Help Emily Scicchitano Purchase Her Dream Violin

My name is Emily Scicchitano and I am currently a second year Master's student studying Violin Performance at Boston Conservatory at Berklee in Boston, Massachusetts. As I have just started my final year at the conservatory, I’m beginning to prepare for my official full-time entrance into the world of professional music, which I have been eagerly and excitedly working towards for the past fifteen years. My dream is to be a full-time orchestral violinist. Playing in an orchestra is what started and fueled my love for music, and it is the most fulfilling part of my career. I will never forget an experience I had during my senior year of high school when my youth orchestra took a trip to perform in Carnegie Hall as part of a Viennese Masters Invitational. It was such a special experience meeting musicians from all over the country, being able to see their performances, and perform in one of the most historic concert halls for a sold out audience. Doing all of this alongside my friends in the orchestra is an experience that really solidified my dream.

I truly believe that music has the power to change lives and that is the mindset that I bring on stage with me for every one of my performances. Some of the happiest and most fulfilling moments of my life have been on stage sharing the experience of performing incredible works alongside talented musicians with gracious audiences. Music, specifically orchestral playing, encourages such a unique sense of togetherness that is indescribable, and I have had the privilege of experiencing that first-hand on many occasions. One of the most memorable examples of this was performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection,” with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. This concert was one of my first experiences playing with a professional orchestra, and one that I will never forget. This symphony is composed for a large orchestra, including organ and offstage instruments, as well as a full choir. The stage of the Orpheum Theater was filled with musicians and the energy in the room was almost tangible. Performing a work of this scale with such a large number of musicians really highlighted this feeling of togetherness that music encourages, and that was so clearly felt by the audience as well. These musical experiences that break down that barrier and touch the hearts of both the musicians on stage as well as the audience, are ones that I always strive to have. Overall, my biggest goal and dream is to continue becoming the best violinist I can be while remembering the most important reason I do what I do; to share my love of music and the violin with as many people as I can.

My journey of working towards this dream has led me to have many exciting and rewarding musical experiences that I’m very proud of. I received my Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, studying with Calvin Wiersma. Following that, I spent the next two years in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where I did some freelance performance work and had my first real experience as a professional musician. While I was there, I won the Concertmaster position of the Buffalo Community Orchestra. I loved that position greatly because of its interaction and connection with the community. I was able to meet some incredible community members who play in the orchestra who I’m very lucky to now call my friends, and share our performances with such a gracious community. To me, this bond and connection with others is what makes orchestral music so special. Additionally, I won a season-long substitute section violin position with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. This experience overall was life-changing as it was my first experience playing with a professional orchestra, as it showed me how lucky I would feel to get to do this for the rest of my life.

After my time in Minnesota, I decided to move to Boston to pursue my Masters degree in Violin Performance at Boston Conservatory, where I study with Markus Placci. My time at the conservatory has really been nothing short of a dream in itself. One of the performances I’m most proud of thus far is when I had the great honor and opportunity of being Concertmaster of the Symphony Orchestra’s performance at Boston Symphony Hall. Playing alongside my friends in a leadership position on another one of the most iconic stages in the country gave me a glimpse of what it would be like to pursue this at the highest level and made me even more determined to give it my best.

As I am getting ready to continue my professional journey after leaving Boston Conservatory at the end of this year, I have become aware that I will need a violin that is both at my level and gives me the space and opportunity to grow as a violinist. I purchased my current violin about seven years ago for $6,000. While it was a very nice instrument for where I was at the time, over the years, I have started to significantly outgrow it. Therefore, in preparation for my numerous orchestral and summer program auditions, I have decided to begin the exciting journey of buying a new violin! In the process of looking for the perfect violin for me, I have come across a luthier who makes really fantastic instruments. The luthier, Benjamin Ruth, is one of the most highly regarded contemporary violin makers and has been active in violin making for almost fifty years. After trying a few of Benjamin Ruth’s violins, I had an instant connection with the last one that I tried. Purchasing an instrument is such a personal process because finding one that fits and speaks to you is often difficult to find. I knew the second I played this violin, that it was meant for me. This violin is Mr. Ruth’s interpretation of Stradivari’s “P” form design and the total price is $35,000.

This instrument, after only being in my life for a couple days, has proven to be so special to me. It understands my playing and compliments it in the most perfect ways; it almost seems to read my mind. I am confident that this is the instrument that will grow with me and be there to push me to my greatest potential. I very much appreciate you taking the time to read about my story and I thank you so much for believing in my cause!