Concerts Galore!

Yesterday I went to the final concert of the San Diego Youth Symphony this season. It was great. They played Beethoven's 5th Symphony, Haydn Cello Concerto, Swan Lake and 1812 Overture. It brought back so many memories. I remember this time last year playing the final note of Stravinsky's Firebird and receiving a standing ovation. I was a mess. Eight years (well, nine if you count the year with a different director) of my life were over. If I had stayed through this year, I would have finished a decade yesterday.

My good friend, Meredith (fellow violist) after her last concert

But, leaving the orchestra, as hard as it was, opened new doors. Oklahoma was the major one. With every Saturday being filled with rehearsals, I wouldn't have been able to commit to an 8-show a week run. And I'm sure Oklahoma will open new doors as well. I look forward to the opportunity to play in future productions. Another door that was opened to me recently was the Orange County Mormon Choral Organization. I have been rehearsing with them the last 2 Saturdays (again, I wouldn't have been able to do that if I had been rehearsing with the youth symphony.) We have a concert coming up this Wednesday, June 11 at 7:30. It will be at the Orange County Performing ArtsCenter in Costa Mesa. It will feature 4 choirs and an orchestra (with me in the viola section) and we are playing some really fun music, such as Rhapsody in Blue, Shenandoah, Oh Susanna and Camptown Races. There will also be some original pieces and, of course the classic patriotic songs such as The Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful. Some of the pieces gave me goosebumps during this last rehearsal. I think it's gonna be really good and I'm super excited.

You can find out more information and purchase tickets at:
http://www.ocpac.org/home/Events/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=787&NavID=82

It would mean so much to me if I had friends in the audience. It's always fun to play for someone you know rather than all strangers. And if you do decide to come, let me know so I don't leave without saying hi. Or you could just surprise me at the stage door after the concert. Either way, I hope to see you there!