I had a very fun experience this weekend. I was the stage manager for a concert featuring talented children in our area–a “Rising Stars” concert. I was called at the last minute because I had done it last year and, I suppose, they didn’t know who else to call . I moved pianos, adjusted music stands and mics and made sure the kids had what they needed. I had a case of water for my MMS rehearsal and donated that to their green room. The kids did great and were varied; everything from several violinists, a cellist and a singer to a euphonium player. It was a wonderful concert and a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon. They’ve already booked me for next year!

It’s been a very stressful few days around here. Most of the reasons for the stress have nothing to do with the MMS but I felt tense and stressed and overwhelmed and…..and then we had rehearsal tonight. Music and the fellowship of the singers and the fun we had swept me away from my stress and I almost forgot what was bugging me. And it was a good rehearsal and we got stuff done. That’s the best kind to take away stress!

It was a beautiful day today. The sun was golden, the grass was green, the sky was blue. I get especially antsy on this kind of day because I want to do our concert NOW instead of later. The music inspires me in the dead of winter–or around about Thanksgiving when I chose it–to keep going. I started doing a secular concert for the spring because I wanted happy, up-beat, fun things to present to our audience at this time of year. New lives, new loves and stories are usually the subjects and in spring, anything is possible. And hope our concert will bring that across.

We had a good rehearsal tonight. We almost always do……but this was an especially good rehearsal. Everyone seemed to be on the same page…literally and physically. When things go well, I try to backtrack and figure out what we did right to make it such a productive practice. For the life of me, this one is a puzzle. Right after Easter, it should have been more of a mess. Instead, we made progress and got a little more done than planned. When we get in the zone, together, things fall in place and we begin to gel. I am looking forward to see what happens next week!