Carter Rosen’s face lights up when he plays violin — I know this from experience, because he is my stand partner in the Stevens Orchestra. In addition to being the Assistant Concertmaster in the orchestra, he is also involved in the Audio Engineering Club, RGB Photography, and the Off Center improv group on campus. His hobbies include making short films, drawing, painting, and rock climbing. Carter is a first-year biomedical engineering major from Gillette, NJ.
Carter started playing violin when he was in second grade, which makes this his 11th year as a violinist. In addition to violin, Carter also sings and plays ukulele, mandolin, and bass. He even built a cajon, which is a box-shaped percussion instrument. Carter explains, “Whenever I’m stressed, I like to try out a new instrument or form of art.”
Carter is able to communicate largely through his music. Like words on a page, he is able to express himself through song. “Music is kind of like… poetry, without the need for words,” Carter says. “I can show people how I feel, and I can make them feel that same emotion. Playing on stage in front of 300 people with an orchestra behind me feels so powerful. It’s crazy having everyone’s eyes fixated on you, waiting for your art.”
When asked if he has any inspirational role models, Carter mentions Joshua Bell, one of the greatest violinists of all time. Carter recounts a time during one of Bell’s concerts when the violinist [Bell] had a nosebleed. “It was during my favorite piece of all time,” Carter remembers. “He kept playing, with all the blood on his neck and violin. It was pretty metal.”
Carter has played a vast number of pieces, including “The Four Seasons” by Vivaldi, and his favorite piece of all time, “Zigeunerweisen” by Pablo de Sarasate. He enjoys these pieces for different reasons — the Vivaldi for how expressive and fun they are to play and to listen to, and the Sarasate for its emotion and intensity. He adds, “That’s the one Bell played.”
While he enjoys classical repertoire, Carter is also a fan of more modern music. He includes Green Day and Radiohead as a few of his current favorite bands. In studying classical music, Carter has grown to appreciate all music, including romantic, punk, rap, and alternative.
While Stevens is a “tech school,” there are more musicians on campus than one might think. Carter adds, “The people here are fantastic. I think the people that music has connected me with makes it all worth it. I’ve never met a musician that was stupid; I think music does that to people. Maybe it’s the work ethic of practicing, or just the constant stimulation of the mind, but a musician is always a good study buddy.”
Many of Carter’s future goals include playing violin, whether that be for gigs for fancy parties in the city, playing electric violin in a rock band, or even street performing with a quartet in Central Park.
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