Young Winman musicians show their talent at All-State performance

Posted 4/3/14

Three talented musicians from Winman Junior High School were able to put their skills to the test recently as members of the 2014 Rhode Island All-State music program.

Violinist Viansa Portesi …

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Young Winman musicians show their talent at All-State performance

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Three talented musicians from Winman Junior High School were able to put their skills to the test recently as members of the 2014 Rhode Island All-State music program.

Violinist Viansa Portesi and viola player Ian Quinton were both named to the All-State Junior Orchestra, while trumpet player Ben Kim was a member of the All-State Junior Concert Band, both of which performed during the Rhode Island Music Educators Association All-State week two weeks ago.

The difference between the two groups is that there are no string instruments in the Concert Band, but there are all of the instruments in a full Orchestra.

Portesi said the overall experience was great.

“It was really nice. Everyone was really good. I made a lot of new friends,” she said.

Kim agreed that having the opportunity to spend time with other students interested in music was one of the best parts of the experience.

Quinton had a little bit of a different experience; his mother was actually the Orchestra’s conductor.

“It was a little weird but OK,” said Quinton.

“His mom was really nice though,” added Portesi.

The students estimate that the Concert Band and Orchestra each had between 80 and 90 students, making this the largest group they had ever played with. They had a few shorter rehearsals leading up to the performance, but the most was done on the Friday and Saturday prior when the group rehearsed for eight hours each day.

The three students, along with a handful of their classmates, auditioned for All-State in the fall, and learned they had been selected in late November.

Portesi, an eighth-grader, recalls her audition well.

“I was the first one of the day,” she said. “I was really nervous.”

But when she received a call on Thanksgiving that she had been selected for the Orchestra, she could not have been more surprised.

“I was really happy,” said Portesi.

Winman music teacher Peter Kiley remembers Portesi auditioning as a seventh-grader last year and not making it. But this year was totally different.

“She has come ridiculously far,” said Kiley about Portesi’s abilities.

And Portesi believes she has improved even more.

“I definitely got better, and I am eager to learn more,” she said. This opportunity has motivated her to improve more, and hopefully move up a few seats in next year’s Orchestra. Portesi was the 30th of 32 violinists selected.

Playing the violin for five years, Portesi says she enjoys the challenge of using a bow and learning new positions.

“It’s a challenge that I like to take on,” said Portesi, who will attend Toll Gate High School in the fall.

Eighth-grader Kim remembers being unable to stop shaking before his audition but was really happy when he made it.

“My parents were really proud,” said Kim, who comes from a musical family.

Kim said he learned what it takes to play as a member of a large group; this was his second year in the All-State Concert Band. “Everyone has a part in it. You have to blend into the group or it won’t sound right; you can’t stand out,” he said.

Kim has played the trumpet since fifth grade and said he likes that he can be a part of both concert and jazz bands with this instrument. He has also played the piano since he was in kindergarten.

Kim will attend Bishop Hendricken High School next year.

Kiley explained that Kim has a great talent, making the All-State Concert Band both years so far.

Even though he made the Orchestra, Quinton remembers being very unhappy with his audition.

“I was scared I wouldn’t make it,” he said.

Through this experience, the seventh-grader said he was able to improve on his playing technique a lot.

“I’d been taught to play relaxed, and I found I played a lot better,” he said, explaining that he had to practice not gripping the bow with all of his strength.

The most surprising part about Quinton’s acceptance to the Orchestra for his viola playing is that he only picked up the instrument six months ago.

“Viola and violins are supposed to match the level of your voice; I feel the viola matches my voice level better,” said Quinton.

He has played the violin for seven years, giving him a great deal of experience using a bow. Quinton believes his violin experience gave him an advantage to learn the viola.

“Bowing is probably the most important part [of playing both],” he said.

Quinton hopes to continue learning multiple instruments, and participate in All-State with different ones each time.

“My plan was to try out on all different instruments. I don’t want to play the same one twice,” he said.

He also picked up the bass about five months ago when a spot opened up in Winman’s Jazz Band.

“I like how low the bass is,” said Quinton.

Kiley explained that Quinton also comes from a musical family so it does not surprise him that he is picking up multiple instruments.

“Ian came in super talented,” said Kiley.

One of the highlights for all three students was having the opportunity to play more complex music. Portesi said her favorite piece was a collection of highlights from the musical “Wicked.”

“It was hard, but really fun,” she said.

Quinton’s favorite piece to play was a classic, Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony.

Kim’s favorite piece to perform with the Concert Band was a complex piece called “Majestia.”

“It had a lot of parts. By themselves, they don’t sound that good, but when they come together, it is,” said Kim.

Winman Principal Joanne Pelletier said the school community is very proud of their talented musicians. She even presented each of the three with a small gift card to congratulate them on their success.

Kiley was equally proud.

“I’m blown away,” he said.

Kiley added that Winman usually has between 10 or 12 students audition each year, with three or four making one of the groups.

Now that they have experience being a member of All-State, they hope to return next year. The Junior Orchestra and Concert Band are for students in grades seven through nine, so they would be auditioning for the same programs.

Although none have decided if their musical aspirations extend to a career just yet, they all plan to continue with music through high school.

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