![]() My stand partner was a real violist who plays with the Seven Hills Symphony, but I know there was at least one other switch-hitter in the viola section. I’m certainly glad I practiced as much viola as I did. We fit two significant rehearsals and a concert into less than 24 hours. At one point, somebody’s cell phone rang during rehearsal, and he answered his shoe, like Inspector Gadget. He has prestigious appointments in other parts of the country too, but here his sense of humor and approach seemed perfectly tailored to this slightly nerdy group of Massachusetts intellectuals. Working with Maestro Thomas Wilkins, the Germeshausen Youth and Family Concerts Conductor chair with the BSO, was a real treat. Maestro Wilkins walked right next to me when he came onstage, and I also had a perfect view of him and his hands while he was conducting. ![]() I was sitting 3rd stand outside in the viola section, which turned out to be about the best place to sit on the entire stage. The administrators and organizers of the event were very helpful and efficient, directing us onstage to where place cards on the music stands told us where to sit. Still, when I followed an unknown cellist and violinist out of the subway and into the side stage door of Symphony Hall, I felt a little overwhelmed. An accomplished flautist, she was playing the piccolo in this concert. We got together one morning for coffee and banana bread. I had also met the other player from my hometown, Belmont, a PhD biologist and patent attorney who turned out to live around the corner from me. It wasn’t a completely blind date: there were four of us in the group from my orchestra, the Arlington Philharmonic, two cellists, an oboist, and me. I already wondered how this would all come together with such limited rehearsal time. The first violin part to Capriccio Italien, forever riding the Red Line. Once I left my sheet music on the T, and it was never seen again. I would listen to music on headphones while riding the T and follow along with my part. It brought back memories of my old commute when I worked in Kendall Square. For Friday’s rehearsal I took public transportation to Symphony Hall: for me that means a bus and two subway lines. The first rehearsal was supposed to be on Wednesday night, but got snowed out due to blizzard Juno.
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