Music

About Viola Day

Viola Day is an opportunity for violists to gather and play together. Participants of all levels are welcome and all activities are open for observers to enjoy. 

Each year, 4 soloists will play a movement of the Telemann concerto with the alto clef orchestra. At least one player will be a non-CWU student. Please inquire if you're interested!

Guest Artist

Melia Watras has been hailed by Gramophone as “an artist of commanding and poetic personality” and by The Strad as “staggeringly virtuosic.” As a violist/composer/collaborative artist, she has sustained a distinguished career as a creator and facilitator of new music and art.

Watras’s much-lauded work as a recording artist spans nearly three decades. Her albums have been described as “an exquisite world in which beauty and dreams flirt with sorrow” (The WholeNote), “a rare balance of emotional strength and technical delicacy” (The American Record Guide), “a beautiful celebration of 21^st century viola music” (The Strad), “astounding and both challenging and addictive to listen to” (Strings), and “pure, poignant, powerful in their immediacy” (Berlin-based music magazine 15 Questions). In addition to her 10 solo albums, Watras appears on 13 others as violist of the acclaimed Corigliano Quartet.

Her compositions have been performed throughout the US and in Europe, broadcast on National Public Radio’s Performance Today, and can be found on the albums The almond tree duos; Kinetic; Partita Party; Play/Write; String Masks; 3 Songs for Bellows, Buttons and Keys; Firefly Songs; Schumann Resonances and 26.

Watras is currently Professor of Viola at the University of Washington, where she holds the Ruth Sutton Waters Endowed Professorship and for 13 years served as Chair of Strings. In 2024, the American Viola Society presented Watras with the Maurice W. Riley Award, for her distinguished contributions to the viola as a performer, composer, teacher and leader. She has penned articles for the Journal of the American Viola Society, The Strad (online), Strings and the Juilliard Journal. 

Time and Place

• Sunday, October 26, 2025
• 10:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.
• Central Washington University 
• McIntyre Music Building
• Concert hall, Recital hall, Choir room
• Cost - Free!

Schedule

• 10:00 a.m. - Arrival, registration, music pick-up, and coffee and snacks.
• 10:30 a.m. - Rehearsal of ensemble pieces on noon concert
• 12:00 p.m.  - Noon Concert
• 1:00 p.m. - Lunch (provided)
• 1:30 p.m. - Violympics
• 2:30 p.m. - Improv Workshop with Melia Watras (open to all instruments/voices and all levels)
• 3:30 p.m. - Masterclass with Melia Watras
• 5:00 p.m. - Rehearsal of ensemble pieces for final concert
• 6:00 p.m. - Final Concert
• 7:00 p.m.. - Reception

The Music

Each concert will have a mix of solo and ensemble pieces. Anyone can play along on the ensemble pieces by showing up to the Viola Day rehearsals. Participants are not required to play all the pieces- only the ones they are comfortable playing. See below for sheet music links. Once you're registered, you will be contacted to discuss your part choice/assignment.

Registration

Please let us know you're coming so we have enough food for the CWU hosted lunch and are prepared with stage setup. Registration is below.

Questions and Inquiries

Please contact Dr. Michelle Rahn for any information you need at Michelle.rahn@cwu.edu

Lunch

The CWU viola studio will provide lunch and snacks in the choir room. All participants and guests are invited to join and can bring their own food if they wish.

Common dietary restrictions will be accommodated, such as Gluten-free, Vegan and nut free. Please contact Dr. Rahn with further questions or accommodation requests. 

Violympics

• This is a very silly collection of activities that challenge us and make us laugh! There are prizes for participation!
• Violaoke - viola karaoke! we will play through songs with a karaoke track. Sheet music will be provided. Pop, jazz and classical will be heavily featured. Be in contact if you have a request!
• LingLing Workout- Made famous by the YouTube duo, TwoSet. Google it. Challenges can be done as a group or individually.
• Viola Jeopardy- test your viola knowledge!
• More TBA

Improvisation Workshop

UW Viola Professor Melia Watras will be joined by her husband, violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim, to teach the group about improvisation. This workshop is open to all instrument and voice types. No experience necessary.

Masterclass

• At least one non-CWU student is invited to play in the masterclass. Please inquire if you're interested.

Concert Information

• Dress is all black
• Participation is based on the players comfort level

Noon Concert

• More to come!
• Telemann Viola Concerto arr. Wreede

Final Concert

• More to come!
• Bohemian Rhapsody for 8 Violas arr. Dan Doña 

Participation Certificates

• Certificates will be presented to participants at the final concert.

About Our Guest

TBA

Music Downloads

• Parts will be assigned prior to Viola Day. Participants will be contacted by email.
• All music, Concert 1
• All music Concert 2 

Questions and Inquiries

Please contact Dr. Michelle Rahn for any information you need at Michelle.rahn@cwu.edu