Violas
With a range a fifth lower than the violin (the lowest string an octave below middle C) and somewhat larger in size, the Viola is the middle member of the string section. It is easily distinguished by its lower more mellow sound.
Although close to the violin in many ways, the Viola has a completely different character. It is deeper and more subtle with a voice capable of emerging from its often supporting role to give a prominent and expressive sound.
Sometimes overlooked, the viola is a beautiful instrument with a distinctive voice and if used well can transform the whole sound of a section or be used as a stunning solo instrument.
Listen here for some examples of a solo viola or small viola section.
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*Soloist Reiad Chibah
Nancy Johnson
Nancy Johnson comes from Derbyshire. She completed the Manchester University/ Royal Northern College of Music joint course in 1998, and won the Rachel Godlee Viola Prize for Chamber Music. In 2000, she gained her Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School.
Whilst in New York, Nancy performed Chamber Music in Carnegie Weill Hall and the Alice Tully Hall. Nancy has attended the International Musicians Seminar at Prussia Cove, The Salzburg Sommer Akademie, the Sarasota Music Festival, and has performed with the Young Artists International Chamber Orchestra in Los Angeles. She has performed in Masterclasses with Itzhak Perlman, Yitzak Schotten, Thomas Riebl and Diemut Poppen.
Nancy currently freelances in London, performing with the London Symphony Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and other groups in the UK and abroad.
Rachel Robson
Rachel was born and educated in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, where she learnt the viola through the peripatetic system. She studied at The University of Manchester and The Royal Northern College of Music.
Since moving to London in 2000, Rachel has enjoyed a varied freelance career, working with ensembles including The Philharmonia Orchestra, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, London Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Ireland, Northern Sinfonia, RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and English Touring Opera.
Rachel has also played the viola on many commercial recordings and for several long running West End shows.
Martin Bloor
Martin studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and is now a busy freelance viola player based in London. His varied work includes playing with or The Philharmonia Orchestra, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
He is also busy as a chamber musician playing in venues around the UK and abroad. Martin has also been invited to play Guest Principal with the RTE Concert Orchestra in Dublin, The Lancashire Sinfonietta, Mozart Festival Orchestra and The London Concert Orchestra as well as Guest No. 2 with BBC NOW.
Previously he held posts in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Sub Principal of the Northern Sinfonia, where he also performed as soloist with the orchestra.
Martin plays on a viola by Mark Robinson, which he had made for him in 1987.
Reiad Chibah
Reiad Chibah attended the Purcell School and the Royal College of Music. Whilst at the R.C.M. Reiad won all the undergraduate viola prizes and string chamber music prizes. On graduating Reiad was awarded the Constant and Kit Lambert prize - the college's major award for ensemble playing.
His performance of the Walton Viola Concerto with the R.C.M. Symphony Orchestra was broadcast on B.B.C. Radio 3. Reiad later travelled to Jerusalem for lessons at the Rubin Academy of Music with Maya Glizarova.
Reiad's orchestral experience includes work with the Northern Sinfonia and The Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields as well as guest principal with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. He has performed with chamber ensembles such as the Belcea Quartet, New Music Players, Lontano and Opus 20 - groups with whom he has recorded, broadcast and appeared at events such as Wien Modern and the Dartington International Festival.