THE SITUATION OF MY SOUL

So, approximately 4 years ago I sold my soul--

to my orchestra teacher, Sam:

Let me define....

If you sell your soul to Sam 

you enter in a promise

of participation in 2 renowned orchestras

 6:30 a.m. rehearsals

{never late}

performances every month

and high standards 

of professionalism.

For instance, I didn't sit with my class at graduation.

I sat in the orchestra.

Dedication? Oh it is more that just that.

                                      We are talking about my soul, remember?

Sam always played along with the joke and assured us orchestra members that we would receive our souls back upon graduation from high school.

****************

Fast forward four years.  In college, I have joined folk music groups, the Philharmonic orchestra, and  I have recently taken up membership in the Orchestra at Temple Square.  I play a variety of instruments and am spending all of my free time making music. Last time I checked, I didn't get my soul back.

But I have been thinking...and I understand now.  As a naive high school sophomore, I didn't give my soul to Sam, I gave it to music.

And you know what? 

I don't think I want it back.

Thank you, Sam.

AN EPIC WEEKEND OF SORTS

So it was a crazy weekend.

I 

1. set a world record

2. crashed into a tree on a mountain bike

&

3. performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Story #1: BYU basically maneuvered its way into the Guinness Book of World Records by having the largest waterballoon fight.  

I was fully a part of this...

Me, Halie, Karen, and Jordan SOAKING WET

I have never seen so many water balloons in the air at one time. INSANE!!

Story #2: Basically, Jordan's family went mountain biking on a somewhat intermediate to advanced trail. His dad thought I could do it, so did his brothers. I didn't believe them, to tell the truth. Then Jordan stood there with his hands on his hips, smiling at me, with those melt-your-heart-chocolate-brown-eyes just sparkling and told me I would be just fine.

My reaction to his cute persuasion tactic: "Why of course I will go mountain biking with you, Jordan! I would love to ruin my shoulder and get dirt-road rash on my elbows! As long as I am doing it with you!"

{Ok, I didn't really say that, but that was practically my irrational train of thought.}

Story #3: Yes, it was my first broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word with the Orchestra at Temple Square.  We accompanied MoTab and Igor Gruppman on his violin.  I don't have a picture of this, I am sorry.  Just imagine beautiful music :)  

It was a dream come true.  [And yes, I did play with a screwed up shoulder.] Don't worry, Jordan brought me ibuprofen which he handed off to me in the underground parking lot of the Conference Center.  We looked like drug dealers.

CLAIM TO FAME

Yeah. I'm famous.

Famous enough to be in the general vicinity of Steve Young.
And Alex Boye.

FIVE WORDS, PEOPLE:  Provo Freedom Festival Patriotic Service

I felt like I was in a pro orchestra (got to get ready for the Orchestra at Temple Square gigs, ya know!!) because the music for the orchestra was emailed out saturday night and we had one day-of rehearsal before performing it on sunday night.  Talk about intense.  But it was great, and the Marriott Center was packed.
So epic.  And my family came and loved it! And Jordan came down from Alpine to see it too.  It is the best when the people I love come to my performances, no matter how many they have been to in the past.

It makes me feel like a million bucks.

HOLY MACKEREL

SOOOOO I had a funny experience today....

You see, I am in the process of auditioning for the Orchestra at Temple Square. You have probably heard them because the orchestra frequently accompanies the Mormon Tabernacle Choir-directed by Mack Wilberg, and organized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints. (CLICK HERE)

Background: I play the viola. No one hears the violas. We are smack dab in the middle of the orchestra and provide alto harmonies that gently hum underneath the soaring melodies of the ensemble. We are a bit under appreciated, and many people cannot tell us apart from a violin. We are constantly the butt of orchestra jokes, but everyone knows that if our section was nixed, there would be a gaping wound.

At least that is what we tell ourselves.

But that is ok with me. This means I can get away with a wrong sound here and there and not worry about tricky notes. Less stress in the back of the viola section-you know what I mean?

So back to my story....
I received an email from the audition coordinator that went something like this...

"Could you audition a week later than scheduled? I spoke with Mack Wilberg and he is unavailable on the date you listed...."

Uh....of course. Mack Wilberg. Yes, um...how silly of me. A week later will be no problem at all.

holy mackerel. (pun intended)

Mack Wilberg. THE conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Top Dog, Commander in Chief, Team Captain. Last time I checked, I was auditioning for the orchestra, and for a benchwarmer position on an insignificant instrument, none the less.

Wowzers. This will not be helping my nerves one bit. I already have to play six orchestra excerpts, a concerto, a piece by Bach, my favorite hymn, and some on-the-spot-sight reading. ( Do they want my firstborn child as well?)
I jest, but I am exited. Nervous, yet excited. Pray for me, I will need all the help I can get.

And remember to tune in at 9:30 every sunday for Music and the Spoken Word. :)