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Music is almost a first language for violinist Peter deVries, the current president of Friends of Music at Queens University of Charlotte. When he received a violin in the fourth grade, deVries gave shape to his musical mind. He went on to have a successful career as a violinist, which was cut short by a shoulder injury. Today, deVries plays with the Bechtler Ensemble.
Osmosis: “I grew up in a home as full of music as it was of English. I learned to speak English by osmosis and I learned the language of music (the same way).” He went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees through a scholarship to the Indiana University School of Music.
Return to the violin: deVries was the principal concertmaster and soloist of the Portuguese Symphony Orchestra. When a shoulder injury forced him to leave, he feared he would never play again. In 2009, deVries had rotator cuff surgery, which finally got him back on the violin, at least for fun.
Come as you are: Chamber music can be for all ages. “One of the problems with chamber music is that people feel like they shouldn’t go unless they are really informed,” says deVries. “It’s just a warm, fun, friendly setting.”
