Student Perspectives
The Suzuki Youth Orchestra

By Soham Gudsoorkar

I performed in the SYO (Suzuki Youth Orchestra), and it was a unique and fun experience. It differed from orchestras I’ve performed in, like the University of Cincinnati’s summer camp orchestra or Cincinnati Junior Strings (CJS), because I knew that most people weren’t from the same place as me. Some people had come internationally from South America. It was somewhat similar to CJS, an orchestra I am a part of, because we played songs from various countries. We played Por Una Cabeza (Spain), Cumbia y Congo (Columbia), and Brachilaes Brasilias (Brazil). The SYO was a bit bigger than CJS but was approximately the same size, so it didn’t feel too different.

The Suzuki Youth Orchestra takes a bow at the closing ceremony of the 2024 SAA Conference. Photo 2024, Denny Medley: Random Photography.

I felt honored that I had been selected to take part in this part of this conference and happy I had got to go to my first musical conference. During the whole travel, I could not stop thinking about the concert in two days. I attended the violin masterclass mini-recital, and it was fun to see very talented people perform and get tips from Sirena Huang, a world-class violinist. I also attended a Dalcroze Eurythmics workshop and wished we used our instruments in some exercises. Some musical and technical pointers I learned were that if you have a forte at the end or in the middle of the measure, you have to start quietly and then get to the loud so that the critical note sounds more exciting and dramatic. For practice, I could do a scale, with the top note getting the most sound and then get quieter again. For the concert, another technical, musical performance pointer I learned was that if I missed a note or got that note wrong, I would not be discouraged but keep going like I hadn’t gotten that note wrong.

I enjoyed the exhibits because I got to try various instruments like an electric violin, different strings, techniques to practice, conference swag, and a free set of full-size violin strings! I also loved our concert because I had fun playing pieces I’d been practicing for months and working as a team with people I had only known for two rehearsal days, just a few hours. Finally, on the concert day, we had a rehearsal where we played our songs and shared grandmother-approved jokes. Ms. Kirsten Marshall’s sense of humor was cranked up to the highest degree, and I feel like none of us were nervous because we had been working hard on these pieces since February.

Soham Gudsoorkar with his parents at the 2024 SAA Conference in Louisville, KY.

The Parents’ Perspective

By Priyanka and Prakash Gudsoorkar

As parent chaperones, we were initially daunted by the prospect of navigating an event with thousands of attendees. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the friendly arrangements and welcoming environment. This reassuring atmosphere made us feel secure and confident that our son was safe and thoroughly enjoying himself. We strategically divided the sessions between us and found ourselves particularly drawn to the rehearsals led by Ms. Marshall, whose infectious energy was a highlight of our experience.

In between sessions, we explored Market Street, meandering through art-filled and edible delights while receiving comforting signals from our son that he was in good spirits. This experience enriched his musical journey and contributed to his personal growth, making him appear more mature. The cherry on top was the attendance of his music teacher and CJS orchestra instructor at the final play-in, adding a musical conclusion to his memorable journey. We are delighted to have chosen this experience for our son, witnessing firsthand its positive impact on his musical and personal development.

Soham Gudsoorkar

Soham Gudsoorkar is a 6th grader at The New School Montessori, Cincinnati, Ohio, and loves math and history. Soham started to play the violin at the age of 7. He studies with Dr. Joyce Grabell at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music (CCM) and plays in the second violin section of the Cincinnati Junior Strings orchestra. Soham was selected to play at the Walnut Hills High School Chamber orchestra in the 2024-25 academic year. He loves soccer and his favorite teams are FC Cincinnati, Tottenham Hotspur, and Real Madrid.