Nov. 8, 2022
Today’s the day!!! It’s my first ever college orchestra concert!!!
So many emotions are going through my head right now. I’m feeling anxious because I don’t want to mess up tonight. I’m feeling happy because I have some friends, family and some teachers watching me as well. I try to pull myself together, but I know that this concert would be dedicated to my grandmother. It’s been over a year, but I know she would always tell me to calm down. I know that I play well, and I’m making everyone around me proud.
7:00 p.m.
There was a string quartet in Gothic Hall in Catlett Music Center. Gothic Hall is the main foyer in Catlett. I heard them play, and I loved everyone that did so well. The string quartet consisted of the principal players, which are the main section leaders for the strings. I was watching it with my friend Aahlia, and my god mom. I watched, and was talking to both Aahlia, and my god mom.
7:18 p.m.
I leave to get into Sharp Concert Hall where the concert took place.
7:20 p.m.
I get onto the stage to practice a bit of the pieces that I’ll be playing tonight with the orchestra.
7:30 p.m.
The concert begins. Marshall, the concertmaster is doing our tuning. We wait for Oboe player, Angela, to give everyone the concert A. Minutes passed, and we wait for our conductor for the evening. The conductor for the concert is a doctoral student named Katie Noelker.
8:15 p.m.
We finished the Schubert “Unfinished” Symphony piece. We then get to intermission, which is like a break for the orchestra. In total, the Schubert piece was around 28 minutes to play.
8:25 p.m.
The orchestra gets back from our intermission, and about to begin the Ravel piece. It’s “Pavane pour une infante défunte,” which translates to Pavane for a dead princess. I know you’re thinking, the princess is dead? No. Ravel liked the idea for the title, and it rolled off the tongue. After the Ravel piece, then began the Bizet suite. I was so ready for this song to begin, especially the finale. I love the finale so much.
9:00 p.m.
After playing our Bizet movement, I went to the orchestra to pack up. I waited for my family to come out of the venue. One of my family members, Melissa gave a huge hug, and I gave everyone in my family a hug. After that, I hugged some friends who came tonight to the concert. Even my friend Ciara got me flowers tonight!! The sweetest thing I’ve ever received!!