Exploring the Viola at ConCorda

ConCorda Chamber Music Course for Strings offers violinists the chance to explore the viola, using instruments provided by the course. The violas were bought for ConCorda in 2014 with a grant from the Richardson‑Smith Musical Trust. Peggy Nolan, Course Director, gives us a history of the ConCorda violas. We spoke with three young ConCorda violinists who have the opportunity to try viola during the course about this experience.

Peggy explains: “At ConCorda, we are lucky every year to receive applications from a great number of violinists wanting to attend the course and play chamber music. Often the number of violins far outstrips the number of violists and cellists on course, leaving us with the challenge and opportunity to engage our large cohort of violinists. An option for all violin players is to try out the viola for a session. Many adventurous violinists choose this option, as a chance to try a whole new instrument, take on the challenge of learning a new clef, and enjoy the beautiful sonority of the viola. Players are supported by our wonderful team of viola tutors, who advise on all things, from choosing an instrument and setting up comfortably, to reading the alto clef, and not least getting to grips with the C string.

We have four instruments that students can use, which live in our ‘viola station’. Players can sign out violas for sessions, practice, or drop‑in sessions where they can bring tricky parts to a viola tutor during free time. Violas in general vary much more than violins, which are standardised in size and shape, so it is important to have a range so that each player can find a suitable instrument. The violas are named after four towering figures in the viola world: Tertis, after Lionel Tertis, is very large and probably our least used viola though a tall player with long arms would be a great match. Imai is named after the renowned violist, Nobuko Imai, and is smaller and more manageable for younger violinists. Primrose takes its name from the violist and teacher, William Primrose, and with its smaller size and lovely sound is one of the most used violas on the course. The last viola is named Aronowitz, after Cecil Aronowitz, who was a colleague and friend of Hugh Maguire‑ the ConCorda founder.”

We spoke to three violinists. Bláithnaid Fitzgerald Smith, age 18, started violin when she was 7 and first tried the viola at ConCorda in 2024. Reflecting on the experience, Bláithnaid said, ‘Even though we violinists give a lot of hate to violas, I must say it was a fantastic experience. Honestly, when I first found out I would be playing viola in one of the quartets, I had no idea how I would do it but everyone was so encouraging. I was matched up with Primrose, the best viola of all. It was actually easier to learn than I expected and the concert at the end of the course gave me a goal to work towards. Even though violin will always be my number one, I love the mellow tone of the viola”. While Lia Galvin, age 17, started violin at age 6 and first tried the viola at ConCorda at age 14. Lia was excited to try something new and explained “My mother and brother both play viola, so I thought it would be fun”.

Rumer Rose Spratt, age 15, started playing the violin at age 6 at MTU Cork School of Music. Rumer first tried the viola at ConCorda in 2024, she writes “I had been interested in the viola for a few months before this. My violin teacher for the year was also a viola player and she brought her viola to a lesson, I loved the rich sound of the instrument. I was also intrigued when I heard that the Head of Strings in MTU Cork School of Music, Cian Ó Dúill, started on violin and then switched to viola.” During ConCorda, Rumer was asked in a chamber group sessions to play viola. Rumer explains “The tutors were extremely helpful to me. It took a short time for me to get used to playing the viola, as I had already been introduced to alto clef in musicianship classes. Other than the fact that the viola was a bit big for me, (still playing on a ¾ violin at the time made a big size difference!) I had lots of fun learning to play it. It is still a comforting similarity to the violin. By the end of the week I was sad to stop playing the viola”.

When asked whether they planned to continue playing viola after the course, all had similar responses. Lia said, ‘I don’t play viola, although I really enjoyed it. I didn’t have an opportunity to play viola after ConCorda (outside of home) but I would be interested in playing viola again in the future”. Rumer shared that while her schedule between music and school has prevented it so far, she’s eager to pick it up again, “I am increasingly interested in taking it up during the summer; perhaps playing viola at ConCorda and working on it as another instrument during Transition Year. I plan to continue playing the viola at the earliest opportunity I can seize, as I enjoy playing it. New doors are open, and my musical knowledge and understanding has been broadened”. Similarly, Bláithnaid has not had any opportunities to play viola since but has considered investing in one in the future, she would be happy to play viola again at ConCorda.

We also asked are there good opportunities for viola players. Lia feels that there are promising opportunities for viola players: “There are more opportunities for viola players, in orchestras and chamber music. I always feel I should have changed to viola a year or two ago, but I didn’t. Maybe I will in the future”. Rumer agrees about the opportunities: “When I returned home from ConCorda, I found myself even more intrigued in the viola. I also recognised that there are larger opportunities available to viola players in orchestras, etc. than on the violin. So I would say that yes, viola players have good opportunities as it is a less common instrument, with instruments such as violin and cello greatly out passing it in number of players. This gives viola players a wider chance of being accepted into orchestras and in trying new musical groups.”

They all would like to continue music in some form. Bláithnaid is working towards the Leaving Certificate and hoping to do medicine. Bláithnaid writes “It is a given that I want to keep up the violin all through my life. I did my Grade 8 ABRSM exam. I am considering furthering my studies with maybe a diploma down the line. I am also in Dublin Youth Orchestra, I want to try and stay in orchestras/chamber groups/music stuff in general alongside my future career”. Lia, who is a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, says that music is an option for college. Rumer has been an active student of the MTU Cork School of Music since age 6 and is also a member of the Cork Youth Orchestra (CYO). While Rumer writes that “ConCorda made me realise how much I love playing in chamber groups of different sizes and how I would love to pursue this in the future. I am counting down the days to be back at ConCorda”. Rumer is also contemplating studying music in college at MTU Cork School of Music, “ConCorda and CYO allowed me to realise how much I love music and could not imagine my life without it. I am looking forward to finishing my violin grades, continuing my diploma, as well as completing my musicianship senior cycle studies.”

We are grateful to Bláithnaid, Rumer and Lia for taking the time to speak to us. It is clear that for violin players, trying the viola offers a fresh perspective and a deeper appreciation for the role it plays in ensemble music. We hope that the opportunity to explore viola at ConCorda opens the doors to new possibilities for players.