Arpeggione Course: Amelia aged 14

Thank you to JARGAR and JDCMF for giving me the bursary that enabled me to go on the
Arpeggione course at Easter. I am incredibly grateful as it was really beneficial for my viola
playing.
I had an amazing time when I was there and especially loved the small chamber music groups as
well as the concerts which were given to us by different teachers. In my chamber music group
we played Berceuse by Frank Bridge (arranged for 5 violas) and it was a really lovely piece. I
learnt a lot about how to communicate in the group so that the music sounds like one person and
that it is so important to listen to everyone so you know where the melody is and what dynamic
you should be playing at. There is a change in tempo in the piece and we spent some time
working on making sure we are all aware of that change and are following the person leading it.
This really helped me and the group to combine our individual parts into one piece of music.

I also did a master class which really helped me improve one of the pieces I am learning, There
were lots of chords in this piece and we worked on my bow hold to make it easier to play and the
sound nicer. We also did a jazz piece (which is something I haven't really done before). We
learnt how to improvise and what notes we should use. I found that really fun and interesting.

Overall Arpeggione was an amazing experience and I loved working on my viola and chamber
music skills. I felt that I learnt a lot and improved by the end of the course.
Thank you very much
Amelia (14)