The violin bow touches the string and all of the diligence and dedication goes into high gear, the muscle memory from practicing endlessly flows, through the body, the arms, the hands, the fingers. During competition, the adrenaline ebbs and flows, but in a moment it is all over.

After auditioning for All-State Orchestra for the fourth time, senior Kathryn Park walked away as an All-State Orchestra qualifier for the fourth time consecutively.

“Kathryn is very dedicated to playing at a high level,” Orchestra director David Chisum said. “She has potential of being very special if she wants it.”

Park is the first violinist in Bowie Orchestra’s history to qualify for All-State Orchestra four years in a row. Park recalls one of the happiest moments in her life was qualifying for All-State Orchestra as a freshman, and then every year afterwards.

“I didn’t really care for violin when I first started,” senior Kathryn Park said. “But I really started liking violin going into high school.”

Through her middle school years, Park qualified for Regional Orchestra every year and since then her journey with music has come a long way.

“I like to share stories through music,” Park said. “People are able to interpret the story in their own unique way.”

Through these other mediums of sharing stories like video game story design and an artist, Park has been able to fully develop the way she tells a tale through music, too.

“Kathryn’s playing has gotten to be more well rounded, there is more depth to her sound, more nuance,” Chisum said. “She used to play aggressively, now she is more balanced as a violinist.”

Throughout middle school and high school Park has held the title of concertmaster as the first chair in the first violin section. With this position, Park is held at a higher standard than her peers and therefore must learn the music quickly and be able to lead her section and orchestra.

“Kathryn is a really great player,” sophomore Emmanuel Dominguez said. “She has real talent and is very determined.”

Park was a member of the Austin Youth Orchestra Park for three-and-a-half years before stopping due to time constraints but continues to take violin lessons twice per week with her private teacher and monthly lessons with another private teacher.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Kathryn,” Chisum said. “I’m excited to see what her future holds for her.”

Park’s experience at Bowie has been auspicious, especially in Orchestra and has led her towards double majoring in violin performance and animation after graduation.

“Kathryn’s a boss of a player,” Chisum said. “I will definitely miss working with her when she graduates.”