November 21, 2016

  • Looking at Musical Chairs

    Last week for all its turmoil was filled with several fun events. Son#2 plays with the IUSB Philharmonic. He usually is very secretive about the public performances. In fact we usually don't find out about them until the day before, if we are lucky. He told us the date last month, nearly 6 weeks in advance. That was unusual in itself but he really sent my "mom senses" into overdrive when he casually asked if we would attend. I told him I would put it on the calendar. Fast forward to the beginning of this month when he had us over for dinner (and to pay the rent). He reminds us that his concert performance is coming up. At this point I am fairly certain that something unusual is going on. I tell him that we wouldn't miss it for the world.

    The concert time arrives and we take our seats. Opening the program we peruse the list of music being presented before turning the page. It is all some of my favorite composers (although Bayolo is new to me, I had to wonder about the names of the sections in his composition - it could be entertaining).
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    Turning the page I read down the list of instrumentalists to find son#2's name. They are arranged by instrument and are listed in order by the "chair" they hold. To my delight, son#2 is first violist! So the mystery is solved! My suspicions were confirmed. He isn't one to crow about his achievements so his not so subtle hints that we really needed to attend this concert were his way of telling us the good news.

    In addition to that we were able to see him playing (he was in the first row). I am especially proud of the way the viola section interacted before the performance and afterwards. Where the violins were like an armed camp, the violas were a team. Son#2 made sure the newer musicians had their music in order and that everyone's chairs were arranged so that they could see the conductor. There was one violin (2nd chair) who was trying very hard to watch the conductor but her stand partner (3rd chair) kept moving the stand so that she had to look and sit at an odd angle to see the music. Sad. The violas all congratulated each other on good performances and chatted about plans as they were gathering their music before leaving the stage. The violins were stony faced and looked unhappy. When I asked about it, son#2 shrugged and said that's just how they are. No wonder they have to import violinists from the SBSO to fill out the violin section!

    Anyway I was very pleased that son#2 did so well and even had fun playing, especially the Dvorak. I saw him smile as he was playing the last piece...

Comments (14)

  • Congratulations to Son #2! Your mom sense was right on target.

  • Congratulations to son #2! As first violinist, can he lead the violins to emulate the violas?

    • Nope. He is first violist not first violinist. He had to play the violin 2 semesters ago and really hated the competitive dog-eat-dog mentality among the violins. Something he experienced at Ball State in the violin section and thought it was so counter productive to the goal of the orchestra.

  • Congratulations to your son. Were you able to take him out for ice cream or something to celebrate after the concert?

    • No he had an "after party" to attend with all his orchestra friends. He will be over on Thanksgiving and maybe I can get him to give me a private recital after everyone has departed.

  • I'm listening to Bayolo's "St. Luke's Summer"as I type this. Quite listenable! Couldn't find Cancionero Mudo on YouTube. (I already knew I loved the Dvorak and Mozart works.) Thanks for the tip!

    • Of many of the contemporary composers, he is more accessible than most. Although he does like the alternative tempos and a bit of dissonance, his pieces do have that special quality that makes them pleasant to hear. Glad you are enjoying it.

  • Oh, how I wish I could have been there too! I will send him a note of congratulations for being 1st chair violist! To be honest, I've always liked the viola's more mellow sound than that of the violin which sometimes is not as sweet and can be harder on those of us who wear hearing aids!!!

    • As soon as his senior recital is scheduled, I'll let you know. Maybe you can come for a little visit and attend that performance. He has to do a solo!

  • You have every right to be a proud mama!
    Congratulations to him, and to his parents!

  • I must admit I am not familiar with your son's instrument so much go research that. I've not had the pleasure of a live concert either coming from a very small community whose entertainment was bands during the Fair. :-)

    Congratulations to your son.

    • Thanks! The viola is a bit larger than a violin with a lower note range and not as high a note limit. It has a more resonant sound compared to the "bright" notes of a violin. It sits between the violin and the cello as far as size (and also usually sits physically in front of the cellos and across from the violins).

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