Daily Orchestra Program: Meet James

A few Fridays ago I sat down for a short interview with one of the violinists of the Daily Orchestra Program. James is nine years old, in the third grade, and attending Young & Woods Elementary School. He is a friendly, active, energetic young man, and I’m so thrilled that our blog readers will have this small chance to get to know him a little bit better. I hope you enjoy meeting James here. We hope to see you soon in person at our next concert!

~Lisa Barksdale

LB: So, James, you were one of our very first students in the Daily Orchestra Program, and now you’re in our second-year “Beethoven Orchestra.” What do you like about being in orchestra?

JJ: I choose to play music because it’s fun and other people are playing. It’s not like you’re the only person that plays the violin. It’s an orchestra. It’s fun meeting other people who play nice instruments that we don’t really see. (I believe he’s talking about some of our guest artists who have brought unusual or unfamiliar instruments to share with the group). It’s nice seeing people who play the violin for a lot of people, and it’s nice because other people are in the program. And because other people help me and help me. . . and sometimes I can be a little naughty and stuff (here James has a somewhat bashful look), BUT they still help me and make sure I do the songs, and if I need help on the songs they can help me.

LB: That’s so good to hear!

JJ: It’s very expire. . .expiretive?. . .expired? Wait, no not expired. . .

LB: Inspired?

JJ: Inspired! – for me because it’s fun playing all types of different music. Even though we have to work on the new music, when everyone in the orchestra and I play with other people it feels fun, and knowing that I can play all types of places when I get bigger and I can play for a lot of people – for the president! – and all kinds of places!

LB: Wow. James, I think you’ve actually answered a lot of my questions in one big sentence. Thank you! Now I want to ask what is your favorite piece of music that we’re working on right now?

JJ: Does it just have to be one?

LB: Doesn’t have to just be one I guess! I kinda want to know your most favorite.

JJ: It would probably be “The Blues” and then the second one “Goblin Cobbler.”

LB: Ah! Cool.

JJ: And I’m still learning how to play “William Tell.”

LB: And what do you like most about the violin?

JJ: I like. . . hmm. . . the sound of it. And when I play with my violin and when other people have their violin it sounds like one big violin orchestra.

LB: Okay, and this next one might be a hard question – What is your least favorite thing about the violin?

JJ: Huh. . . uh. . .putting on the sponge!

LB: Ha! Ya know, I don’t really like that part either! Wouldn’t it be easier if we didn’t have to do that sort of thing? Okay, so today is Friday. What does a usual Friday look like for you?

JJ: We make up stuff. On Fridays the whole orchestra with the “Brittens” (nickname for our first-year orchestra) come together and we can make up anything. On Mondays everyone has to be in the violin section, viola section, or cello section, but on Fridays everybody is next to other people who play violin, cello, or viola, and then when you play something and we repeat what you play it sounds very different because you’re not next to someone who plays the same instrument.

(On Fridays we branch out from our regular orchestra formation and instead form a large circle for improvisation games. We try to mix it up so that people can stand or sit next to people/instruments they normally wouldn’t sit next to.)

LB: Hmmmm. I like that about Fridays too. I think people might be interested to know what other kinds of things you like to do in your spare time?

JJ: In my spare time I probably would play Blues and then if I’m in the mood I probably would play William Tell.

LB: In your spare time you’d like to practice the violin??

JJ: Yeah.

LB: Wow! I wish all my students were like you! But what about if you can’t practice your violin or you’re not in music. What do you like to be doing?

JJ: Sports. Playing outside with my friends. I have a game but I don’t really like sitting down games. I like to get active and get outside and play!

LB: I like that too! I also hear that you’re quite a basketball fan.

JJ: Yes.

LB: I’m not a basketball player, but I have a question I’ve always wanted to ask – I’ve always wondered how the basketball players are able to get the ball in the basket no matter where they are on the court? I’ve never been able to do that. How do you think they learn how to do that?

JJ: A lot of practice! And. . . when I get bigger and I’m in college I want to play the violin and basketball!

LB: Okay! And our very last question – if you could describe yourself using one word what word would that be?

JJ: Happy!