There's Something Really Special About a New Viola

This winter Abigail grew out of her viola. She has been growing, yahoo! And getting a new viola is a long and wonderful process. 

It starts with her private teacher recommending a larger size. This in and of itself is a very big deal because the larger the viola, the deeper, more rich and vibrant the sound. So whenever we get the thumbs up/ green light for either of our girls to go up a size we do! 

How does "getting a new viola" work? 

We we don't rent but own the violas, so we work with a company in Boston that we sell back and purchase from. They are wonderful to work with. This time they sent Abigail two new violas in the size we were looking for. 

Now sometimes trying the two they send just doesn't work. It's possible that they don't 'feel right' or 'sound right' to the one playing. So sometimes this process of back and forth can take months. 

A few years ago Anna's (final) viola (at least we think it might be her final viola) took over a month (or maybe it was more) to decide. We were back and forth through so many until she found the one that she loves and plays now. 

Now that Abigail is a freshman in high school and playing in three orchestras, group class, and chamber group she really has stepped up as a player, and it was time for a really good instrument. 

We were thrilled that out of the first two they sent, she fell in love with one of them. 

Choosing her bow took a lot longer but the viola itself wasn't hard at all. 

I grabbed my camera as much as I could in this process. Because I always want to remember and a string of pictures just helps with that. 

At her lesson, her private teacher had her play both violas and they took notes. They her teacher played and Abigail took notes. They both chose the same viola! 

So for a while all of these violas were in our living room. There were new ones, her regular one... it was a few weeks at least. 

And then she had to say goodbye to her old one. It is always bittersweet. 

"Thank you for helping me get into Vivace."

"Thank you for helping me get into Camerata." 

One last look and a goodbye, back to Boston she went. 

Abigail has been loving her new viola. Here's to many years of music.