December 18^th 2009, was the first and ultimately…the last night of our Christmas concert. I have to say we did a pretty good job! Let’s start with the very very beginning. After spending the last few days with Hallelujah Chorus on repeat constantly, in attempts to separate the viola part from the mixture of sounds. (Which I now cannot unhear.) And the never-ending, power-learning Thursday nights with stern yells of “Wrong bowing! It’s down bow first! You have a bad habit!!” from my teacher. I am quite relieved it’s finally…. OVER!!! Speaking with the bass guitarist Kathy just hours before the concert, she stated “Ha Yeah! I’m nervous! I hope my AMP doesn’t expletive up!” Then we eagerly ran away to the auditorium to run through every song, ten times over.

        Watching, Jessica, Kat, and Mariana freak out simultaneously has the Senior chorus began their song. Reassured me that I actually…wasn’t nervous this year. Which is… in fact, completely shocking, and a little disappointing. I do love the pit (HAHA! No pun intended~! Get it? Orchestra PIT. Haha, I’m so amusing it’s scary…. No I’m just extremely lame.) in my stomach and the wicked jitters has the minutes tick away. And most of all, the sweaty fingers on the fingerboard, has gross as that sounds. It’s like my secret pleasure.

        When Small Ensemble finally got up there, we were missing stands, which freeeakkked me out. Okay, here’s the thing. Everyone thinks I’m a snob/brat about stand sharing, but the thing is I really just can’t do it. I have a mental spaz and play like an idiot if I share a stand. It’s just a thing I have. Y’know? One of those unusual OCDs some people have? Like eating all the wheat-ty parts of Lucky Charms before the marshmallows? (Ahem, Ahem.)  That’s kinda like the equivalent to my stand OCD, which I realize I have to get over if I plan on doing anything once I get out off here. Ughh!

      None the less! Unlike the West Side Story train wreck (labeled by Mariana, and I). We played shockingly…WELL! I blame this on Erica Gailing, of course! No, no just kidding. We did a good job this year.  Erica did give me the reassuring head nod, wink, smile combo, which cured my OCD fears allowing me to successfully play! But seriously it was like,

     So our pieces were… BEASTIN’! Ahem, I mean really great! With the exception of Silent Night, which mysteriously crumbled… Even audience members were like “Wait…what?” Twas the Night was like “Mhem, okay.” But the crowd pleasers of the night were definitely Jingle Bells Forever and Surprise Surprise! Hallelujah Chorus!! I think we played it the best we have ever!

        All in all, I’m glad we didn’t suck. Nobody tripped this year. My string didn’t pop. I played my D flats correctly. (Which I shouldn’t necessarily be proud of, because that’s like my job.) But it’s just one of those things that sometimes deserves a pat on the back!) Kat’s AMP worked fine. Cues were followed and given…for the most part….  And I, my friend! Did not get lost in Hallelujah Chorus! My constant hammering of it actually worked!  I actually knew what I was doing! Now that! Deserves a HALLELUJAH!!!!

So, I’m going to label December 19^th 2009, a very successful night! Partly, for the new title of SECTION LEADERRRR! Yeahhhhh~.  Which I was wickedly excited over for like a week straight!  Even the cancellation of the Saturday show didn’t dampen that excitement! Hahah, I’m such a loser!

Alas, I digress,

Hoping for a BEASTLY Spring ’10 concert!!

Love,

Tessie B!