Teen spent his summer stringing along at SPAC

Tim got that chance by enrolling in the New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA). Held in Saratoga Springs and sponsored by the Governor's office and State Legislature, NYSSSA helps young people from across the state to plan professional careers in the arts.

Members of professional companies as diverse as the New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra work with the students.

Take a bow

He is no stranger to public music performances. After several years with the Empire State Youth Orchestra, he reached the top level this year.

"I like classical music a lot," he stated. If a musician successfully learns a piece, "you know when you've accomplished something. If you don't work at it, everything you play is going to sound bad."

Making the grade

"Probably more people didn't get in than got in," he guessed. But Tim was one of the successful ones. For four weeks, his day consisted of morning rehearsals with a large orchestra, afternoon sectional rehearsals or rehearsals with a string orchestra, and attending evening classical-music concerts at Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

He also got to rub elbows with member of the Philadelphia Orchestra. One question for the musicians was on all the students' minds: "Everybody asks, `What do you think of my violin?'" he said.

Tim explained that each student's violin usually has at least one good quality: It may have good tone or project sound better than another. But he admitted that his violin can't compare to that of a professional musician: "The violins they use are so much better. They're worth so much more money!"

Asked if he aspires to own such an instrument, Tim was pragmatic: "The violin doesn't make a violin player."

Sound of music

As to whether his NYSSSA experience will lead to a professional music career, Tim isn't sure.

"I thought earlier that if I want to be in an orchestra, I want to be in the Philadelphia Orchestra," he noted. But "I'm hearing a lot more, how good they really are and how hard I'd have to work, so now I'm not sure."

For now, the chance to participate in NYSSSA is enough: "I like the music that we play. I just like playing with other good musicians."

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