Festival Hill Showcase: Margie Baylor
As a person of shorter stature with smaller hands, Margie Baylor has come to know just how challenging music performance can be. Baylor, who uses they/them pronouns, plays the viola, which is an instrument that sometimes expects them to play chords their pinky cannot physically reach.
“If I just keep my elbow up a little more, I can sometimes get the correct positioning, but sometimes it’s just not going to work and I have to think of other creative ways to get around it,” said Baylor. “I really think that’s helped me overall as a musician, figuring out what works for me specifically and what doesn’t.”
Baylor’s music journey began in 7th grade, where they had to choose between taking art classes and joining the school orchestra. They knew that music was what they wanted to do, so they enrolled in the orchestra, where they picked up a viola for the first time.
They didn’t choose the viola at first, however. What initially drew Baylor to the strings section was the cello, and for a brief time they also considered bass. But they quickly realized that with their abilities, a smaller instrument would be the better choice. Then they discovered the instrument they now love.
“Iwaslike,maybeI’mmeant to play viola,” said Baylor.
“I definitely love the instrument. I don’t know where I would be without it.”
Soon enough, Baylor was a member of three Richmond Symphony youth ensembles and began picking up their own gigs throughout the community. They also attended the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival and volunteered in a pit orchestra for the School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community.
Baylor will start their final year of undergraduate studies at Peabody Conservatory this fall, where they are studying viola performance with a minor in business of music. Orchestra administration and working behind the scenes for music ensembles are things that interest Baylor, so they’re hoping to be able to combine their education in both viola performance and business in their future career.
After graduating, Baylor does plan to pursue a master’s degree, but is keeping their options open in regards to what school they plan to attend. They also hope to someday perform with an orchestra that plays movie and video game soundtracks. Soundtracks from Marvel movies and the game “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” are among their favorites to listen to.
Regardless of what their future holds, though, Baylor hopes to be able to promote inclusivity for all, regardless of ability or disability, in whatever aspect of music they’re involved in.
“If you play out of tune or you play something wrong, it doesn’t mean you’re unworthy or a bad person,” said Baylor. “On the outside, that kinda sounds silly but when you’re putting so much of your heart into what you’re doing, it can sometimes feel that way. Always remember your value, be OK with where you are and just see where things will take you.”