Symphony, Pictures, and Talent Show

Last night and this afternoon the Dubuque Youth Symphony Orchestra had the oppertunity to play side by side with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra. I have to say it was one of the most fun experiences of my cello life so far. I had sooo much fun! Since I'm principle cellist in the youth symphony, I got to be standpartners with the principle cellist in the symphony, and he is so much fun to be with. He'll be my private cello teacher this fall when I start school at Clarke College and I'm really looking forward to it.
But anyway, the Youth Symphony only played one song with them, but it was FANTASTIC. We played Sibelius's Finlandia and it was astonishingly beauitful. I had so much fun playing in the very front and center of a proffesional symphony playing one of classical music's most astounding pieces that actually did change the lives of thousands of people in Euroupe.

I especially for some reason LOVE the part around 4:56 .. it was so perfect when we played it. Along with places like 5:05. Same with 6:11 and of course the familiar melody line in the middle that everybody knows. Cellos and Violins carried the melody.. it was absolutely gorgeous. And of course the whole end is just goosebump causing to listen to and play..

I apologize that the first minute of the video I have is of the conductor talking, you can just skip through it to hear the song, unless you'd like to hear what he has to say about the piece, which is always nice, too. :) And if you're local, a new episode Gary Olsen's Maestro and Me will soon be playing on Channel 19 sporatically throughout the day. Sally was interviewed on it.
Anway, I've definitely decided that playing in the Symphony is something I will be doing sometime in the future. No doubt about it. Not only do I thourougly enjoy playing symphonic music, I love that I can love and enjoy playing it and that others can love and enjoy listening to it. That's what was really different about this concert, people left with smiles on their faces saying how much they enjoyed it, people I don't even know giving me hugs and thanking me and I was so glad because I enjoyed it as much as they did. :) I'm SO excited that the youth symphony might do this again next year. Next year is my last year with the Youth Symphony (freshman in one of the local colleges is the highest school level you can be in to join, unless otherwise requested by the conductor.)
Also, I got my senior portraits taken last week and I will get the proofs sometime this week and the final products possibly this week or next week. I also was accepted into the school talent show on the piano. I'll have somebody in the audience record it with my camera and I'll put it up here afterwards in March. :)