Skip to main content

The Labor Day Concert

Our orchestra performed our Labor Day concert at the park last night, and I didn't humiliate myself. In fact, I think I played fairly well. I had small solos in three or four numbers and the horn section in general had quite a few prominent parts. I'm not sure I led the others very well, but I at least played my own part correctly, most of the time. I screwed up Mendelssohn's Wedding March pretty well, but I'm sure the audience didn't notice.

When I play with this orchestra, my goal is to at least not miss a major entrance or hit the wrong note coming in, and I succeeded this time around. Of course it's important to watch the conductor for tempos, and sometimes he'll ask you to play softer or louder, but I watch him to get his reaction as well. When a soloist plays poorly, he'll scowl a bit or smile sympathetically. But if a soloist plays well, he'll beam and direct with such gusto you can't help but play with even more heart. Well, that's the reaction I have anyway.

When I first started learning to play the horn, I took occasional lessons from a woman who teaches children. She taught me on that level, the level of a ten year old, and I was so grateful for her patience. She plays trumpet in the orchestra, and during the intermission, she told me how well I was playing and said, I "really stepped up" to the job. That meant the world to me and I think gave me permission to play confidently in the second half, just in time for a medley from Phantom of the Opera with lots of little solos and bold horn calls that aren't well suited to timid players.

So, while I did not play the entire concert perfectly and basically sat out for about half of Stars and Stripes Forever (shhh, don't tell the conductor), I was pleased. I'm glad the whole thing is over, but I'm also glad I got the chance to be acting principal at least once. I think it will make me a more confident player when I get my regular seat back in the fall.

On another note, happy Labor Day to everyone. I'll spend the evening at an Indian's game in Cleveland. I'm not a big baseball fan, but I do enjoy the spectacle at the stadium. Eustacia's college marching band will be playing the National Anthem before the game, so we'll at least see her from a distance.

Comments

dive said…
Woohoo! Well played, Robyn!
Congratulations on a successful debut as acting principal. Here's to more of them coming your way.

And Happy Labor Day!
"Go Indians" (or whatever you shout in America) and a huge cheer for Eustacia's band!
12:42 PM
Alifan said…
Well done Robyn we all knew you could do it..now you know you could as well.................
3:58 AM
Cheltenhamdailyphoto said…
Well done Robyn! Sounds fun.
6:41 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Classic Green Bean Bake

In anticipation of Thanksgiving, I feel I must post a recipe with plenty of good old American tradition. The classic Green Bean Bake was invented in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly, a home economist who worked for the Campbell's Soup Company. A study was done determining that 50% of all Americans have eaten the classic Green Bean Bake, and 38% of those believe it is best served during the holidays, mainly Thanksgiving. So, for the other 50% and for those in other countries where this dish may be unfamiliar--my treat: The Classic Green Bean Bake serves 6 to 8 1 can Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup 1/2 cup milk 1 teaspoon soy sauce Dash of fresh pepper 1 20-oz. bag frozen cut green beans, thawed* 1 2.8 oz can French-fried onions -Preheat the oven to 350 F -In a casserole dish, combine the soup, milk, soy sauce and pepper. Stir in the green beans and half of the onions. -Bake until bubbling, about 25 minutes. Top with the remaining onions and bake for 5 more minutes. Serve hot. *Or cook 1 ...
7 comments
Read more

Bring On the Bombs

In today's edition : I generally try to keep on top of cultural trends even if I don’t adopt them, but there is a growing movement that I have only just discovered. Not long ago, I was walking along in Berkeley, California while visiting my daughter, and I saw a signpost that had been covered with yarn, like someone had sewn a knitted scarf to it. It was colorful and randomly striped, and I pointed it out as if it were the most unusual thing in the world. That’s when my daughter explained the nature of what is known as yarn bombing. It’s when knitters attach something they’ve created to a public object, most often doing their deed stealthily and anonymously. They leave a “bomb,” so to speak, for no other purpose than to brighten up the place and to bring a little cheer to those passing by. Their work has been equated with graffiti, except that the woven yarn is not permanently installed and does no damage to the object it covers. And instead of signifying the territory of a street ...
2 comments
Read more

Cindy Loo Who In October

What is it with people and Cindy Loo Who? Of my last one hundred blog hits, forty have been direct visits from regular readers, and fifteen have been as a result of people searching for "Cindy Loo Who," the little pixie from Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas . A couple of years ago, I posted an image of the original Seuss illustration as compared to the TV cartoon image, and for some reason, that post is bringing in the crowds, relatively. Maybe it's the weather. It isn't even November yet, and already we've had frost and have had to dust off our winter coats. When it gets cold like this, I start to think about Christmasy things like listening to Nat King Cole and decorating the tree. It's ironic because I am offended when retailers start pushing holiday stuff early, but I don't mind my own private celebrations. When my sister and I were much younger and still living with our parents, we would pick a day in July, close the curtains to darken the ...
8 comments
Read more