Notes, music, and passion fill the rehearsal space as the string quartet made up of violinist Hannah Salz, violinist Ryan Soon, cellist Samantha Homsy, and viola player Riley Soffera play their beautifully meshing and unique instruments.
“Our string quartet is a chamber group where students who love playing their instruments and want to not only grow as players can work together to make really great music,” Salz said. “It has two violins, one on each part, a viola, and a cello, and is self conducted.”
There was a similar quartet prior to COVID, but this is the quartet’s first year back in action since. Although Salz didn’t create the quartet, her teacher wanted her to be a part of it.
“The program is through a chamber academy that has quartets at many different schools, my private lesson teacher is actually the one who got it started at Bowie and is teaching us this year,” Salz said. “I found other willing musicians and helped put it together.”
Most of the members of the current quartet haven’t played in a group like this, but Soffera has had some experience and believes it has made her a stronger musician.
“I have loved music all of my life, but I really started to understand my passion for it when I started playing the viola in sixth grade,” Soffera said. “Making music has affected me in such a positive way and I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to play my instrument and be a part of the orchestra programs at Bowie and Small Middle School.”
The rehearsal process has shown the members how to build a foundation in the creation of music and then uniquely express themselves by adding collaborative ideas on top of it. They typically rehearse once a week during the orchestra period. They go through small sections and talk about articulation and style.
“We usually start with a slow tempo on new passages to see how the parts come together,” Soon said. “In chamber music, it’s so interesting seeing how each part works together creating music. There are so many parts to it that we can’t see but only realize when we break it down.”
Ever since Homsy was exposed to the complexities of music, she has learned to love the small details.
“The quartet is an opportunity for me to share my knowledge with the other players while also improving chemistry with them,” Homsy said. “Quartets and orchestras are one of my favorite types of ensembles to play in.”
The quartet has their first performance in November and their final recital in the spring.
“I don’t love how performing can go south quickly,” Salz said. “ However, in the end it’s just notes and it’s more about putting on a fun show with your friends.”
