Violin and viola studio presents student recital

The violin and viola studio presented their student recital April 10. The recital was hosted in the Colton Recital Hall which can only hold 27 audience members.

Dr. Ioana Galu, the assistant professor of violin and viola, put together the entire recital for her students. With the COVID-19 pandemic, she said she was unable to prepare food for the end of the recital, but nothing else really changed for the violin and viola studio. 

“The kids are so resilient. They really got used to wearing the masks, to be COVID conscientious and protect the pack,” Galu said. 

Galu does her best to make music majors and non-majors feel welcome in the Fine Arts building. She said only a few non-majors would not perform their own piece during the recital because she wants them to enjoy playing violin and viola, not be forced. 

“Basically for the electives or participants, we are here for them to play in the orchestra and to have fun and learn whatever they want and give them structure,” Galu said.  

Freshman music education and violin performance double major, Brady Riker has been playing the violin for 14 years and said the whole studio acts like a family and supports each other instead of competing with each other.  

“I feel like we all connect more, like we all cheer each other on and make each other feel comfortable,” Riker said. “They’re just super supportive and my teacher, Dr. Galu, is the most supportive person you’ll ever meet, which is great.” 

Riker said he hopes the audience is able to see that there’s more to music and performing than just playing an instrument. He said it can be impactful to let yourself go and be free with the music. 

“I want to be taken out of there, transported. I hope they just escape for an hour, 90 minutes,” Galu said. “Enjoy the talent and have fun watching the students play. It’s accessible music to the heart, it’s easy to understand. It’s not super contemporary.” 

Attendance was by invitation only and was livestreamed.