Mark O'Connor

On Wednesday I got to see Mark O'Connor perform live at the University of Maryland.  His music was a combination of old time fiddle and classical violin.  He also played jazz.

Mr. O'Connor is a violinist and composer.  He played with Yo-Yo Ma and Edgar Meyer creating the album Appalachian Waltz which he also composed.  He grew up playing the violin, and by the time he was in high-school he had one every major fiddle competition in the US.

The tone of his violin was incredible.  During the performance he played in several different tunings.  In one piece, he started playing the violin like a mandolin but switched in mid-song to using his bow.

The whole performance was definitely the best solo violin recital I've ever seen and the best I can even imagine.

A new violin!

Right before we left Maryland for our trip to North Carolina, I exchanged my 1/2-sized violin for the next size up, a 3/4. Although the violin costs the same to rent, it is a better quality violin. I love playing it!



I got to try it out first while practicing in the hotel room. Because it is larger, it is also louder. But nobody in the hotel complained!