, vibrant pieces that would engage the audience. For example, Declarations, Eclipse, and Warrior Legacy are my favorites.
So, I have done viola for seven years, violin for two years, and a little bit of piano. My family has been invested in music since I can even remember. I love the songs that my siblings get to sing in the car on road trips and karaoke to Disney songs. I could’ve wished I had done choir, but my orchestra teacher, Mrs. Kathy Liticker, made an impact on me. Touching my viola for the first time, I fell in love with it. I love the song choices Mrs. Liticker always picked for her orchestra kids. One song that I can remember playing in middle school is Dona Nobis Pacem. That song made me fall in love with my orchestra even more.
Then, I got to high school, and I wouldn’t expect it to be so different for me. I remember I got my schedule for my classes. I got into the varsity orchestra in my first year of high school. I was thinking, “why am I in varsity orchestra if I was a freshman? I guess I saw the true potential I had. I saw the hard work I put in, even in middle school. Thank you, Liticker.” It felt weird being in the varsity orchestra. Then, some friends I knew that were a grade above me welcomed me with open arms. Especially the viola section was so happy they saw another viola player. The viola section was all girls, and I was the only boy in that section.
Also, I was shocked that my friends, who were also first-year students, saw that I was on varsity. Honestly, seeing that was weird, but it brought light to me that made me a better musician.
All of my friends were shocked that I was in the varsity orchestra. Mrs. Liticker asked me to be in a quartet in the junior varsity. A viola player was not eligible to play for solo and ensemble, so Mrs. Liticker asked me to practice with the quartet. I walked into the band room and had my viola case with me when I came in.
Then, I was sitting at the piano bench in the band room and was waiting for instructions from Mrs. Liticker. I sat quietly and saw a group of boys talking and other people unpacking. A friend of mine, Jason, came up to me, sat next to me, and gave me a side hug. We had a conversation, and he asked, “what are you doing here?” I said, “I am playing for the string quartet for solo and ensemble.” I was technically supposed to be in my Computer Applications one class, but the teacher for the class called Mrs. Liticker to see if everything was good. That was a good time when I remembered being in the varsity orchestra.