Holiday listening project
Perfect for the summer break, this listening activity is all about getting curious about the violin and its music — no scales, no practice diary, just watching and listening.
7/9/20261 min read
This listening activity is ideal for students that are on the summer break from school, but can be done at any time!
This task is designed to get you curious about the violin and its repertoire. It doesn’t require any scales, practice diary, it’s just watching and listening.
Below are five clips of violinists playing very different styles of music. Have a watch or listen to each one over the summer, whenever you get some spare time.
The clips:
Renaud Capuçon playing Beethoven's Romance in F major for Violin & Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf2J0ykoW2A
Maya Broman Crawford-Phillips in the BBC Young Musician 2024 semi-final (start at 11 mins)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0jyqzqp
Lisa Batiashvili playing the Sibelius Violin Concerto at the BBC Proms, July 2025
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2x8O8x7Kgvs
A string quartet cover of Adele's "Easy on Me"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-_C1YMQN_I
Damien Escobar, jazz violinist, playing "Fuse"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_66y6OX1ig&list=PLr-3hI3fYgKS04q_a2k8F1OMj__zYua8p
All I want to know:
Which was your favourite, and why? Was it the music, the soloist, the setting — or something else entirely?
Come ready to tell me at your first lesson back after the break!
For anyone who wants to explore further (totally optional):
What did you notice about the performances — the soloist's technique, the different instruments or groups, the size of the audience?
Can you find another clip of your favourite piece, soloist, or ensemble — maybe playing something else you like?
Is there a concert near us you could go and see something like this live? Worth asking your parents!
Has this given you any ideas for your own playing — a piece you'd love to learn one day, or even starting an ensemble with a friend?
Enjoy the holiday, and I can't wait to hear what you choose!