Friends Finding Their Rhythm Through Bass
Bevin, left, and Izzy, right, are bassists in the MYS Philharmonic Orchestra. Bevin is an 8th grader at South View Middle School and Izzy is a 9th grader at Minnehaha Academy.
Two Philharmonic bass players, Bevin and Izzy, are not only section mates but also friends who bring humor and insight to their musical journeys. Both found their way to MYS at the encouragement of their parents, after their older brothers had joined.
During a lively conversation on a recent Saturday morning, the pair discussed what makes the bass unique, the challenges (and occasional comedy) of transporting it, and how MYS has shaped their musicianship. Bevin and Izzy’s reflections and easy bond show how collaboration makes music even more rewarding.
What influenced you to choose the bass?
Bevin: My brother plays the bass and he really liked it, so I figured, why not try it? When I was younger I always wanted to do the exact same thing as my brother. It’s a more obscure instrument. Not a lot of people play it. I don't know why, but that interests me a lot.
Izzy: We have an orchestra at my school and I saw a girl playing the bass and I was like, “whoa that's super cool!” And then I just had to convince my parents. I pestered them. My dad wanted me to play the flute or the piccolo or, you know, like the tiny instruments.
Your older brothers both play in MYS. How did their MYS journeys influence yours?
Izzy: When I first started bass I didn't think about being in MYS. My parents really encouraged playing in an orchestra so you don't have to play alone. Because with bass there's not typically a lot of solo music. They said, “we’ll get you in MYS as soon as possible.” I started bass in 7th grade and I think I joined MYS the same year I started playing bass.
Bevin: My brother auditioned at the beginning of the summer and I auditioned at the end. I hadn’t really thought about it but my parents said, “It’ll be good for you. You could be doing the same things.” Then they convinced me to just try out and then I could choose if I wanted to do it or not, and I was like, “Yeah, this seems fun!”
If you could describe the bass in three words, what would they be?
Bevin: That one’s hard! It’s large. It’s really uncomfortable to lug around. It’s interesting because it’s the one instrument where it’s low enough so you can really get depth in the music.
Izzy: Heavy. It’s heavier than me, probably! But less heavy, and more just inconvenient. I have to take tiny steps or else I’ll fall over! It’s fun to explore the bass—it has a bigger range than I suspected.
Bevin: I have a wheel.
Izzy: You lucky duck!
How has playing bass in MYS made an impact on your life?
Izzy: It’s given me new insight into what you can do in an orchestra. Learning what being part of a group is about. I’ve played piano since I was 5, but piano is a solo instrument. Orchestra is figuring out how to work as a team to create music.
Bevin: I’ve learned responsibility. I've learned that I have to practice. I do soccer and that takes up a lot of my time. I'm starting viola lessons because I taught myself how to play viola last year, and I also do theater. I have a busy schedule and I've learned how to manage my time pretty well.
What have you learned from one another, playing in a section together?
Bevin: We both play in different ways. Sometimes we'll play the same note in different positions. Sometimes she figures out an easier way to do it and I'm like, “Oh that makes so much more sense!” We can work together to figure out the best ways to play.
Izzy: Bevin, since she's been playing longer than me, knows more technique stuff and it's more solidified in her brain. I have to ask her sometimes . . . [Bevin interrupts] It’s Ok! . . . like, “Bevin, what is that note again?” Teamwork helps you learn from other people and you can replicate what they do.
