The viola and the hammer or 20 lb. weight, used to throw in track & field, couldn't be more polar opposites. One has the ability to give rest and relaxation to its audience, while the others command attention and excitement and power. The viola is played in a gentle way, whereas the hammer and weight are required to be thrown in an aggressive manner. When both are considered instruments, however; their worlds collide and similarities emerge when the same person performs them. Lydia Frangos is that person!

"I started to play the violin when I was six years old because my older sister had been playing for years and I wanted to be like her," says Lydia.

Wanting to follow in her sister's footsteps, the young Lydia began attending preparatory school at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. During one of her critiques by her instructor, she was told she "plays the violin like a viola". This prompted Lydia to find a track to success of her own. She made the switch from the violin to the viola and found her path in music.

Like sports, as Lydia got older and more advanced in orchestra levels, she was required to try out musically. Those selected at the New England Conservatory of Music, are then assigned a "chair" with the top two orchestras selected to go on international tours. Lydia's talent landed her on not one, but two international tours!

She and her orchestra traveled around the countries of Greece and Costa Rica, playing concerts in each large city, while also practicing and sight-seeing. In Costa Rica, Lydia merged orchestras with a professional symphony and played with them for two concerts.

"It was a great experience to be able to play side by side with professional musicians. It was amazing to learn so much about the different cultures and have such great audiences."

Lydia's ability to balance both music and track & field at high levels has followed her to RPI, where she has played the viola for the RPI Orchestra and has excelled in the hammer and weight throws.
Music and track have also helped Lydia broaden her perspective on life as they have afforded her the opportunity to play with people of all ethnicities. She believes that like playing sports, playing music keeps people well-rounded and provides a creative outlet for expression.

While Lydia thoroughly enjoys throwing the hammer and appreciates what she gains from track, she sees music as an important tool - a unifier.

"I've always found it amazing that no matter what language someone speaks, music is written in a universal one."

Lydia believes that playing in orchestras, and participating in track & field makes you appreciate other peoples' talents and work through the weakness of others. Being in musical groups are ultimately team-building experiences just like track, and Lydia Frangos is ever so grateful to experience both!

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