Name: Sahana Sethuraman
Grade: 11
Instrument: violin
Wingspan: Why did you choose to be in orchestra?
Sethuraman: “Well, we had to choose an elective for middle school and I didn’t want to do anything else – I didn’t want to do band or art or theater or choir. And I always liked string instruments, so I decided to take orchestra and it was really fun, so I stayed in it.”
Wingspan: How did you end up playing the violin?
Sethuraman: “I originally wanted to play the cello, but we kinda procrastinated renting a cello. So, on the first day of school, I brought one of my old violins that I had in my house from playing Carnatic music and the teachers made a schedule change and I stuck with it.”
Wingspan: What is your favorite piece to play and why?
Sethuraman: “I don’t really have a favorite piece but I like playing slower music because I like how it sounds and it allows me to showcase a variety of dynamics and techniques.”
Wingspan: What is your favorite part of orchestra and what is one of your favorite memories?
Sethuraman: “I really like making music with my peers and going to socials and events that the directors organize. Memories? Oh, in freshman year, we went to the Dallas Symphony and it was really cool to see a real symphony and spend time with my friends and also, the music was great. I also enjoy every year when we have winter socials and we do White Elephant and we play games. In my freshman year, I got 12 little mason jars that I still have in my room. Concerts are also really fun because I get to see what other orchestras are doing and how they sound. Oh, okay, Winter Extravaganza was also really fun because we got to play as a full orchestra with the band and one of our pieces had like a bagpipe solo, so that was really cool too.”
Wingspan: What is your favorite part about playing the violin?
Sethuraman: “It’s really satisfying when something that you’ve practiced for a long time turns out good and just playing it makes, it’s like when I practice, I don’t think about anything else and it’s a nice way to decompress.”
Wingspan: What is the most challenging part about orchestra and playing the violin?
Sethuraman: “Um, some of the pieces that we play can be fast and difficult and it takes time to try and learn the notes and play it clearly and quickly and to stay in time. And then the violin is really technical and I don’t know many techniques, so just learning that. Just learning different ways to play and bowing can be difficult at times.”
