Orchestration

Saturday evening I was able to go to an orchestra concert. As I sat in my seat before the concert began, I noticed all of the instruments tuning, and making a horrible racket! Then, the lights dimmed, and the concert master, amid applause, walked onto the stage and directed the entire orchestra to tune to each other, bringing the entire group into harmony. After he was certain that everyone was on the same pitch, the concert master sat down. Soon, the conductor walked onto the stage to yet more clapping and cheering. After taking a bow he turned to the orchestra and lifted his baton and the music began, but wait, the conductor had no music! He was conducting totally from memory! He didn't need the score in front of him, because he knew by heart where each instrument should play a note, or where it should remain silent. The maestro knew his orchestra and skillfully conducted without fear of his, or their mistakes.
Together all of the instruments blended into a harmony so delicate, that one wrong note would make a clamour that would make even the most tone deaf person cringe!
Yet, they played on, not afraid of anyone else's wrong note, simply paying attention to their music and of course the conductor. The concentration of the musicians was commendable. No one was paying attention to the crowd or to the other instrumentalists around them. Each was simply concerned about them and their section doing their best and making their notes happen on time.
As I listened I began to think about how an orchestra could be compared to the Christian life. The conductor could be compared to Christ. He leads each one of us, knowing what is going on and what is to come for us. He has no fear, because He sees the big picture, or the whole score, He was the One who wrote it! As a Christian I am like an instrumentalist. I am only one in a body of many. I can only play one instrument, not several, and I am only proficient in one instrument. How insane would it be for a tubist to go to the cellists and tell them how to make their vibrato better? It doesn't work that way. Each person must concentrate on what and where the Lord has called him.
As the music blended together, so do Christians blend together in perfect harmony, but only when their eyes are on Jesus. If a musician, or a section begin to take their eyes off the conductor, then they begin to make mistakes and mess up the entire orchestra, the same is true for Christians.
As music can be a beautiful blend of notes and instruments, so too can the Christian life. If we strive to follow THE Conductor of our very life and soul our lives can make beautiful music that will honor our Saviour.

WOW!!! Yesterday was quite the day! It was jam packed with excitement, and laughter and good times. I don't think I will every forget it.
6:30 yesterday morning found us loading up into vans and cars to head to New England Baptist College in Connecticut. We arrived there about 9:30ish, had chapel with them, and then BASKETBALL!!!! It was a crazy game in which New England once again beat us, only this time the score was 80-65! YIKES! Oh well, it was a chance to get out, have fun, and NO classes!!
From CT, Grandpa and I went to Queens. It got a little confusing cuz grandpa missed a turn off, so we had to find our way back around. I hate city driving...it's VERY confusing! We got onto the subway at Queens, thankfully there was a really helpful lady that helped us find where we needed to change subways. The New York subway system is very confusing, and unless you know how it works, good luck! We got off the subway at 57th street and 7th avenue. Right where Carnegie hall is located! The building is GORGEOUS! I went in a bought tickets. Because I am a student I could get two $10 tickets! SOOOO COOL!! We met up with my friend, Alan Harrell, he was able to get us back stage and up onto the stage! It was amazing! So beautiful! We were able to go to dinner with him. It was fun to be able to spend time chatting, and remembering some fun MasterWorks experiences.
We parted ways around 6:45. Grandpa and I went back to Carnegie and sat inside where it was warm. We had to wait until 7:00 before the doors would open, and 7:30 before we could get to our seats. It was really cool walking around some of the halls. There are lots of cool original scores, and handwritten notes from composers on the walls.
Our seats were way up at the top in the center balcony. Thy were in the 4th row of the balcony. They really weren't bad seats, and especially not for $10 a ticket! The first piece that was played was the New York premier of George Benjamin's Duet for Piano and Orchestra. It was BAD!! Alan had told us at supper that is would was a bad piece. It was only 15 minutes, I've never heard such a short piano concerto. It was interesting to say the least! The second piece that the orchestra played was Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 60, "Leningrad" by Dmitri Shastakovich. It was stunning! I've never heard anything like it in my life! The orchestra seemed to sing. AMAZING! It was the best concert I've heard in my life!
After the concert we went around behind Carnegie and said goodbye to Alan, and then Grandpa and I went to Star Bucks. It was good and kept us awake until we got home. We got back on the subway and rode back to Queens, picked up the car, and got back to Stony Brook right at midnight. It was a wonderful trip, and I will never, ever forget it! WOW!
For some reason my internet is being funky, so I can't post any pictures right now. I will do it as soon as possible. :( Sorry about that!

I'm not going to even attempt to talk about classes today. They were bad, that is all I'm gonna say!
Thankfully I didn't have work today! YAY!! I love having days off.
I had my second voice lesson. I hit an A, which with still having a cold, is pretty good. :)
I did my laundry at my grandparents. For those of you here in NY, or who have been here at some point in time, I went out the back door of ICS. There is a hill that I have to go down to get to the road that takes me back to my grandparents apartment. I was in heels and dragging my laundry bag with me, and I managed to make it down the hill OK. It was very slippery, but I did it. After my voice lesson I went down to switch loads. I was still in heels, but I didn't think anything of it, I figured I'd just slide down the hill again, like I had done earlier. This time however I was not quite so fortunate! I managed to slip and fall and land perfectly on my backside! The only problem, our maintenance man, one of the college guys, plus one of the little elementary girls who were outside at that moment! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! The maintenance man had a blanket in the back of his truck and told me to see if I could ride it down the hill!! HEHEHEHEHEHE!!! I tried it didn't work. :( sigh! If there had been cardboard around I would've tried that! Oh well, it was exciting! It made my day!! :))
I cleaned out my closet this afternoon! YAY!! I can now find things, and it is half way organized! I don't have to worry about something falling on me when I open the door, or have to shove stuff in when I close the door! :)
Friday Grandpa and I are going to Carnegie Hall!! I'm soooo excited!! We are going to see the Cleveland Orchestra. I have a friend that plays the cello in the C.O. I was talking to him on the phone today and he said that since Grandpa and I were getting into Manhattan so early (Due to circumstances we will be getting in around 4:00, the concert doesn't start until 8:00), he might be able to take us into Carnegie Hall, and onto the stage, and back stage, etc!! He isn't sure about it, but still, it would be COOL!! :) I hope it works out!