Sanchia Norman, viola

What do you do for a living?: I'm a freelance programme/project manager, and I work mostly in the Telecoms and IT industries.
Tell us a little about the instrument you play? Do you play any other instrument?: I play the viola, and like Hywel, am a viola purist – I never played the violin. I was originally a pianist, but was converted by a prom that my parents took me to at the age of 15. There I was mesmerised by the wonderful sound of the orchestra, and decided on the spot that I HAD to play in one, and that it HAD to be on a string instrument. Since I was a late starter and was unlikely to be able to catch up sufficiently quickly on the violin or cello (and since I cycled to school, rendering the double bass a non-option), the viola was the obvious choice! I play on a modern viola made by William Piper under the pseudonym of Joseph Gilbert. The reason for the pseudonym is a colourful one – ask me in the pub.
When did you start your musical education?: At the age of 5 with a neighbour who was a piano teacher. She was sadly also stone deaf, which perhaps explains a lot! My musical education really started properly eleven years later when I joined Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra which - apart from being a baptism of fire since I had precious little viola technique at the time - was the most wonderful experience, both musically and socially, and provided fantastic training and repertoire. Adrian Brown was the conductor, and many of the ex-Stoneleigh players (including Laura Samuel) have gone on to enjoy exceedingly illustrious careers in music. I also first met my husband there.
How long have you been with the CCO?: Only since March 2006, but it feels much longer - in a good way!
What has been your favourite CCO concert?: That's a difficult choice! Brahms 3 in March 2008 was extremely moving, and Sibelius 5 in June 2009 was incredibly exciting. Laura Samuels' rendition of the Barber Violin Concerto during our debut concert at the Southbank was also especially memorable.; Which piece of music do you most enjoy playing?; Anything by Brahms really – he gave the viola such fabulous lines and harmonies.
If you could take a recording of one piece of music to a desert island, what would it be?: WHAT an impossible question! Something involving one of the following musical heroes I suppose, but it would be heart-breaking to have to choose.
Who are your musical heroes?: Bernstein, Bill Evans, Bashmet, Isaac Stern, Oscar Peterson, Brahms (naturally), Britten, Mendelssohn, Charlie Parker, Lipatti, Bach, Ella Fitzgerald, Haitink... I could go on and on and on. I'm also particularly fascinated by the brilliant and shamefully under-rated British composers of the last century (especially the eccentrics) – Lord Berners, Constant Lambert, Alan Rawsthorne, York Bowen, Herbert Howells, Peter Warlock, etc.
When was the last time you attended a concert as one of the audience?: Never yet for CCO, I'm pleased to report! I see a lot of Opera as my husband plays double bass in the ENO orchestra. The last thing I saw there was Peter Grimes, which was unforgettable. The last concert I wish I'd gone to was the prom dedicated to MGM musicals given by the John Wilson Orchestra. It was unbelievably exhilarating on the television so must have been even better in person.
What do you listen to in the car?: It’s usually whatever we're rehearsing, but failing that, I love Jazz and Big Band music. Preferably it needs to be fast enough music to keep up with my driving...
What are your other interests?: I read voraciously and love going to the theatre, eating Greek food (in Greece) and playing chamber music. Otherwise my main hobbies are pretending to exercise and sleeping.