At Home with Sonia Wilson

I’m Sonia Wilson, first violin with Queensland Symphony Orchestra. I joined the Orchestra in November last year and while this is not exactly how I thought I’d be spending my first year with QSO, I’m trying to make the most of this unexpected free time.

Here’s my little corner of the living room where I like to practice. It’s rare to have this much time to work on my own things and not have to be preparing for a new program every week. I’ve been working through a lot of technical things, trying to fill some gaps, and hitting up my old pals Flesch, Capet, Schradieck and Gaviniès. I’m also learning a new concerto which is something I haven’t done for a few years now.

This is Missy, our family dog that I’m looking after while my parents are living in Scotland. We got her as a puppy when I was 15 so she’s very used to listening to me practice and mostly snores through it these days. 

I’ve always loved baking and have been using a lot of this time perfecting some of my favourite treats. I’ve totally nailed my banana bread, I’ve got a great collection of cookie recipes and I’m working on finding the fluffiest muffin now. I’ve also been trying out lots of different recipes and cooking styles that I don’t usually have the time for.

Hiking has always been my favourite form of exercise and I’m lucky to live at the base of Mt Coot-Tha where there are loads of great (dog-friendly) tracks, just a few minutes from my front door, where I can go to stretch my legs and clear my head. 

No rehearsal means lots of extra time for reading and I’m finally making a dent in my ‘to read’ list that’s been piling up the last few years. I just finished Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by Carlo Rovelli and am now working my way through the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch.