4 Violist Interview Questions and Answers

Introduction

This question assesses your technical skills, resilience, and ability to tackle complex musical challenges, which are crucial for a violist.

How to answer

• Select a specific piece that is recognized for its difficulty
• Explain the particular challenges it presented (e.g., technical passages, emotional expression)
• Detail your practice approach and any specific techniques you used to master the piece
• Share any feedback you received from instructors or peers
• Discuss the performance and how you felt you succeeded in overcoming the challenges

What not to say

• Choosing an easy piece and claiming it was difficult
• Failing to mention specific challenges faced
• Overemphasizing technical issues without discussing emotional delivery
• Being vague about your practice methods and learning process

Example answer

“One of the most challenging pieces I performed was the 'Sinfonia Concertante' by Mozart. The rapid passages were particularly difficult for me. To overcome this, I broke the piece down into smaller sections and practiced each slowly, focusing on intonation and rhythm. After several weeks, I received positive feedback from my instructor, who noted my improvement in both technique and expressiveness. During the performance, I felt a deep connection to the music, which helped me convey its emotional depth.”

Introduction

This question evaluates your understanding of different performance dynamics and the skills required for both solo and ensemble settings.

How to answer

• Outline the differences in preparation for solo versus ensemble work
• Discuss your practice regimen for solo performances, focusing on individual technique and interpretation
• Explain how you approach collaboration with other musicians and your role within the ensemble
• Mention any communication strategies you use to ensure cohesion in a group setting
• Highlight any specific experiences that demonstrate your adaptability in both scenarios

What not to say

• Claiming that preparation is the same for both solo and ensemble playing
• Focusing primarily on technical aspects without mentioning musicality or collaboration
• Neglecting to discuss the importance of listening and adapting to other musicians
• Providing a generic answer without personal insight or examples

Example answer

“For a solo performance, I focus heavily on technical perfection and personal interpretation of the piece. I spend hours refining my sound and emotional expression. In contrast, for chamber music, I prioritize listening and blending with my fellow musicians. I often hold rehearsals where we discuss our interpretations, ensuring we are all on the same page. For instance, while performing Dvořák's 'American Quartet,' I emphasized communication in our rehearsals, which led to a cohesive and dynamic performance. This dual approach enhances my versatility as a violist.”

Introduction

This question assesses your musical interpretation skills, which are crucial for a Principal Violist who often shapes the sound of the string section.

How to answer

• Start by discussing your understanding of the composer's intentions and historical context of the piece.
• Explain how you analyze the score for dynamics, phrasing, and emotional content.
• Detail your practice methods for developing your interpretation, including listening to recordings or collaborating with conductors.
• Share how you incorporate feedback from peers and conductors into your interpretation.
• Highlight the importance of communicating your interpretation to other musicians in the section.

What not to say

• Focusing solely on technical aspects without mentioning emotional interpretation.
• Claiming you do not need to prepare or analyze the music deeply.
• Neglecting to mention collaboration with other musicians.
• Providing a vague answer without specific examples.

Example answer

“When I prepare a piece, I first research the composer’s background and the historical context of the work. For example, in preparing for a performance of Brahms’ Viola Sonata, I analyzed the score to identify key emotional themes and dynamics, practicing with various interpretations. I also listened to recordings of esteemed violists to gain insights. During rehearsals, I engaged with my section and offered my interpretation while remaining open to feedback, ensuring our performance would resonate cohesively with the orchestra.”

Introduction

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and ability to maintain professionalism under pressure, which is vital for a Principal Violist.

How to answer

• Use the STAR method to organize your response.
• Clearly outline the challenge and its impact on the performance.
• Describe the steps you took to address the situation, including communication with the conductor and other musicians.
• Emphasize how you maintained your composure and professionalism.
• Conclude with the outcome and any lessons learned.

What not to say

• Blaming others for the situation without taking responsibility.
• Focusing too much on the negative aspects without discussing solutions.
• Failing to demonstrate how you remained calm under pressure.
• Not providing a clear resolution to the situation.

Example answer

“During a concert with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, our conductor fell ill just before a performance. As the Principal Violist, I quickly organized a meeting with the section to ensure we could follow the assistant conductor's cues seamlessly. We communicated effectively and reviewed critical passages that required our section's leadership. The performance went smoothly, and we received positive feedback. This experience taught me the importance of teamwork and adaptability in high-pressure situations.”

Introduction

This question assesses your ability to remain composed under pressure and adapt to unexpected situations, which is crucial for an Assistant Principal Violist.

How to answer

• Start by setting the scene for the performance and the specific challenge you faced
• Explain your thought process and how you quickly adapted your playing or leadership
• Detail the outcome of the situation and how it affected the performance as a whole
• Reflect on what you learned from the experience and how it has influenced your approach to performances since
• Mention any feedback you received from peers or conductors regarding your response

What not to say

• Downplaying the importance of the incident or suggesting it was not significant
• Failing to take responsibility for your part in the situation
• Avoiding specific details about the challenge or how you handled it
• Neglecting to discuss the impact on the overall performance

Example answer

“During a concert with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, the soloist unexpectedly lost their place in the piece. I quickly signaled to the section to adjust our dynamics and tempo, ensuring we maintained cohesion. My quick thinking helped stabilize the performance, and afterward, the conductor praised our ability to adapt seamlessly. This experience taught me the importance of flexibility and communication in live performances.”

Introduction

This question evaluates your teamwork and communication skills, essential for an Assistant Principal Violist who must coordinate effectively with others.

How to answer

• Outline your approach to building relationships with other musicians and the conductor
• Discuss specific strategies you use to facilitate clear communication
• Provide examples of how you have successfully collaborated in past experiences
• Explain how you handle conflicts or differing opinions during rehearsals
• Mention any techniques you use to ensure the string section works cohesively

What not to say

• Indicating that you prefer to work independently rather than collaboratively
• Failing to provide specific examples of collaboration
• Suggesting that conflicts are always negative without discussing resolution
• Overlooking the importance of the conductor's role in the rehearsal process

Example answer

“In my role with the Guangzhou Philharmonic, I prioritize open communication with the first violins and cellos, often organizing informal sectionals. I ensure everyone feels heard and valued, which helps us blend our sounds more effectively. When disagreements arise, I encourage team discussions to find common ground, which has led to more cohesive performances. Collaboration is key to our success as musicians.”

Introduction

This question assesses your technical skills, teamwork, and ability to interpret complex musical compositions, which are crucial for a section violist.

How to answer

• Select a specific piece and briefly describe its complexity and challenges
• Detail your preparation process, including practice techniques and collaboration with the section
• Explain your role in the performance, focusing on how you supported the ensemble
• Discuss any feedback received from conductors or peers and how it influenced your playing
• Highlight the outcome of the performance, including audience or critical reception

What not to say

• Choosing a piece that is too easy or not relevant to your experience
• Not mentioning your contribution to the ensemble
• Neglecting to discuss the preparation process
• Focusing solely on personal achievements without team dynamics

Example answer

“In a recent performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, the intricate harmonies presented a significant challenge. I practiced extensively with my section to ensure we blended well, focusing on dynamics and intonation. During the performance, I maintained a strong presence to support our principal violist, and we received high praise from both the conductor and audience for our cohesiveness. This experience underscored the importance of collaboration and communication within the section.”

Introduction

This question evaluates your communication skills and ability to adapt to the conductor's vision, which is vital for a successful performance.

How to answer

• Describe your method for understanding the conductor's interpretation and vision for the piece
• Share examples of how you adjust your playing style based on the conductor's cues
• Discuss how you communicate with your section to ensure alignment with the conductor's direction
• Mention any specific instances where your collaboration led to a more successful performance
• Emphasize the importance of being receptive and flexible to the conductor's feedback

What not to say

• Implying that you only follow the conductor's lead without collaboration
• Not providing concrete examples of your communication strategies
• Focusing only on technical aspects without considering artistic interpretation
• Neglecting to mention the importance of feedback

Example answer

“When working with a conductor, I prioritize understanding their interpretation of the piece. For instance, during a recent rehearsal of Dvořák's 'New World Symphony', I paid close attention to the conductor's gestures and expressive cues. I communicated with my fellow violists to ensure we matched phrasing and dynamics. Our ability to adapt quickly led to a more unified and expressive performance, which the conductor noted positively during our feedback session.”