Kline plays way into hearts of MHS

MHS+Chamber+Orchestra+pose+for+a+picture+after+winning+a+one+rating+at+State+Festival+this+year.+Morgan+Kline+is+the+first+chair+violinist+in+the+group+and+has+been+for+a+number+of+years.+

MHS Chamber Orchestra pose for a picture after winning a one rating at State Festival this year. Morgan Kline is the first chair violinist in the group and has been for a number of years.

Natalie Maas, Reporter

7-year-old Morgan Kline listened in awe as her older sister gracefully played the violin. The music flowed smoothly off the strings and resounded beautifully throughout the living room of their home. Her heart swelled as if the music was a part of the blood flowing through her veins, giving her a new meaning to life. That was the moment she knew she wanted to perform.

Ten years later, as a senior, Kline is Monroe High School’s top violinist. She has been the orchestra’s concertmaster – first chair, first violin – for at least part of each year of her high school career. She leads her fellow violinists and helps them practice their parts for upcoming concerts and festivals.

One of these concerts was the State Festival during her junior year. The Monroe High Orchestra was competing as a group, which Kline said can make things more comfortable, but also more stressful because not everyone agrees on everything. Everyone’s nerves are on edge as the festival draws closer; people are exhausted from practicing every free chance they get. Everyone is afraid of failure.

The nerves rose to a peak when the group arrived at the festival. All the students knew that the other orchestras there were more than good; they were masterful. A lot of them were rich, private schools that had flawless instruments and professional players as directors. Kline knew her orchestra was as prepared as they possibly could be, but could they really compete with those schools?

When Monroe’s performance time came, everyone in the group was panicking and showing it in different ways. Kline said, “Some were slap happy and others weren’t talking at all.” They entered the stage and took their seats, dead silent. They sat straighter than rulers and tried to be as organized and professional as possible. The stage lights shone brightly, making some sweat under the heat and the pressure of the moment. The judges awaited the performance quietly.

The group held their bows cautiously above the strings of their instruments, waiting for the cue to begin. Kline said she was proud of her orchestra; they played fairly well in her opinion, with “only a few nervous slip-ups.” She said the performance flew by, with little time to think about the next note or worry about any minor mistakes made. Exiting the stage, she felt a weight lifted off her shoulders. The hard part was over.

Out in the lobby, Monroe and other groups waited impatiently for their ratings from the judges. Five, ten, twenty minutes later and the projector showed the results: A one! Earning a one – a superior rating – was a huge deal. Kline said she felt amazing.

“Everyone was super excited and people were jumping into each other’s arms and all the stress was lifted from the room. It was a really intense feeling,” Kline said.

The excitement lasted a long time – almost a month, Kline recalled. Everyone was in shock because they never expected to do so well. The orchestra was finally recognized throughout the school, which rarely happens. Kline was ecstatic.

“I think we felt more like a group after that experience. The hard work and struggles were what brought us together,” Kline said.

Kline truly enjoys creating music – and she has a talent for it. Like many others, she finds it relaxing. Once she gets past the nerves of performing, music is her best escape from the world.

Throughout the years, Kline has found inspiration in her family and friends. She has made many friends through Monroe’s orchestra programs.

“My sister played violin, which I thought was pretty cool. Then, when I decided to start playing, my dad started making violins, which made me play even more,” Kline said.

The majority of Kline’s proudest accomplishments and favorite hobbies revolve around her talent as a violinist. The State Festival was not her first – or last – major achievement.

“I do a lot with it. I’m in the Praise Band at my church. I’ve been to States multiple times, and I got one ratings. I’m also in Chamber Orchestra,” Kline said.

Kline would like to continue playing in college and afterwards. She plans to become a high school or college band or orchestra director.