Proof somebody listens to me

(if not the junior Primary children at church)

Last spring my orchestra’s programming committee sent out an email requesting suggestions for upcoming concerts.  Now, they always take requests, but they sounded a little more pleading than usual so I responded with several pieces I’d love to play.  I got a nomination to be on the programming committee after that, so was that the real reason for the plea?  I don’t know, but I wasn’t in need of any more commitments and another cellist seemed much more anxious to be on the committee, so I let her go for it.

Anyhow, I was pleased to see that they programmed one of my suggestions for our next concert: Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture or “Fingal’s Cave.”

Of course I was complaining about it on Monday night while I was practicing.  DH said, “Weren’t you the one who requested this piece?”  Well, yes, but I’d forgotten how many 16th notes were in it!  But I was happy to see that my practice paid off (slightly) when I got back to rehearsal on Tuesday night.  There’s still a long way to go, but I’ve got three and a half weeks, and I’m actually excited to practice again.  I never could muster up the enthusiasm for our last concert.  It was a rather grueling program, which you’d think would spur me on to practice a bit more, but I had a hard time getting into it.

So I’m looking forward to our next concert.  In addition to the Mendelssohn, we’re doing Debussy’s Nocturnes, which I’ve also played before, and Saint-Saens’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso with Jenny Oaks Baker as the violin soloist.**

I also requested Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and we’ve found a willing choir so that’s on the schedule!  I’d heard rumors we were doing it, but it never hurts to put in another plug for it.  The 9th is on my list of music to play before I die.  It’s at the top of my list actually.  (Remind of that in March when I’m stressing out over Beethoven!)  We’ve also got Brahms’ Symphony #1 and Elgar’s Enigma Variations programmed in April and May respectively.  Those are some pretty big works scheduled one right after the other, but it is so good to play in an orchestra that can actually tackle pieces like these.

Tuesday nights are hectic around here between DH’s work, dinner, cub scouts (which requires picking up and dropping off several boys in our ward who don’t have rides), and then orchestra rehearsal.  DH and I hardly see each other so he’s started driving me to orchestra after scouts.  Then when he comes back without the boys at 9:45, we have what we’re calling our “Ten-minute dates.”  Sometimes we just drive home and talk.  But last week we stopped for root beer floats on the way home, and last night we came home to have hot chocolate and cookies together.  Sad to say, that’s about our most regular date lately, but it’s been fun to look forward to having those few minutes together after a long day.

Today’s been a long day too, and tomorrow’s going to be even longer.  More on that later.  For now, let’s just keep repeating, “I’m glad DH has a job, I’m glad DH has a job, I’m glad…”

**Next concert: Saturday, Nov. 12, at Libby Gardner Hall.  As always, if you’re in the area and are interested, I can get you half-price ($5) tickets if you let me know by Nov. 11 before 6 p.m.