It was reminiscent of Canadian winter Olympic drama when the GBSYO played at the Kiwanis festival tonight.  On one hand there were months of preparing the first movement of Beethoven’s Fifth, on the other hand there were only a few hours practicing Richard’s arrangement of Barber’s Adagio for Strings.  To add to the drama there were all the warning signs of a mediocre performance -  plenty of nervous jitters in the practice session,  a couple of missing faces,  some tired yawns after a long week (and maybe too much Easter chocolate!), and the realization that there was only one shot to get it right – a single missed rest or wrong note at a key moment could make the difference between a gold and a silver.

    Then the moment came…Parents (and maybe Richard) crossed fingers and the Symphony started into Barber’s Adagio.  The jitters were nowhere to be seen as the music began its melancholy rise with a great certainty.  The drama continued to increase to its pitched crescendo, then the Symphony drew back and finished by playing the quiet ending with an equal degree of intensity.  No one in the audience was surprised when the adjudicator announced a gold!  This was an unexpected but welcome result for such a short practice time!

  Once the Adagio was done the real nervousness set in around the Beethoven.  Like the Canadian hockey squad, the expectations were high – just the sort of situation that can lead to disaster.  The parents were clearly on the edge of their seats worrying that after months of practice something might go wrong and the symphony would fail the ultimate test.  The proved completely unfounded as the 5th started with precision and power, then unrolled in what was the surely the best GBSYO performance in memory.  The well-earned applause and cheering after the final chord was loud and enthusiastic, only the fact that it was a adjudicated festival kept the audience from a standing ovation.  Some of the comments I heard in the post-performance buzz included: “That is the best I have ever heard the youth symphony play”…”I thought they nailed it at the Jensen concert, but they took it to a whole new level tonight”…”Is there a medal that is above a gold?”, and finally “I think this is the Youth Symphony’s crowning moment”.

It was a very exciting evening and one that will not soon be forgotten.  Congratulations to the GBSYO musicians!!  Thanks to Richard for his leadership, and thanks to Brian, Rob, Ani and everyone else who, like on so many evenings during the year, helped make this happen.  Bravo!!

Hi guys!  So Kiwanis is upon us! Good luck to all who are playing this week (before I see you all on Thursday!)  Just a reminder that we are to meet at 6PM on Thursday at the GBSS Music room…(the same room where we met and rehearsed last year!) For your convenience, drive to the parking lot BEHIND the school and enter from the back doors…that’s exactly where the music room is…you can’t miss it. Are there new members who might need directions to the high school in Meaford? If so please just send a reply!   I know Thursday’s going to be exciting!   Please do let me know asap if you will be unable to be there on Thursday. Some of you have spoken to me directly already…so obviously this is not for you. But anyone else PLEASE don’t provide me with final minute stress/heart attacks etc.