french.connections
We’re a community orchestra, and we have as many different walks of life as we do interests. We’re lawyers, we’re engineers, we’re retired, we’re working long hours, in the end, we’re working to dive into music and learn all there is to learn—together—and to have fun doing it. We’re an orchestra that, like many others, has made music a part of our lives and we’re fascinated by how versatile it is and how well it fits in most any aspect of our it.
On a last-minute (last-second?) business trip, I found myself frantically writing the personnel manager saying I won’t be able to make it to the rehearsal because, well, business was calling. I was on my way to Paris, which just so very neatly ran in parallel to our upcoming concert of all-French music. It was perhaps a business trip but it seemed all too great of an opportunity to learn about the culture and perhaps try and see if any insight can work its way into the music and how we look at each phrase. Music really is a part of our lives, and I think it’s safe to say this orchestra is quite passionate about it too.
After riding taxis through city streets, listening to the noises and surrounding conversations, the music began to make sense. I could hear “Bolero” by Ravel in the occasional honking of horns in Paris, I could hear the more delicate moments of the Concerto on the walks to get lunch. The whole experience was bringing the music to life and by the time I was on the flight home, I couldn’t wait to get back into playing. Yes, no matter where we go or what we do, this orchestra has music in our bones :)
This past weekend, satisfying my addiction to French films, I attended the Midnight Madness screening of “Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain” at the Egyptian Theatre and was pleased to see a poster for next week’s concert. Yes, it’s definitely been a very French past few weeks and for the time being, the immersion in French culture continues.
I do invite you to join us on the 15th to immerse yourself in a little bit of it too :)
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