sorrowmonkey ([personal profile] sorrowmonkey) wrote2005-04-05 08:39 pm

York College Community Orchestra

Well, the concert is over. It wasn't a complete failure, we began all of the pieces together, and we (mainly) ended them together. There were some very unpleasant bits in the middle, but only a little bit worse than I expected. The attention of timpani tonight was a huge step up from the dress rehearsal; Matt rocks. The only shame with the added percussion is that it showed how much the principal flutist has been cheating the tempo to make it through her runs.

The intonation was a disaster, as usual. The strings really should have arrived around 6:00 to start tuning, so that they would be something remotely similar to the same pitch. However, I will give it to the strings, they were at least all on time. Steve showed up after 7:00 PM, and it took him forever to get his junk together.


After the concert, I helped pack up the chairs and music stands. There were only about 2-3 other people helping, and I just couldn't bear to watch Colleen do all of the chairs by herself. After 90% of everything is put away, I walk off to pack up my trumpet. I come out, after being accosted by Linda, to discover Mel still standing in the middle of the stage gibbering with his family.

So, I shouted, as I walked away: "Thanks for helping strike, Mel!"
To which Linda replies: "Oh, well he *never* strikes!" with a holier than thou expression.
I take a few steps, turn around, and say "Well, actually, he *promised* to help."

At no point during this exchange did Mel acknowledge me, he was too busy talking to Daddy. Fuck you golden boy, I have more professionalism in my pinky toe than you have in your entire repetoire. So perhaps you should lay off all of the kind folks who've been indulging you because they are more professional than I am.

At least Linda knows that I'm pissed. Prey should know when it's prey.

[identity profile] winterswitchery.livejournal.com 2005-04-06 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
So .. WHY are you in this farce of a community band again?

[identity profile] nrawling.livejournal.com 2005-04-06 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
Well, I hadn't played in nine years. I didn't really feel entitled to be picky. However, I'm done with that. Aside from the fact that they are moving everything around to be as inconvenient as possible for non-students, I have really no interest in dealing with this particular ensemble again.

[identity profile] winterswitchery.livejournal.com 2005-04-06 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
You're far better off playing on your own than with that poor excuse for a concert band. Really, I've seen junior high school bands operate with more professionalism. Gross.

Good show of paitence

[identity profile] osgkar.livejournal.com 2005-04-06 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you didn't lay him out as much as he deserved it. Jail isn't worth it no matter how good it would have felt.do something more fun like pouring hot sauce into his instrament. that would be funny at practice or performance.
Sir Ow the ever good influence.

Re: Good show of paitence

[identity profile] nrawling.livejournal.com 2005-04-06 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
Luckily, I figured out that most people aren't worth it long before I got to the point where I could really beat the crap out of them.

I like the hot sauce idea, I just need to figure out a way to make it effective on violins and pianos. Probably habenero pepper on the chin-rest of the violin would work well.

[identity profile] kuzu-no-ha.livejournal.com 2005-04-06 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
love youuuu

I am glad you said it. I don't fucking care anymore. what will he do? fail me?
go ahead...

hah! I say...and stuff

[identity profile] ajmoore.livejournal.com 2005-04-06 02:19 am (UTC)(link)
you're my new hero for at least trying to tell off mel!

[identity profile] temair.livejournal.com 2005-04-06 07:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Come North - we'll start our own community orchestra (or at east find one that doesn't suck)!

[identity profile] parsedgarnish.livejournal.com 2005-04-06 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
And we won't let jerks play.

I could dust off my clarinet.
I'd offer to pick up bassoon again, but , um... well...

I could dust off the clarinet. :)