Get to Know Emily Esseny
Senior Emily Esseny is a member of the CAC band, but she is also a violinist with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in their Youth Ensemble’s Academy Orchestra. Read on to learn a little bit more about Emily and her passion for music that extends beyond the doors of CAC.
You’re playing with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Youth Ensemble’s Academy Orchestra. How long have you been a part of this group and how did you initially get involved? I’ve been a part of the AYSO for 2 years. I started in the prelude orchestra last year, and now I have leveled up to the Academy Orchestra. I got involved with it through my violin teacher who suggested that I should audition. To get into the Youth Orchestras, your private teacher has to give a recommendation and then you have to audition.
How long have you been playing the violin? I’ve been playing for 2 1/2 years.
You’re also in the CAC band. How many instruments do you play in total and what are they? I play 3 instruments in total, which include the violin (2.5 years), clarinet (7 years) and piano (1 year).
Which is your favorite to play and why? I don’t really have a favorite instrument. They all have their own unique sound and different qualities that make one more challenging than another.
Learning how to play one instrument helps me play the other instruments. On the violin, I have to be articulate with my left hand, meaning being able to move my left fingers fluently on the strings, which also comes in handy when playing the piano because my left hand (non-dominant hand) built strength to play the bass cords of a piano. The clarinet helps me become more articulate in both hands which helps with playing piano, too. The piano helps me understand how notes can have the same fingering, like E# is the same note as F natural, which is usually written as an accidental in violin music. I think the reason why I don’t have a favorite is because each instrument helps me play the others. All this being said is that all of my instruments are fun to play!
What is your favorite part of playing with the AYSO? My favorite part of being part of playing with the AYSO is the experience. I get to play in big auditoriums like the Robinson Performance Hall, and I’ve made many new friends who share the same passion as I do. Another favorite part is getting new music to play because the music is challenging which enhances my musical abilities and makes me a better all-around musician.
Is there a particular performance that stands out in your mind as your favorite? My favorite performance is either my most recent concert at the Robinson Performance Hall or my last spring concert playing with the prelude orchestra. Robinson was a fun experience that I will have two more times, one in April and the other in May. I got to go into the dressing rooms of the Robinson theater and I also got to see all of their Broadway show posters signed by the actors. I also got to play my favorite song on the stage called “Genesis” by Rossano Galante. The song is amazing and it is fun to play this song. At my last spring concert with the prelude orchestra, I played at the Mills High school and played the Pirates of the Caribbean’s Main Theme song which sounded amazing. Pirates is just one of those songs that makes playing the instrument fun!
Do you plan to pursue music after you leave CAC? I do! My plan is to join the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra which is the top orchestra in Arkansas. I also planned to go into nursing or music therapy. Even if I don’t pursue music in the future, I will still practice and play my instruments on the side as a hobby.