From the Top Inspires 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra Students in Salt Lake City

Will Hagen with Waterford School students in Sandy, Utah during From the Top's community event

In early October, From the Top traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah to tape a radio broadcast at Libby Gardner Hall with Utah Chamber Artists. While we were there, From the Top had the opportunity to visit the Waterford School in Sandy, Utah and introduce students to 16-year-old violinist Will Hagen, a From the Top alum who also happens to be from Salt Lake City. Will was on From the Top’s show with the Buffalo Philharmonic last spring.

At the Waterford School on October 8, Will performed for members of the 7th and 8th grade string orchestra, sharing some of his favorite music, including the piece that first inspired him to play the violin — Kreisler’s Tempo di Minuetto. The students had an endless supply of great questions, asking about Will’s practice habits, stage fright and how he manages to memorize all of those notes.

After performing another favorite Kreisler piece and some Bach, Will decided to share a “work in progress”, Sarasate’s Ziguenerweisen, and asked the students forgiveness in advance for any missed notes. His electric performance had the students wide-eyed and riveted, especially when he laughed off a few missed bars of music mid-performance!

During a lively Q& A session with the students, Will confessed that he often struggles with practicing, preferring to just play through pieces, and sometimes watches movies on mute while practicing technique! The students were definitely sympathetic to his plight!

Afterwards, Will noted “It was really fun to see all of their faces light up — they definitely seemed to be into it!”

Stay tuned for From the Top’s broadcast from Salt Lake City to hit airwaves the week of November 23, 2009.