Lillie Sakai shares how “each of us has a unique role to play in the orchestra.”
Music has always been a part of my life. Throughout high school, I actively participated in various orchestras, music organizations and musical performances. While I was passionate about music and playing my violin, I did not plan to major in it. However, I still wanted to continue my musical pursuits in college.
The BYU University String Orchestra was exactly what I needed. I love that BYU has a non-audition, string-only ensemble that offered a welcoming space for me to continue my musical journey. I joined my first semester just to see what it was like, and I loved it. I enjoyed learning from student conductors that knew how to bring music to life while also being surrounded by other musicians who had the same passion for music as me. It was inspiring to know that everyone was there out of choice, not obligation.
While there is no audition to get into the orchestra, musicians can audition if they want a certain seat. This year, I decided to audition and was blessed to find out I was the concertmaster. The concertmaster is the lead violinist and plays a crucial role in tuning, deciding bowing, leading sectionals and making decisions for the orchestra. Being concertmaster this semester has truly grown my passion for music as it helped me learn how each of us has a unique role to play in the orchestra.
Being in an orchestra is a team effort that begins with individual practice. Outside of rehearsals, I spend one to two hours each day working on my own playing. I focus on my intonation, bowing, dynamics and articulation as if I am practicing my own solo. During rehearsal, I bring my individual skills but shift my focus from a "soloistic” perspective to an “orchestra” one. Instead of listening to myself, I pay attention to how I fit in with the other parts. Being a concertmaster has reminded me that everyone has individual talents they bring to the orchestra and we play together best when we take time to listen to others and blend all our talents together.