The Red Violinist

“There is nothing more difficult than talking about music.”

-Camille Saint- Saëns

I realize the irony of this quote when writing a blog about music. However, Mr. Saint- Saëns, I will give it my best shot!

A year ago this month, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Wichita Youth Symphony Concert at Century II Concert Hall in Wichita, KS. With my husband on my left, snapping photos on his extended lens Canon, and my 4-month-old baby on my right, sleeping blissfully much to my relief, I settled in for the second half of the concert. The entire hall was packed with about 2,000 people in attendance, the concertmaster had tuned the orchestra and taken her seat, and I waited in excited anticipation for the star to arrive. Suddenly, a beautiful girl walked across the stage in a sparkling, floor-length red gown. Her golden curls cascaded gently over her shoulders, and she bowed gracefully to the audience. The members of the youngest orchestra sat in the front, gazing in awe at this high school senior, hoping that one day they could stand in her shoes. The conductor took his place on the podium, and the soft strains of Saint-Saëns’ “Havanaise” began to permeate he hall. The opening was sweet and nonchalant, evocative of a peaceful French countryside. However, the following section showed a fiery side to the young performer that defied her age. I watched as her fingers flew over the strings, one after the other in rapid succession. The French piece lent itself to drama, and the young star gave it the perfect blend of relaxation and passion. After an intense passage of tenths (large stretches for violinists’ fingers) and brisk 16th notes, she finished the piece with a happy, carefree melody that floated off into the distance.

With tears in my eyes, I climbed the stairs onto the stage as she took a bow. I walked over to present her with a bouquet of roses, and gave her a proud, sisterly hug. “You were wonderful!” I whispered. “I’m so proud of you!” She smiled as she took the flowers and walked graciously off stage. What a magical moment!

This concert held special significance for my family, because Christy, the star of our story today, is the youngest sister of we five. All of us came back to our hometown for this special occasion, along with our families, to celebrate Christy’s accomplishment. I couldn’t help but think back on my own senior solo several years ago (I won’t betray my age, but we’ll just say I now celebrate a yearly 29th birthday…), as well as those of my other sisters. We had all won this special opportunity to perform our solos with the orchestra, so the pressure on Christy had been immense. However, she rose to the challenge and performed her song with flair and finesse!

P.S. Interestingly, four of the five of us performed different works of Camille Saint-Saëns, including his Concerto #3 in B minor, 1st movement, 3rd movement, Rondo and Capriccioso, and the Havanaise. Kerri, the fourth sister, branched out to another French composer, Eduard Lalo, performing the 5th movement of his Symphonie Espagnole. They are all wonderful works, but as Saint- Saëns mentioned in his quote, words can’t fully do them justice. So if you get the chance, look  them up and take a listen!

****************************************************************************************

First Fridays with Uptown Violins is hosted by Ashley Rescot, Director of Public Relations. Ashley received her Bachelor of Music from Baylor University, as well as minors in French and English. She taught English as a Fulbright scholar in France for a year, and then obtained her Master’s Degree in French Literature at the University of Kansas. She has taught French to all ages, including a Maman et Moi baby French class, as well as collegiate French levels I-IV. She teaches her own private violin studio and performs throughout the Midwest. Research interests include the relationship between music education and language acquisition, as well as the connection between music and other forms of artistic expression.

Becoming Uptown Violins

“Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music.” -Sergei Rachmaninoff

 Music runs in our family. It’s in our blood. As a child, I remember going to Grandpa and Grandma Scheer’s house to practice for our Christmas shows with our Grandma Ruth, mom, aunts, and cousins. Filled with music and noisy children, this house never knew a quiet moment! As we played, a well-worn violin sat perched in a frame above us, as though presiding over the rehearsal like a wise old friend. Grandparents’ houses are always filled with family treasures that tell tales of the generations past. My mother Allison was one of 10 children who grew up in this house. The family performed as the “Scheer Delights,” often reenacting songs from The Sound of Music in which Allison played Marta, the next-to-youngest child in the von Trapp family. She fondly remembers singing Edelweiss with her father Harold, the stately Captain von Trapp. Valerie, the oldest of the 10 children, had taken up violin and taught it to many of her younger siblings, including Allison.

A generation later, Allison had 5 little girls of her own whom she imparted her love of violin. We kept our mom busy as she worked tirelessly to teach all of us the family trade. The “Scheer Delights” became the “Five Star Strings,” and we performed frequently at Christmas parties, church events, orchestra concerts, and violin recitals. Favorite songs included “The Syncopated Clock,” “Minuet” by Boccherini, and “Millionaire’s Hoedown.” We even brought back a few of the old Sound of Music songs! As the oldest of the five I played Liesl, much to the chagrin of some of my younger sisters who had to play the male roles of Friedrich and Kurt!

While Christy, the youngest, was still in kindergarten I left the nest to attend Baylor University to study music. Sherèe joined me shortly afterwards, and one by one the others followed suit. Now Christy is the last of the clan to attend our Alma Mater. Following graduation, Brittany and Kerri, the third and fourth sisters, moved to Uptown Dallas and started a new music business, Uptown Violins. It has now expanded to cities throughout the Midwest, including Wichita, KS, Kansas City, KS/MO, and Springfield, IL.

However, when I look closely, it’s not such a new business after all. Very recently, I discovered that our musical heritage dates back to my Grandpa Scheer’s grandfather. Apparently Granfather Panter McIlvain played the fiddle in a country band, performing for dances and parties in his town. He passed on his violin to his grandson, Harold, who gave it to his own children to learn. It now hangs in a prominent place in the Scheer home, looking from above on all the aspiring new violinists. I smile every time I see my one-year-old daughter imitate her mommy by clutching her little toy violin, trying to hold it under her chin. Perhaps she will be the sixth generation to espouse this trade, giving it her own spin as her predecessors have done. Rachmaninoff was right, “a lifetime is not enough for music.” The musical heritage of a Midwestern violinist still lives on a century later through the songs of his descendants.

In memory of the late Grandfather Harold Scheer (1922—2016), co-founder of the “Scheer Delights.”

****************************************************************************************

Director of Public Relations/ Principal

First Fridays with Uptown Violins is hosted by Ashley Rescot, Director of Public Relations. Ashley received her Bachelor of Music from Baylor University, as well as minors in French and English. She taught English as a Fulbright scholar in France for a year, and then obtained her Master’s Degree in French Literature at the University of Kansas. She has taught French to all ages, including a Maman et Moi baby French class, as well as collegiate French levels I-IV. She teaches her own private violin studio and performs throughout the Midwest. Research interests include the relationship between music education and language acquisition, as well as the connection between music and other forms of artistic expression.

First Fridays With Uptown Violins

With the start of the New Year, we are launching our new blog, First Fridays with Uptown Violins! You can check us out at the beginning of every month to read up on all things violin. Topics range from pedagogy and product reviews, to the relationship between music, the visual arts, and literature. You can catch up on some of our highlight performances, including playing at the Country Music Awards, giving a recital in Paris, France, soloing with the Wichita Youth Symphony, and even performing at the Dallas Cowboys Halftime show! Whether you are a fellow violinist or a music aficionado, we hope you join us First Fridays for some Uptown fun!

Director of Public Relations/ Principal

First Fridays with Uptown Violins is hosted by Ashley Rescot, Director of Public Relations. Ashley received her Bachelor of Music from Baylor University, as well as minors in French and English. She taught English as a Fulbright scholar in France for a year, and then obtained her Master’s Degree in French Literature at the University of Kansas. She has taught French to all ages, including a Maman et Moi baby French class, as well as collegiate French levels I-IV. She teaches her own private violin studio and performs throughout the Midwest. Research interests include the relationship between music education and language acquisition, as well as the connection between music and other forms of artistic expression.