I picked up the violin in the fifth grade, playing my first concert in 1981 at the Sixth Frederick All-County Orchestra Festival. I decided to learn the violin after hearing a kid named Ronnie play “Old MacDonald” in Mrs. Ferguson’s mixed fourth/fifth-grade class. For whatever reason, I was quite impressed and decided I would learn the violin. I had to wait a year, however, because I was only in the fourth grade and you could only start in the fifth grade.

My parents rented a 3/4-sized violin from a local music store and I began practicing. Lesson were actually quite rudimentary, definitely not the Suzuki method! Nevertheless, I enjoyed playing immensely. I was part of a school orchestra from then on. I still play, but mostly I’m just messing around.

If you choose to download, just remember, this is a fifth-grade orchestra and most everyone’s first performance. A profound thanks to our music teachers, especially for their patience and endurance.

If you played in that festival (what are the odds?), please e-mail.

© 1981 – 2013, Mark Adams. All rights reserved.