The ConcertOH!
(The following was submitted to the Lee's Summit Journal mere moments ago.
At least you can read it here... ;->)

I was privileged to attend a very special event on Saturday night.

Imagine yourself a painter, but your painting a picture of pure light.
That you sculpted in fog and mist, as ephemeral as a cloud. That your art was but a fleeting thing.
That the experience of your art was through the active participation of your audience, for the duration of its performance.

Fleeting glimpses of the soul poured out into vibrations of the air.

Each performance a unique experience. A unique fusion of the piece and the artist interpretation into the expression of all that it is to be a human being.

No wonder such concerts are an event.

The setting was perfect. Historically significant and this final performance not an ending, but a new beginning with all the promise of youth.

The players were excellent. Yes there might have been a slightly strident passage in the strings, and times the woodwinds or brass might have tuned bit more. But the ninety plus players on that stage sounded wonderful.

And there is nothing like hearing a live orchestra playing great music. Music whose deep rich chords touch the heart and thrill the soul.

I can tell you from experience, the only thing more thrilling is the sheer joy of singing with an orchestra like this one.

The musical selections ran across many styles, with excellent variety.

And leading it all was a true community treasure. A master of both his craft and his art.

I suppose it should not be surprising that Lee’s Summit could form an orchestra as fine as this, given his distinguished teaching career has left a legacy of music that will echo for years to come.

And the best part? This was not the end. It was just the beginning of many further musical adventures.

I look forward to next year.