Symphony

It's concert time again!  Tomorrow the Idaho Falls Symphony will be putting on their Red Dress Concert.  We'll be playing Bizet's Carmen suite (I know you have all heard of it because everyone has heard the Toreador song!), Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun (if you're a wind player you love this song, if you're a string player....not so much), and Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade.  If you don't know these pieces, I think you should look them up because they're all very cool! 

During our dress rehearsal tonight, I was thinking about how much I love to play in a symphony.  That was one thing that made me really sad about graduating, that I would have as many opportunities to play in a professional-type orchestra.  Luckily, I found the IF Symphony!  They play at about the same level as the college (which from what David tells me, for a community orchestra is pretty rare) and I have so much fun.  I'll be sad when we move away because I probably won't be able to find these types of opportunities.  I know life will kick in and I'll get busy with other things, but I hope I'll always find time and opportunities to play.  I know that right now I would probably have an easier time finding a job or getting more hours at the job I have if I didn't play, but I couldn't do that.  I would be unhappy because I wouldn't be able to do one of the only things that really makes me feel accomplished. 

When I play, I like to imagine scenes where this music would fit, kind of like in movies.  It helps me get in the right mood and feel for the piece.  I try to get into the music and forget about how I look when I play or what others may think of mistakes I make.  I especially love concerts.  I think I always have.  I love to get all dressed up and do my hair fancy.  I love seeing everyone all dressed up, especially the men in their tux's.  Someday I'll be able to afford a really nice black dress I can wear to concerts!  I think I like concerts because that's when you can play the music without having to worry about the conductor stopping you and everyone (for the most part) is prepared and knows what to do and you can just dive into the music.  Often during concerts, I forget there is even an audience there.  Of course, then I remember they are and I get nervous, but then it goes away again and I can just be myself.  When I play, it is one of the few times I feel graceful and at least somewhat talented.

I don't feel like that when I play a solo.  I'm not a solo player...too much pressure... but I would play in a symphony any day.  I just wanted to share those thoughts because I was thinking about them all tonight.  I'm glad we have 2 more concerts after this!  So come tomorrow night and listen to some great musicians!  It's going to be a fun night!