Viola
The accompanying picture notwithstanding, Julian Pranata does play viola (da braccio) with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and has been doing so since 2002. His formal education includes earning degrees from Oberlin College (in chemistry!), Missouri State University, and the University of Memphis (both in viola performance), while his performing experience includes playing viola or violin with the Fort Smith Symphony (as principal viola), the Springfield (MO) Symphony, the Missouri Chamber Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of the Ozarks, the Jackson (TN) Symphony, the North Mississippi (formerly Tupelo) Symphony, and the South Arkansas Symphony. From time to time he has also taken part in chamber music performances.
And what about the viola da gamba (pictured)? Oh, yeah, Julian plays that too. He is passionately interested in early music, particularly that of the late Baroque (Bach and his contemporaries). As a gambist, Julian was part of a continuo group that accompanied Vanderbilt University's Collegium Vocale for performances of Heinrich Schutz's "German Requiem" in Memphis and Nashville. He also performed one of Haydn's baryton trios at Hendrix College with fellow ASO musicians Karen Griebling and Daniel Cline.
