Nashville Orchestra Despite the Flood

We followed the signs to the small college where the Nashville Orchestra was holding a concert. Just days before, the flood had devastated the basement of their building, destroying all their pianos and timpani. Despite their best efforts, they could not get them to the main floor because the power was out and the elevator non functional. Their loss was part of downtown's devastation.

What a treat to go to a concert - Brahms, Beethoven, lovely. Deb looked elegant in her red evening dress and the opal earrings and necklace she had recently purchased when vacationing in Australia and New Zealand. We parked the car and headed toward the ushers stationed along the sidewalk directing us to the auditorium.

At the top of the stairs a small string ensemble played lovely music while we waited in line to enter. The hall was small, the skinny balcony surrounding on three sides filled to overflowing with young people from some music camp. Our seats were comfortable and close to the front. I settled back in anticipation, waiting for the lights to dim and the baton to come down.

From the first note, a sense of coziness and intimacy enfolded us. The small room could barely contain the full sound of the orchestra, but they were wonderful about not overpowering us. The formal informality created such a delicious camaraderie between performers and audience, drawing us in as participants.

One so seldom experiences the "time suspended" sensation, and here we were for several hours cocooned in music oblivious to the passing of time. I love being with my sister, and even though Nashville is new to me, I was not ostracized due to my funny New York accent or my foreign status. Music is, after all, the universal language. I am determined to speak it much more often.