Memorable Moments in May

Surviving the experience as "the lone cellist" at orchestra the night when the other cellists were both absent

A compliment that same night on my playing from first violinist R

Maestro instructing me to "die faster" on the final note of Venturing Through the House, one of the original horror movie pieces we'll be recording (more info on that to follow in a future blog entry)

The pick-up for my tuner allowing me to tune at orchestra without interference, even while "Yoda" is warming up on his oboe

Bumping into fellow cellist A at the diner one Saturday night after a local concert

Feeling good about taking a much-needed break from my cello lesson this week

Mother's Day Weekend Highlights***

***Attending a BBQ Saturday evening at my daughter's new home: "The Little Ranch on the Hill"

***Opening a special gift from my daughter: a basket filled with my favorite things -- vanilla lotions and soap, a DVD of the movie 13 Going on 30, some favorite snacks, and lots of desk supplies, to include a big box of Crayola (yes, crayons. They come in handy to touch up nicks in furniture ... and cellos!)

***Being treated as a guest in my daughter's home

***Being treated by my husband to a special breakfast (bacon too!) and another BBQ dinner here at home

***Spending some time with my son who was visiting from Philly

***Opening the present of sheet music that he wrote for an original cello and piano duet of Wish I Could by Norah Jones from her album Not Too Late which he labeled "arranged by P for Mom"

***Playing the above on the cello with my son accompanying on piano

***Playing the cello part of Girl From Ipanema with my son improvising on piano and my husband playing the trombone part

***Knowing at "goodbye time" last night that my son will be returning in 2 weeks for Memorial Weekend

Orchestra oxymorons

"I'm going to slow down faster."

Last night our conductor said that in all seriousness as he was explaining how he would be conducting one of the tempo changes in the Annie medley we're playing. Well, I guess it does make some sense.

"Don't pay attention to me."

Maestro actually said that when he miscounted and called out the wrong measure number while we were playing. Maybe not a true oxymoron, but definitely a contradiction of what a conductor is all about. And definitely cause for a good laugh at the time.

Back in the Saddle Again

Orchestra rehearsals resumed last Thursday after spring break. There's sheet music strewn all over my dining room, and I'm loving it. We got the playlist for the next concert and copies of all the music.

The good news: Most of the pieces are within my reach this time.
The bad news: "The Glow Worm" is back on the agenda.

In the midst of my music meltdown 2 weeks prior to the spring concert I'd neglected to mention that "Glow Worm" had been removed from our spring concert repertoire following our "eh" rehearsal, (see Practicing ... NOT!!!! Ranting ... yes.), but S had said that we'd get back to it for the next concert, as well as recycle a few others that we'd just played.

So I've been practicing diligently since the spring concert and have considerably upped my daily practice sessions over the past 2 weeks. During this time I've made scales and lesson material as much of a priority as orchestra music, and I intend to keep the momentum going.

Our next concert is outdoors (weather permitting) has a patriotic theme, and will be held on July 3, just 4 days before my daughter's wedding.

Maestro Musings

Flashback: orchestra rehearsal one week before our spring concert

Maestro, in a jovial mood, starts a mock rant about what he'll do if the audience claps between movements of the Karelia Suite. He contemplates a caveat in the program, but is immediately warned by Ms. B that this would be rude. He then threatens that he'll throw his baton out into the audience. He pretends to toss it … wildly whips the stick around in a zig-zagging motion and continues with the rant until Ms. B has had enough and interrupts with "OK, Zorro." Maestro playfully corrects her by saying "That's Obi-one Kenobi." Some people chuckle. She stares inquisitively, then spurts out, "WHAT?" Maestro replies, "Star Wars." Ms. B stares, still dumbfounded, then quickly quips "I-don't-know-what-that-is." ... total silence for a second ... then a roar of laughter.

Well, maybe you had to be there, but it was really funny at the time, and it's one of those moments I wanted to document so I can savor it from time to time. During that next week my husband (trombone player) and I frequently joked about it and playfully assigned different Star Wars characters to some of the orchestra members.

Fast forward: just after the horrendous dress rehearsal the night before the concert

I returned to the almost empty orchestra room to get my coat, after having packed up my cello out in the hallway, and overheard the end of a conversation my husband was having with the Maestro. Perhaps in an attempt to lighten the mood, my husband was saying, "so if H is Yoda, and T is Hans Solo, then who is Darth Vador … ?

Last week Maestro’s global email was signed "May the Force be With You."