Isobel Howard-Cordone (b. 1997)
When I was 3 and a half, I went to Young European Strings School of Music for the first time, to have an “assessment” to see if I was musical enough to join the school.
Maria Kelemen made me try out different instruments, such as the piano, drums and a wooden xylophone.
After I finished, Maria and my mother started discussing the outcome of the test, and I distinctly remember at that point that Maria handed me a piece of paper and an orange marker to scribble with.
Later that day I found out that Maria had agreed to give me violin lessons as I had “musical potential” and “good hands”.
The next day I went to the nearest violin shop to buy a 16th size violin. My parents ordered the music for some studies and pieces requested by Maria, and the subsequent week I had my first violin lesson.
I learnt how to pluck the strings and was taught by Maria the names of the four strings.
Gradually after a few lessons I began to make progress and every Monday from 5pm to 6pm I went to a music appreciation class where I met other children of my age from the school.
[To Be Continued]
