Time is Relative

January 18, 2008 at 11:16 PM

In some ways, two years seems like a long time ago. In other ways it doesn't. Two years ago tomorrow was the day that my family and I moved to Germany. That seems like a long time ago. For many months - years even! - I felt like I got this e-mail a long time ago:

Fear not! This is not public information but we have booked Josh for January 2008. So your wish has already come true.

That e-mail, referring to Joshua Bell, was sent to me by the manager of the Kansas City Symphony in January of 2006. Of course I have been anticipating this concert a long time and, so far, I don't see how things can get better!

Yesterday was a snow day which made it the perfect opportunity to shadow at the symphony. Since I'm sure I don't want to be an orchestral musician, but I do want to be involved in music, I thought the business side of the symphony would be a good place to scout for potential jobs. I had shadowed previously and many people there know of my scheme to get classical music (via Joshua Bell) on Oprah. Knowing I am a Bell fan, they sent me to his hotel with someone who works at the symphony to pick him up! I was surprised the trusted me with such a task, but it was fun. Just being backstage at the symphony is such a blast. You wouldn't believe how much all the non-musician symphony workers do. Of course, being around a famous violinist was fun too, albeit a bit intimidating.

KCS backstage picture from a previous shadowing. Michael Stern (who happens to be Isaac Stern's son) is almost ready to begin rehearsal.

Today, Karin Lin flew in from California! Her parents live in Kansas, so she timed her visit to see them with Joshua Bell's concert. Today was special because the symphony was giving an open rehearsal for music students. The principal at my school doesn't like the orchestra going on field trips for some reason, but I felt it was my duty to get my peers to that rehearsal. I was especially adamant because I have been extolling Joshua Bell a lot for the last two years. I came up with a plan my principal couldn't possibly refuse (it involved the middle school, no subs, and "gifted" teachers... I'll leave out the details), and it worked! Needless to say, we all had a lot of fun and Karin and I went backstage afterwards.

The funny thing is, there hasn't even been a concert yet. Looking forward to tomorrow....

From Ruth Kuefler
Posted on January 19, 2008 at 4:19 AM

Aw, how fun Sydney! I'm sure it was awesome to see all that behind the scenes action. ;) And you got to pick up Joshua Bell?? I'm jealous. :)

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on January 19, 2008 at 11:57 AM

It sounds like a lot of fun to be backstage. I wish I could do it, too.

From Sydney Menees
Posted on January 21, 2008 at 6:16 PM

Haha! 'Twas fun.

From Karin Lin
Posted on January 22, 2008 at 4:33 AM

psst...Syd, aren't you going to upload the pics of us in our matching V.com T-shirts? ;)

From Sydney Menees
Posted on January 22, 2008 at 10:59 PM

Yes ma'am! They are on the other computer, so we'll have to wait a bit...

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