Committed…

Hello Everyone. How are you? I am doing well, so well, that I wanted to let you know the latest. Ah, the title of this entry, “Committed…” refers to an experience I had earlier today while playing the violin.

Again, for those of you who know me, you have known that I have been studying music since the age of four. I began on the violin at that age, but switched to viola before entering eighth grade. This means I played violin for nine years before the switch.

Well, guess what? I am now switching back to the violin as my main study. That’s right, after thirty years of playing the viola, I am switching back to the violin. Sounds crazy, but is it?

Ah, when I purchased the violin that is now in my possession, it felt as if I had received the gift of having my old friend back. This made quite an impression on me. That was in December of last year (2024). Well, yesterday I was playing scales on the violin, a typical warm-up session, when I realized again that I wanted to improve on the instrument. Today, I committed to that improvement.

So, what does this mean? It means I am no longer a violist, but am both a violinist and violist. That’s right. I plan on keeping my skills up on the viola for the time being, mainly because I do not have enough violin repertoire to fill three hours of music for the gallery I am performing at daily. But, in my journal, I am already in the early stages of planning recitals and other performances for violin solo, and possibly viola as well. I do not know how committed I will remain on the viola, mainly because I am so excited about my connection with the violin.

I realize that this decision, if you can call it that, is not of the norm. But, I am giving myself 3-4 years of progress on the violin, until I am ready to be a concert violinist. It may be that I have some recitals before that 3-4 year period is over, so stay tuned (pun intended) for your opportunity to see me play. Amen.

My approach is simple: take one day, and even one moment at a time. Stay tuned into and honest with all “higher powers” about my progress and how I feel moving forward. And remember, it is supposed to feel good, and trust me, it feels wonderful to play the violin again.

Also, I should add, although it is a big transition for me in terms of feeling and commitment and overall joy; it is not unheard of to play both the violin and the viola. There are many players who are more than adequate at both. So, it’s not like I’m doing anything completely new, other than it being a completely new outlook on life for me.

It could not have come at a better time, and for this I thank God. Amen. I was in a hole with past dreams and internal conflicts. Now, I am no longer reliant on people to show up and be a part of something. I no longer want those past dreams and therefore, they are over. Amen.

I am sure I will one day include this whole process of awakening to the violin in an autobiography or something like that. It has been a long-time coming. I wanted a certain dream that required the attention of certain people, but it only brought me frustration and disillusionment.

For those of you who know me, you know this is not the first time I have experienced disillusionment on a grand scale. I remember sitting in a jail pod in 2017, after the girl I thought was the one placed a restraining order on me, which I broke in order to talk with her. Wow. It is kinda funny now, but from a distance.

Well, once again, the tunnel vision has been broken. The old dream of being a quartet musician has faded and something new has come into my life. It was completely unexpected, but totally welcome.

Anyway, enough about all that.

I will keep you posted on my progress with the violin. For now, know that I am playing at a gallery in Galveston (the Art on Postoffice Gallery) nearly everyday. Reach out to me if you want to visit and hear me play. That way I can make sure to be there when you arrive.

Also, I am reentering my art into the gallery very soon, hopefully this weekend. I have some new pieces that are quite large (all 36x48) that I will me installing. That’s two reasons to come to the gallery!!! The third reason to come is to see me and hang out for a bit. That would be fun for me and hopefully for you as well.

Anything else? Ah, progress on this website is slow indeed, due to all the changes going on in my life, I’m sure. But, I do hope to have the rest of my cards up soon, as well as some more art pieces for you to look at and fall in love with. Haha.

Anything else? Nope.

Have a wonderful rest of the week and blessings all around.

Peace and Love,

Travis Galbraith