Such a Grand Morning

 

I'm a financial supporter of the Sarasota Orchestra.  

I believe them to be an outstanding regional orchestra.  

And I respond warmly to their principled support of musicians and staff during the Covid shutdown. 

Despite a lack of performances the S.O. paid 80% of their normal salary.

My financial support (it's not a huge amount) led to my admission to the S.O. Fermata Society.

That in turn led to an invitation to attend an open rehearsal (today).  The work was Beethoven's Eroica Symphony - a winner if there ever was one.

It was fascinating to see how the guest conductor  (David Alan Miller) teased out the best from the musicians, and how the musicians responded with various questions, nods, and smiles.

It was almost like viewing a mystical ceremony. 

I had a bonus.

The principal Cellist, Natalie Helm, lives in my community.

We sometimes see each other as we walk our dogs.

And there is the co-Principal Horn player.  His name is (no joke) Joshua Horne.  We also see each other from time to time as we walk our dogs at Arlington Park. His dog is called "Luke the Sky Barker"!

We saw each other at the break and had a good make up chat.

Best of all I had a lovely post rehearsal conversation with Sara Stovall.  You'll see above that she is the editor of the S.O. "Score"

That aside I know her best because she is the granddaughter of the estimable Joe Roop - a member of  a Thursday ZOOM conversation "Black Lives Matter"

Here are Sara and I on this wonderful morning.