For the Violas

If there is one thing we know about Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival Founder and Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann, it is that her mind never rests but, rather, gives birth to endless brilliant ideas. Her latest is one that will help level one of the last remaining bastions of unfairness in the world of music.

“As you know, I play both violin and viola” Friedmann explains. “But there are times the viola just doesn’t get the respect it deserves, basically being treated as the banjo of classical music - it is often referred to in a non-flattering tone of voice, the butt of endless jokes, even being relegated to closets, it breaks my heart. I thought wouldn’t it be great if there was a non-profit in support of all those poor, denigrated violas and violists out there? Something that would shine a light on their underappreciated alto beauty? So I am founding Violas In Our Lives Invoke Nirvana. Not Nirvana like the band”, she went on to explain “but rather in the Buddhist sense of achieving the highest possible state of enlightenment. Because, well, yes, violas…enlightenment….ahhhh yesssss” When it was pointed out to her that, while a worthy goal, the acronym might cause some confusion, she simply picked up her viola, smiled beatifically, and wander toward the nearest closet to do some practicing.

Next Steps

Many of our Festival friends have been asking Executive Director Anita Orne what she will do with all her spare time when she retires at the end of 2025. Acting on her well-known predilection for a certain kind of footwear, she has decided to open a Boot Barn outlet in downtown Westsound. “I am really looking forward to making ridiculous amounts of boot ownership easily accessible for all!” Orne enthused. “The Boot Barn folks have been great to work with. They were so understanding when I explained that I would not be purchasing any stock from them for this venture but will, rather, be raiding my own closet to keep Orcas Island feet looking sharp for years to come”. Yeehaw!

The stunning success of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival Boutique, selling OICMF-branded merchandise in person during the Festival each August and online throughout the year, has caught the eye of the world of high fashion. Having been approached by a wide variety of international haute couture houses, the Festival has agreed to partner with Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, and Valentino for the coming season. We know they are very grateful. 

all photos disavowed by Barry Carlton