Rusty Musicians BSO Concert - anyone?
Anyone playing in the "Rusty Musicians" BSO concert in September? Any advice from previous players?
Replies (19)
I started a discussion on the same topic. See www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm. Does anyone know whether/how we can combine them?
I played in last week's Rusty Musician's concert with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO). All I can say is that I had a real blast playing with members of the BSO. I hadn't played in an orchestral setting in over 25+ years! I was a bit nervous at first, but Maestra Marin Alsop made it a lot of fun for us; she has a great sense of humor! I received my acceptance notice on my birthday - it was the best gift I received this year! My wife, two daughters, and close friends finally got to see me play with the pros! And since then, my wife hasn't complained about my practicing!
Congrats P-A - I think everyone here (er, except perhaps those that do this for a living ;) ) can relate to what a thrill that must have been. Was Smiley there too?
Smiley didn't do it this time. John did - with the violins, and I sat with the violas once again.
I have to say that it was every bit as fun and exciting as the first time. What an experience to hear the sounds of the instruments alive and singing around you in a perfect acoustic setting - played by professionals. It was as though you morphed into one of them...enveloped by the sound that seemed alive but at the same time a controlled sort of power.
All of the weeks I spent practicing and slaving over the pieces paid off. To say the experience was exhilarating would be an understatement. My stand partner was wonderful, and offered very kind, constructive criticism after the performance. During the performance, I felt as though I was the VIOLA GODDESS OF THE UNIVERSE.
--Ann Marie
I'd love to join if i can and the pieces are within my skill level.
What piece did you play and when is the next one?
Marc -
We played the Brahms Academic Festival Overture and the Firebird Suite (1919 version). As to when the next one will be, I'm afraid that would be up to Marin Alsop.
---Ann Marie
@Viola Goddess,
I'm sorry I missed you guys this year -- too much going on with my piano trio and my personal repertoire. Maybe next time.
We missed you too, Smiley! I know you are working on a huge personal project, and I wish you the best on that.
Nevertheless, you would have loved the evening with the Symphony; we even got 'dived-bombed' by a huge moth bent on causing as much trouble as it could during rehearsal. While rehearsing, all the first violins suddenly became quiet, and a second later, the second violins. From the violas, we were straining to see what was happening, and could only see bows waving about in the air. That's when Maestra Alsop stopped conducting as she was dive-bombed by the moth, who then went after the horns, and finally, the bass section.
This moth was CRAZY and big. It had no fear of being swatted by a bow, and some musicians even tried to grab it out of the air. Eventually, it left us alone and we finished up.
Hope to see you the next time.
---Ann Marie
Ann Marie, I see that you were also with the 9:00 P.M. group too. Yeah, that moth was huge! I wonder what happened to it...
I think the clarinetist sitting near me got it......
---Ann Marie
The BSO is doing their 3rd Rusty Musician event this Thursday (April 14). On the agenda is Sibelius Finlandia and Tchaikovsky March Slav. I'll be joining the first violins at 8 PM. Anybody else taking part?
I wish they would come up with a different name for the event. One day my tombstone will read, "Here lies Smiley Hsu, husband, father, and rusty violinist." :-)
You're right about the name change. I'm certainly not a "Rusty". I haven't had the long term experience playing yet to be a "Rusty". I'm probably in the category of "wanna be".
---Ann Marie
Resurrecting this thread for this year:
Who's going this year? (It's this Wednesday.)
I'm playing in both group 1 and 2.
I'm curious about the chamber music track. When they say 'groups led by BSO musicians' does that mean they're playing in the group or just coaching/directing it?
I'm not sure. I had assumed that they would be playing in the groups, since the program in general is side-by-side oriented.
I had a blast playing tonight, so I think I'm definitely going to do the summer academy unless work circumstances force otherwise. I even got to be on the front stand (with Madeline Adkins, who was serving as concertmaster this evening), and thus got to share the solos in the Nutcracker. :-)
Rusty Musicians just need oiling ...
I, too, had a blast! Great to see you there Lydia.
My stand partner was an amazing musician who went over what she considered the "tricky" parts before we started. She told me wonderful stories about playing in the days of Heifetz and Piatigorski, at which point I took a double take. I thought she was in her youthful mid-forties ~ and she was actually 69! When I asked about her magic formula of diet and exercise, her response was: the music keeps me young.
I am definitely signing up for the BSO 2015 summer academy and, despite it only being a short commute for me, I'll plan to stay in the Peabody Hotel, with the other musicians. What a great way to spend a week, with a wonderful orchestra in a delightful city, accompanied by so many enthusiatic amateur musicians ~ and with so many new restaurants to check out.
thanks Lydia. That's what I thought..... and now that I think about it I do recall reading the blogs of 2 amateur musicians who had participated in past years & one of them did chamber music. What a wonderful opportunity. Maybe you & Eric (and anyone else who participated) would consider writing up a blog entry here about your experience for us vicarious….umm…livers!?
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August 6, 2010 at 12:05 PM ·
Jack -
I'm checking in here from the violas. I did it last year and had the best time of my life. I'm in again this year. What would you like to know?
---Ann Marie