I Think A Viola Should Make You Feel Like This

 

It was time for a new size - size up - viola for Abigail. Since we don't rent anymore our plan was the same as we've been doing for Anna. We would take the viola that Abigail owns and work with the company in NY to trade it in - for a larger size and higher quality. If we up the quality each time the girls need a new size, by the time they have their 'adult' viola it would be an heirloom, a treasure, nothing we could ever afford if we just started out purchasing that 'last one'. But if we upgrade set by step every few years we could do that for them. And it is our hope to continue so that when they leave our home to play 'for the world' they would have 'their viola'. 

So it was time for a new one for our littlest. Two violas were sent. And this is how the Sunday evening went. All of us together. 

It was such a pretty night - dark outside - all let up inside with Christmas lights and fires glow. 

Scott helped her open the box and she took the first one out. 

There were quite a few moments like this one because she just couldn't believe it. It's always this way when you go up a size. 

And some 'almost tears' moments. 

She opened the second viola. 

They sent 3 very different bows to choose from .

Anna got right on the tuning of both new violas. 

And started to help her look at all of the differences in the bows. (what are we going to do without Anna here for these moments next year?) 

Then Abigail began to try them out - a few scales on both. 

I love her little smile in this photo. 

All while Anna watched on coaching her. 

Choosing a viola can take a long time and several weeks. These 2 new violas and 3 bows will live in our house for at least a few weeks until her final decision has been made. 

I am so grateful for music in this house. 

Here is Anna choosing a new viola in 2019 

and way back in 2016