So I meant to write a post about orchestra. I wrote part of it, never published it, and my plethora of fans complained.
My apologies.
There's a ton of orchestral projects going on this semester. Some people are in many, some people aren't in any at all. During the first week, I found out I wasn't assigned to any of them and begged Louise to sneak me in one. And that Wednesday evening, I found an email in my inbox describing the rehearsal timetable for the symphony orchestra. I flipped out a little after I found out rehearsals started the next morning and I was expected to have already collected my music from the orchestral office and bowed the parts. After misreading the timetable and showing up to a violin sectional, I visited Ed in the orchestral office to get my part.
I described to him how I was a little overwhelmed by the sudden work load and pleaded, is there another project I can do?
"Louise came to me and said she had this violist who was only here for the term who wants to do everything."
Well, yes. That's true.
He assured me Symphony was the best possible project. It's the senior players. They play in symphony hall. The project only last a few weeks, etc.
Fun fact: inside and outside chairs here are swapped in the viola section. First chair sits closest to the second violins.
I'm glad I participated. We played a bizarre program, Bantok's Pagan Symphony (yeah good luck looking that one up), Britten's Young Person's Guide, and Berlioz Roman Carnival Overture (viola excerpts, represent!...)
The conductor was funny, the concertmaster wore American flag sneakers, my stand partner was adorable, I made many new friends, and I just had a great time.
Unfortunately, I was sick all week of the performances. "Freshers flu" or just a nasty cold. Which sucked. Big time. But I made it through the week, and Ed says I can make up all missed rehearsals by participating in the next project: Composers Orchestra.
"I'd love to."
