BY JACKIE WEISER
In a generation where more people are trying to make a name for themselves as rappers or DJ’s, classical music seems to have lost its appeal. However, it’s a vital part of freshman Sabrina Victor’s life. It all began six years ago when she first picked up the violin.
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With a great grandfather who was a violinist and a cousin who plays piano, it wasn’t surprising Sabrina Victor developed an appreciation for music. Her interest began in third grade when a show came on featuring world-renowned violinist Sarah Chang. Victor was instantly intrigued after watching her play.
“I’ve always loved music,” Victor said. “But I was really interested in the violin.”
Victor’s parents signed her up for lessons in third grade with violin coach Eddie Schriebman and she joined the Music America Orchestra where she performed with kids her age.
She remembers the feeling the first time she glided the bow across the violin strings and it released an angelic tune. Clearly, there was no going back. Her father Guy Gerald Victor was one of the first to appreciate her talent.
“When she was playing with a group of kids from Music America, she would always go ahead of the group,” Mr. Victor said. “And when they where playing, all of the other kids had to look at their music notation sheets but Sabrina would never even have to glance at hers.”
In fact, Victor was so talented that the Music America Orchestra conductor suggested she try out for the prestigious Florida Youth Orchestra. The Florida Youth Orchestra (FYO) is an orchestra as well as a music education program for young, talented musicians under the age of 19. FYO is the only youth orchestra to win the endorsement of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra. FYO performs all around South Florida and is nationally recognized as Florida’s premier youth orchestra. Entrance into FYO is determined through extremely competitive auditions that are held every June in front of judges from the New World Symphony, Symphony of the Americas, University of Miami Music School and Florida Youth Orchestra’s staff. People come from all over the globe to audition. Even with the fierce competition, Victor made the cut.
“I had no doubt that she’d make it,” Mr. Victor said. “All her instructors always told me how talented she was.”
Victor has been playing with FYO for a year now in the repertory division, which is the fourth of seven divisions and mainly involves the violin, viola and cello. She practices from 6:45 p.m. – 9 p.m. daily with the orchestra and practices for at least an hour per day at home by herself. Over the summer she practiced twice a day.
Playing with FYO has opened up many opportunities for Victor. Aside from meeting new friends who share her love for making music, she has performed at the Miami, Broward and Coral Springs Performing Arts Centers along with a couple of county festivals.
She also helps teach young kids to play the violin and has performed for several nursing homes, one of her favorite venues.
“I really enjoy performing for nursing homes, “Victor said. “Older people enjoy the music more than kids. I love it.”
Along with the hardships of being a teenager, Victor also has the incredible task of balancing her daily three hours of practice with being on the debate team and maintaining straight A’s.
“I mean, it does get hard at times, but I don’t mind,” She said. “I love the violin so I guess it isn’t that bad.”
At first, her father was hesitant about Victor getting involved with the violin because he feared that it would interfere with her schoolwork. Now, her parents are her biggest supporters. Whenever she’s feeling lazy, her parents are always there to encourage her to practice or study.
“She is the joy of the family,” Mr. Victor said. “It’s such an honor that she has taken up the violin.”
Victor is going to continue playing with FYO through high school. She plans to take a music appreciation class next year and hopes to attend a college with a great orchestra. Victor is unsure if she sees the violin as a profession, but would love to pursue other music related careers. She is also considering law school, but no matter what, she wants to incorporate the violin in her life. Even if it’s just for leisure, Victor is reluctant about giving up the activity she loves most.
“Music is great because there is a song for every mood,” Victor said. “I really enjoy playing music; it’s my life.”
