A Professional Violin and Bow
Donation protected
I began violin at the age of six with my mom as my first teacher. After joining the local youth symphony I started entering solo competitions and was able to win scholarships to take lessons with another teacher. This teacher was able to explain to me the dedication that it takes to become a real musician. I embraced the work because I loved the music, the violin, and the people who listened. At the age of 12, I made my solo debut with the Dearborn Youth Symphony as the winner of their Young Artist Concerto Competition. Fifteen years later, this past May, I graduated with my Masters degree in violin performance from Boston University.
Through all this time, I have discovered the power of music to change lives. I have been able to take music to places I never dreamed of visiting, and the impact it has on the lives of adults and children alike is truly moving. In Tijuana, my church youth group visited different orphanages to help them with building repairs, and I was able to play violin for the children there. While in my undergraduate studies at TCU, I toured Argentina with the school orchestra, playing in local schools and across Buenos Aires and Rosario. Here in Boston, I have been able to teach violin to underprivileged and minority children. In each instance, I was able to see the light in the eyes of children who were exposed to the world of music. They inspired me to use the power of music to reach out to those who need help and encouragement. As an Filipino American, I am familiar with the difficulties that come with being a minority, and I believe music is powerful enough to combat racism and intolerance, as it brings people together from diverse backgrounds.
The violin that I have been playing on for over twelve years is a student instrument. It has been my friend through all my studies; however, it is not capable of sustaining my dreams of being a professional violinist. It does not have the sound or technical capabilities that I need in order to do well at auditions. Even while I was in school and attending summer festivals, I was unable to use my violin for important events; thankfully, I have been able to borrow different violins and bows for performances and recitals. Due to my violin's limitations in terms of sound and technical capabilities, I often have to overcomepensate physically in order to acheive the sound I want. Years of struggling to produce sound has caused severe pain in my shoulders and arms.
Now that I have graduated, the time has come to invest in my own instrument. Unfortunately, a professional violin is extremely expensive -- much more than I can afford as a young professional who is married to a pianist still in his doctorate program. But a professional violin is exactly what I need in order to pursue my dream career. Securing a position in an orchestra will not simply help my own career, however -- it will also enable me to do more community outreach, like I did in Mexico, Argentina, and Boston. With a better instrument and a stable job come more opportunities, and I am looking forward to being able to invest more of myself in the lives of young musicians.
As such, I am looking to you for support, to invest a part of yourself in my endeavors. I have found an instrument that I connected with personally and would love to purchase, but I need $10,000 for the down payment plus $2000 for the bow. The instrument is waiting for me, I just need the funds!
Your support would not only change my life, but the lives of all those I would be able to better share my music with. Please support me in this effort to touch the lives of those around me!
Listen to me playing on my current violin
vs a beautiful, professional instrument!
Through all this time, I have discovered the power of music to change lives. I have been able to take music to places I never dreamed of visiting, and the impact it has on the lives of adults and children alike is truly moving. In Tijuana, my church youth group visited different orphanages to help them with building repairs, and I was able to play violin for the children there. While in my undergraduate studies at TCU, I toured Argentina with the school orchestra, playing in local schools and across Buenos Aires and Rosario. Here in Boston, I have been able to teach violin to underprivileged and minority children. In each instance, I was able to see the light in the eyes of children who were exposed to the world of music. They inspired me to use the power of music to reach out to those who need help and encouragement. As an Filipino American, I am familiar with the difficulties that come with being a minority, and I believe music is powerful enough to combat racism and intolerance, as it brings people together from diverse backgrounds.
The violin that I have been playing on for over twelve years is a student instrument. It has been my friend through all my studies; however, it is not capable of sustaining my dreams of being a professional violinist. It does not have the sound or technical capabilities that I need in order to do well at auditions. Even while I was in school and attending summer festivals, I was unable to use my violin for important events; thankfully, I have been able to borrow different violins and bows for performances and recitals. Due to my violin's limitations in terms of sound and technical capabilities, I often have to overcomepensate physically in order to acheive the sound I want. Years of struggling to produce sound has caused severe pain in my shoulders and arms.
Now that I have graduated, the time has come to invest in my own instrument. Unfortunately, a professional violin is extremely expensive -- much more than I can afford as a young professional who is married to a pianist still in his doctorate program. But a professional violin is exactly what I need in order to pursue my dream career. Securing a position in an orchestra will not simply help my own career, however -- it will also enable me to do more community outreach, like I did in Mexico, Argentina, and Boston. With a better instrument and a stable job come more opportunities, and I am looking forward to being able to invest more of myself in the lives of young musicians.
As such, I am looking to you for support, to invest a part of yourself in my endeavors. I have found an instrument that I connected with personally and would love to purchase, but I need $10,000 for the down payment plus $2000 for the bow. The instrument is waiting for me, I just need the funds!
Your support would not only change my life, but the lives of all those I would be able to better share my music with. Please support me in this effort to touch the lives of those around me!
Listen to me playing on my current violin
vs a beautiful, professional instrument!
Organizer
Rachel Arcega Orth
Organizer
Boston, MA
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