I'm 24, female, have been playing the violin for about 12 years and viola for a bit less. Never taken any grades on them, somewhat oddly for someone registering on an ABRSM forum - I just don't like the idea of exams, and I shake terribly when playing in front of an audience, so I play purely for fun. Did A level music a few years ago, but then did my Bachelors and Masters degrees in philosophy; have now realised I want to study music some more, so currently contemplating starting the OU MA in music in 2008!
I used to play the clarinet until about 10 years ago (got to the dizzy heights of grade 3!
), when I gave it up because I preferred the violin...have recently restarted clarinet using a cheapy Yamaha off Ebay, and am finding it difficult to play for longer than a few minutes at a time due to lack of practice (oh, and then there's the horrible squeaking sound that comes out of the thing...I blame the reed! 
).Anyway, that's me - I hope to stick around these parts. Also, if anyone here knows of any amateur orchestras/ensembles/other fun musical type groups in the York area that are accepting (bad) players, please let me know! The only ones I've found look scarily out of my league...
