Sunset Middle Violinist Joins Nashville Symphony Program

Published September 19, 2017

Sunset Middle School has a budding professional musician in its midst.

Riya Mitra, an eighth-grader at Sunset Middle, is one of four middle school students in Tennessee to join the Nashville Symphony’s Accelerando program.

Accelerando is a rigorous and rewarding program open only to orchestra instrumentalists. Students in the program will receive year-round instruction from either a member of the symphony or someone equally as qualified.

They will also have several juries and opportunities to perform solo recitals and chamber performances throughout the year. On top of all that, each student must be in his or her school’s orchestra or band program.

“It’s an extreme commitment,” Riya said. “I know it will take a lot of my time and attention, and it will be worthwhile.”

Riya began playing the violin when she was 7 years old, and the reason she began playing is a heartwarming one.

“I started playing violin because my older sister Diya selected violin as an instrument,” Riya said. “All my life, I’ve always been inspired by her.”

Another person who has inspired Riya is world-famous composer John Williams, the man behind some well-known scores in movies like Jaws, Star Wars and Harry Potter. Riya had the chance to meet Williams before his performance with the symphony earlier this month.

“Wow! What an honor and a dream come true to meet, watch and sit in a John Williams rehearsal,” Riya said. “He said that his favorite composition was for the movie E.T.”

Riya’s parents are also extremely proud of their daughter’s accomplishment.

“It gives us great joy to know she has been recognized for such a wonderful honor,” said Riya’s mother Sutapa Mitra. “We are amazed by her determination and effort and the way she always pushes herself to grow and learn.”