by Vanessa Gaidoni - Christmas 2019 Are you getting in the mood for some Christmas music?! Here is an arrangement for 4 violas of Torelli's wonderful Christmas Concerto, Op.8, No. 6 in G Minor. I have transposed it down a 5th into C minor so it sits comfortably on the viola. Do add in... Continue Reading →
D'Addario Ascenté Competition Your chance to win a free set of D’Addario Orchestral viola strings - any range! Just enter the competition . – it is really easy! Here is the link to enter https://daddario.formstack.com/forms/daddariobvscompetition Three winners will be chosen after the competition closes on 30th November 2019.
Violist Matthew Jones, Head of Chamber Music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, gives help and advice on how to prepare for an audition, and what you can expect on the day. We are very grateful to Matthew for sharing his knowledge and expertise! It does not seem long ago that I was... Continue Reading →
"Keep Life Sweet"Sarah Graham Do you have a new piece to learn? Swiss artist Paul Klee (1879-1940) said about the word 'line' "A line is a dot that went for a walk." As musicians we are always taking dots for a walk, and lifting them right off the page! Learning a new piece can be... Continue Reading →
Many thanks to Professional Performance Coach Amy Littlewood for sharing some great advice on what to do if you are feeling nervous about an upcoming performance, audition or exam. Feeling worried about performing? If you feel nervous about performing do not worry, you are not alone. There are so many people that have these... Continue Reading →
A huge thank you to Martin Outram, viola soloist and violist of the Maggini Quartet, for this contribution to our British Viola Society Young Violists page. Click on the links to listen to some beautifully played viola music, written by Vaughan Williams. Vaughan Williams and the viola: a short introduction Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) took up the... Continue Reading →
Here is a viola arrangement of a Rondeau written by Marin Marais (31 May 1656 – 15 August 1728) a French composer and celebrated virtuoso of the viola da gamba. Click Here for free score and parts - Rondeau - Marais - 3 violas Listen to it being performed on original instruments... https://youtu.be/l09Xc0gxnqo The markings are as close to... Continue Reading →
The secret to surviving revision is GOOD MUSIC! Here is a small selection, with no lyrics to distract you. Do you have any suggestions or any music that works well for you? Tell us and we will add it to the playlist. Before you know it....... they will all be over and you can spend the... Continue Reading →
For outstanding young musicians age 14 - 19 The Opera North Orchestra Academy summer residential course provides a world-class orchestral training experience with the Orchestra of Opera North in an inspirational and supportive environment. While meeting like-minded young musicians you will take your performance skills to the next level and be a part of thrilling... Continue Reading →
A big thank you to Matthew Jones, for sharing some of his warm-up exercises. Matthew is Senior Tutor of String Chamber Music and Professor of Viola at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and director of the Pro Corda International Chamber Music Academy Intermediate Course. Selected Yoga exercises and warm-ups for Violists... Continue Reading →
This piece comes with a bit of a health warning - it can get addictive! FREE SHEET MUSIC - Click Here I arranged Pedal Exercitium for Ella, one of my wonderful viola pupils who also plays the organ. It has proved to be popular amongst many of my other pupils too, so I am sharing... Continue Reading →
Many thanks to Ross Cohen for supplying us with a quiz or two to get the year off to a good start. Quiz No. 1 - violarama 2015 quiz (questions) Quiz No. 2 - rcc_sample_exam_paper Ross Cohen Article - violarama 2011 review Absolute Zero Viola Quartet - Check out their website, lots of fun to be had... Continue Reading →
