Why 'Active Violin' ?

Hello There! I thought I might take this opportunity to explain how and why I came up with the handle ActiveViolinist (if you follow me on social media) and www.activeviolinist.com as my website address. Seems weird right? 

First off, why don't I just use my name? Hannah Murray is so simple and straightforward!...and unfortunately very very taken by a super famous British Actress, a highly sought after make up artist, and an amateur Romance novelist. Clearly the name is a winner but in a Google search a violinist is pretty much the last topic to show up when competing with such hot items as new eye shadow trends, Game of Thrones (yes the actress Hannah Murray is THAT famous), and steamy love scenes. So I thought hard about what I am all about and came up with The Active Violinist.

But why Active Violinist? Why not Redhead, or Midwestern, or Book Nerd, or (fill in the blank) Violinist? 

Active is a great word. It applies to the vast majority of my life (excluding the pre-coffee part of the day) and has a multi faceted connotation. Not to mention a really great ring to it. 

I am.....

Actively Active 

....like really active. Like train for half marathons, and dabble in triathlons, and (once upon a time) Full marathons kind of active. You know - Run crazy 200-mile relay race active. Take part in Yoga challenges active. Commit to Amanda Bisk's 12-week Fresh Body Fit Mind challenge type of active. I like to move my body. I like to push my limits. I like to use physical activity to harness my mental capacity and vice versa. Being Physically Active is one guaranteed way to feel good. Maybe not during, but definitely afterwards your body says a big huge THANK YOU! I encourage all of my students to participate in sports, dance, take yoga, swim, ride their bike, and do something regularly that is physical. A healthy body is a must for violin playing. I absolutely believe that.

Actively Healthy 

I am actively aware of my physical health and well being. I care what I eat and where it came from. Don't get me wrong - I (actively) indulge as well. But keeping a well maintained machine, aka your body is essential to pursuing ones interests, championing life's challenges and bettering yourself both professionally and personally. Do not turn a blind eye to the quality of nutrients you fuel your body and mind with. Actively pursue your own health! Beware of fancy fixes and short term success - I mean this in terms of physical health and also as it applies to playing the violin. Commit yourself to an active, healthy lifestyle.

An Active Performer

I am an active performer. I play in just about every regional orchestra possible, as a chamber musician, and as a recitalist. It is important to stay active professionally. I do my best to create and carve out performance opportunities in as many contexts as possible. Not only does it keep me busy, it also provides opportunities to (actively) learn new repertoire, collaborate with others and travel. I love that my profession takes me all across the country - and maybe one day the world - as an active interpreter of music. How cool is that?!

An Active Teacher

I am an active teacher. I teach everywhere I can. I teach anyone, and everyone who shows a commitment to learning and musical growth. I teach every day of the week. I use my body physically as a teaching tool to make musical phrases clear, to articulate technical points, and to motivate students to move out of their comfort zone. As Itzhak Perlman recently posted (on Facebook) "When I teach others I teach myself" - this could not be more true! Being an active teacher means I am also an active student.

An Active Student

I am an active learner. I am that person who Is always ordering new books. Who is always saying 'did you know....' to my colleagues when I learn something new (usually from my newest book or a podcast). I sign up for reading challenges, I keep my college textbooks, I actually enjoy lectures and going to classes and workshops. I find myself  actively pursuing education in a diverse range of topics and fields. There is so much to learn - why stop when school is out? 

An Active listener 

I am an active listener. I actively pay attention. That means that there is always something tinkering around in my headphones- from Rihanna to Respighi, Sibelius to Sigur Ros, Y music to Yiddish Folk tunes, podcasts to Prokofiev, octets, orchestral, chamber, contemporary....you name it and I dabble in it. Music exists on a continuum. We are fortunate to have access in some capacity to music of all genres, from all eras and a diverse array of performers. Why not create a literally timeless playlist for your life? Music of the present can influence what you like about the past and vice versa. But you will never know if you don't actively seek it out.

Socially Active

I am socially active. As in, I have friends, and a support system in my life. It is important to get out of the practice room or rehearsal space and interact with people. You never know who you will meet! Stay active in your community! It is the best way to infuse neighborhoods, schools, friends, society, and people with music. Infuse your community with music and it becomes second nature to explore and get involved.  

An Active Writer

I am an active writer. Okay, maybe this one is a stretch but I'm hoping this blog will really turn into something I pursue more actively. Right now I'm more of a 'wannabe' active writer with lots of thoughts whirring around in my head and not nearly enough time to write them all down!

Did I miss anything? Probably! If you had to sum yourself up in one or two words what would they be? What is the theme or the themes of your life? Any tips and lessons to share on life? On being a musician? On working towards goals? Leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

Art! and Music! and Collaboration! and Gratitude!

Sometimes you go to work as a performer and forget that people are watching you. You get so comfortable on stage, as part of an ensemble, wearing black, existing in front of an audience, and going through the motions of performing that you become a little desensitized to the crowd of patrons watching the event. 

A few months ago this turned on me in the most delightful way!

In March 2015 I was in Siloam Springs to perform with SoNA on the campus of John Brown University. We were performing a beautiful, yet demanding program that included Respighi's Pines of Rome and La Mer by Debussy. I was stressed out! My final Doctoral recital was just over a month away and I was totally distracted by the preparation needed for that. I was spending every spare moment I had trying to cram for that performance. I barely noticed when I stepped on and off stage for orchestra concerts. SoNA had just performed in Fayetteville the night before and I drove to our matinee performance early in order to practice backstage. I was the only one there for at least an hour and was frantically playing backstage. When I walked onstage for the concert I was happy and surprised (sometimes you underestimate the appeal or popularity of the ensemble you are a part of) to see a packed auditorium! We played the concert and it went really well. And then I jumped in my car and drove home as fast as I possibly could so I could continue cramming for my impending doom, aka recital. Admittedly I did not give a second thought to that concert.

You can imagine my total surprise when I received the following email:

_________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Ms. Murray,

First allow me to introduce myself. My name is Steve Bond and I am a Primary school Art teacher at Gentry Arkansas. I work with Summer B****, the Music teacher, who is friends with Kristen (SoNA member?) who provided me with your contact information. I share this so you may understand how this all came about. 

During SoNA 's performance on March 8th at John Brown University in Siloam Springs AR, my daughter Hannah and I were fortunate enough to be in attendance. It was breath taking and we were left speechless by the beauty of the music many times throughout the afternoon. I complement you and your fellow musicians' for the experience. Thank you!

As you may know, visual artists are always looking for the Aesthetic wherever they happen to be. 

That day I not only noticed the outstanding aesthetic of the SoNA performance, but I was also struck by your aesthetic as well. The line, form, poise, posture and expression of concentration/will that you displayed while playing was, in my opinion, the ideal image/representation of a concert violinist. 

I have a vision of this as an oil painting. Please know that I am not a professional artist, just a Art teacher. And you should also know that I am not professionally trained. In fact, I don't really even know if I can pull off what I have see in my mind's eye. However, I do know that without risk there is no reward. Therefore I am emailing you, knowing full well you may not be interested in the slightest, yet, what I imagine the painting could be makes it worth it. I hope this all some how makes sense. 

I'm curious, would you mind my undertaking a painting using your likeness? If not, then by chance do you have any quality close-up photos of yourself, playing the violin with the positioning as I previously described? Something maybe that was taken of you while you were actually playing in concert? 

In closing, whether you are interested or not in helping me with this project, I wish to thank you for your talent, time, dedication, and hard work in becoming a concert violinist. It is people like you who truly make the world a better place to live.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Talk about the nicest compliment a musician could ask for! I was so impressed that Steve had taken the time to look me up, find my name, my website, and actually email me that I couldn't not support his vision. I sent him a few more photos from previous performances and he set to work on the painting. This was by far the nicest/greatest/coolest thing that has ever come out of performing in an orchestra. I was so excited to see his work!

Steve is a very humble man. He repeatedly reminded me that he is not a professional artist and tried his best to downplay his talent and artistry. I asked him to stay in touch on this project and send me a photo when complete. Steve is actually, not so secretly a really talented painter. He is sneaky about his talents - I was totally impressed with his skills!

He went above and beyond anything I could have hoped for and I am now the proud owner of an original Steve Bond! - not only the owner but the subject! He sent the painting to me and it now hangs in my home teaching and practice studio. I thought he deserved a little attention here so everyone could see what happens when a musician and artist work together, when you take a chance and reach out to collaborate, when you share your idea with a stranger and just hope for a response.

Corresponding with Steve woke me up onstage. Hello! - people are here to see YOU! To hear YOU! To be entertained by YOU! No matter how large the ensemble or production somebody is always watching, and you are not invisible. Be grateful for that. Carry yourself with poise and self awareness (not self consciousness - a totally different, confidence eating mentality) and appreciate each opportunity to perform no matter how insignificant you may feel. A little gratitude can completely transform your intent and feelings about a performance.

Thank you Steve! For getting me out of my funk and waking me up!

Every performance is an opportunity to feel grateful - for the performance opportunity, for a job in the arts, for an audience, to connect with others, to share what you love, and to nurture relationships with friends and acquaintances (soon to be friends perhaps?). Sometimes you just have to feel grateful for these little gems life gives you.

Funny Fiddlers

Violinists often get a bad rap. We tend to be seen as snobby, elitist narcissists who just want to show off and be the best. And yes, to a degree that is true. But there are some funny ones that walk amongst us breathing some life and laughter into this field, and they deserve some praise and attention. 

Sometimes we all need to be reminded that this is fun! We do it because we like it! We get so distracted by all of the work, the practice, the competition, and the high frequencies that it can be so easy to take life a little too seriously. I watch a few of these periodically to keep my spirits up and because laughter is the best medicine - right? A chuckle a day keeps the some-sort-of-specialist-psychologist-doctor at bay. When stakes get high - the impending doom of an audition, or a high pressure performance looms - take a few moments to smile and remember why you started playing violin to begin with. Just because you're the most serious doesn't mean you're the best. Remember to keep it light. All of these musicians are top notch! No joke! They most likely would be incredibly successful as 'boring, serious musicians' but have chosen to highlight their lighter side. What a relief!

Igudesman and Joo

This violin/piano duo were the original musical comedy couple for me. I was first introduced to their work during my undergrad while preparing for my junior recital. My friend showed them to me when I was really fretting about my preparation and these guys made me laugh until I cried. I would go to the library on my practice breaks and watch a video or 2 before returning to work, instantly in a better mood. They tour the world and perform with some of the biggest names in classical music. They garner praise for their playing, comedy, and ability to poke at classical music tropes that we are constantly trying to memorize in school. I would pay big bucks to see them live. 

https://www.youtube.com/user/igudesmanandjoo/videos this is a collection of their videos.

Here are a few classics that I have always loved and enjoyed from way back when.

Ray Chen

Ray Chen has earned the right to be a serious, snobby violinist - the winner of both the Queen Elizabeth AND Menuhin competitions is no easy task. Recently he has actually acted as a competition judge for the Queen Elizabeth meaning he is a highly regarded, truly respected musician. He tours constantly as a soloist and recitalist but always seems to make time for an amusing Instagram photo, Facebook post or (wherever the cool kids are posting them) video. I don't know how he does it but his quick wit is always in tact no matter what sort of crazy pressure he is under. He even makes fun of himself and gets other famous violinists - those who are perhaps not typically thought to be hilarious - in on the joke. The following are a few of my favorites. I also really enjoyed the short instagram videos he made with British violinist Daniel Hope.

He updates his Facebook with all of his extra funny (and not so funny) posts regularly so if you're looking for a chuckle check it out. https://www.facebook.com/raychenviolinist

Two Set Violin

These guys are hilarious! They don't appear to have a proper website and they don't post most of their videos to youtube but they are a pleasant addition to any Facebook feed. Everything from making fun of youth orchestra rehearsals and the secret fears (and fantasies) of all violinists to weird things teachers say in lessons, and epic concerto rap battles. They are not to be missed!

Salut Salon - seduced classically

These ladies pull off some crazy antics on their instruments. I first encountered their work about a year ago and was both impressed and amused. Inventive, silly, and actually really really difficult to pull off - especially in heels and a dress!

Shreds

This isn't so much a specific musician, or group, but rather a very talented producer (or producers) who overdub famous musicians with terrible versions of the music. Perlman Shreds is the one I know best. They actually make the music sound how you might imagine it sounding based only on what it looks like - facial expressions, quirky technique, posture, breathing etc. 

Here's a great one of Pinchas Zukerman

And probably the most painful one of all - the performance at Barack Obama's inauguration. 

and just so you know what it actually sounded like, here is the actual performance