Without question, autumn in Canada is my favourite time of year. The summer heat dissipates, the bugs go inside for the winter, the scent of pumpkin spice is in the air, football season begins, hoodies come out of the closet, and of course our students come back into our music classrooms for another year of learning. It is the time of year where many of us in the education world feel refreshed and ready for a new start.

And yet, autumn also represents a time of change. When the leaves start to change colour and fall off the tree. There is a melancholy sadness that happens each year with the arrival of the first snow, and there is something magically about walking in the woods amongst the vibrant coloured leaves that is unlike anything else you can experience all year. A nature walk on a sunny, cool day in late September is sheer perfection.

(THIRD VIOLIN PARTS TO DOUBLE VIOLA ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST)