Senior, Kelby Grady, is a proud new addition to Fauquier County’s regional orchestra. Playing both viola and violin for several years, it has taken a lot of hard work for her to get to this point. The regional orchestra is very difficult to get into, with hundreds of people who audition, only a few will get in. Grady is very excited to be a part of the regional orchestra.
Grady started playing viola seven years ago, saying she was drawn to the viola because “it’s a medium [pitched] instrument and it wasn’t too high.” The viola is used as a nice middle ground within an orchestra, not as high as a violin, but not as low and booming as a bass. Due to a lack of violins within her orchestra class last year, Grady decided to step up and begin learning the violin.
The immense amount of effort Grady has put into practicing many different songs and scales has been very time-consuming, but completely worth it. Last year Grady auditioned for regionals but only made it into alternates. “I’m so excited because last year I auditioned for regionals but only got into alternates, so this year I wanted to make it,” Grady stated. Regionals isn’t the highest level Grady can go, she plans to try out for Virginia’s all-state orchestra by the end of the year.
The events Grady will be partaking in have not been disclosed yet, but it is confirmed that she will be playing a professional orchestra piece called “Overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla”, which she will be playing with all the other students who made it into regionals. Though Grady is very excited she has gotten into regionals, she has also confessed that she is quite nervous due to the skill of the other members. “I’m a little nervous because I think a lot of these people are so good, but I am too, so I am both excited and nervous,” said Grady.
Music has always had a special place in Grady’s heart, saying, “Music has always been something that makes me feel better, and [music] makes my day better, so I’ve always liked playing music … whenever you play [music] for someone it always makes them happy too, and I like to make people happy.” Grady really likes challenging pieces, her favorite piece that she has played is, “Warrior Legacy.” She is also a big fan of country music, saying country music was one of her inspirations for playing music. She likes artists such as Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs and Zach Bryan just to name a few. Grady plans to spend her life playing and teaching music for a career. After she graduates from FHS she would like to go to either Virginia Tech or AMU for a degree in music education.
Grady will be an astounding new addition to the Fauquier County’s regional orchestra, and the orchestra must surely be proud to have her.
