Name: Kevin Xu

Grade: sophomore

Fine Art: orchestra

Years of experience: five years

Wingspan: What inspired you to take on orchestra as a fine art?

Xu: “It started because I had to take an elective in middle school, so I chose it to join some of my friends. Later on I realized I enjoyed it a lot and was also pretty good so I decided to continue on with it.”

Wingspan: What does orchestra mean for you?
Xu: “Orchestra is a really big part of my life that kind of gives me goals to strive toward and improve for. I also really enjoy it because it’s a great way to make friends and meet new amazing peers and teachers by rehearsing together.”

Wingspan: How often do you practice?
Xu: “It depends on if I have an important audition like region or state coming up. For instance, if I have region or state coming up I may do 2-3 hours per day, but if I don’t have anything really important I just do around 1 hour.”

Wingspan: Has there ever come a time where playing frustrated you?

Xu: “Yeah, a few times. If I don’t get a good result or get into a good orchestra, it just feels really frustrating because all my hard work was for nothing. Also, sometimes in practice if there’s a really hard passage and I have to keep repeating it gets frustrating.”

Wingspan: So, what helped you calm down during these times?
Xu: “Some things I did to calm down was just taking a break, going outside, or just sleeping.”

Wingspan: What has been one of your proudest moments? 

Xu: “Some of my proudest moments were making fifth in region and state as a freshman, and one I’m especially proud of is making second in region this year as a sophomore. Another thing I’m proud of was our Liberty Orchestra’s UIL performance last year, I feel like we played really well.”

Wingspan: Where do you see yourself with your instrument in the future?
Xu: “For the future, I would like to continue violin as a minor in college and hopefully use it to get some scholarships.”