Another weekend has come and gone, and the work week is back in full swing. Sunday afternoon’s concert went well, too.  I ran into two former teachers/colleagues from Laurens 55 who had come for the concert, so it was great catching up with them.

I am always fascinated by the sound of a live orchestra. I love hearing how the music is constructed – how each instrument contributes a vital part to the overall whole.  There is just no way to get this sensation from a recording.  It’s also amazing how intricate symphony orchestration is.  I couldn’t image being able to blend and keep track of so many timbres.  Any time that I fancy myself a composer, all I have to do is spend some time with some REAL music.

WARNING – RANT AHEAD

It cost me $25 each to fill up both of our cars.  Gas is at the highest price it’s ever been.  I don’t give a flying flip about the fact that it’s “still relatively cheap given inflation.”  I’ll admit that I like to drive, and that we don’t conserve as much as we should.  However, we don’t drive huge honking gas-guzzling SUVs.  I just don’t understand the mindset of someone who things they NEED one of these things.  They don’t live on farms.  They don’t have to haul huge loads. They only get them because others have them, so they need to feel “safe”.

Speaking of “they”, I think I have turned into one of “them”.  No, not a gas-guzzzling SUV driver, but one of “those” musicians.  I used to detest first the Furman Singers, then the Greenville Chorale for the cliquish nature of the ensembles.  There was always a core “inside” group, and the attitudes that I saw were often one of superiority in vocal performances and elitism.  Here I find myself the vice-president of the Chorale, and a paid member of the elite Ensemble.  As I pondered my last post and criticisms of Surfer Dude, it occured to me that I had crossed that line.  He still bugs the hell out of me.