back at work

Monday was my first day back  (the season began last Thursday, but I was off to wrap up the Sunriver Music Festival) at the OSO.  My first surprise: I now have a spot in the closer parking garage!  I guess I’m now old and decrepit enough to warrant a parking place a block from the hall (there are a limited no. of spaces, and how they’re allocated is a mystery to me – usually only those playing the large instruments such as tuba, double bass, and cello get spots in this garage, and then those musicians who have a physical challenge which requires a shorter walk to the hall).  Since I turn 40 in just over a week, it’s a fitting honor. 🙂

We’re rehearsing a dog’s breakfast of pieces for the big waterfront concert at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on Thursday evening.  Included is the ever-popular 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky, but the more interesting pieces are Javelin by Michael Torke, which was written for the Atlanta Olympic games, the White Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake with members of the Oregon Ballet Theater dancing live on a side stage to the music, and an ensemble number from Verdi’s La Traviata with members of the Portland Opera cast singing live on stage.  

It is good to be back, but I had such a good time in Central Oregon that I’m still a bit sad about not being there – especially as the weather is now just about perfect there (we had alternating rain and triple-digit temps during the middle of the festival).

Last night I had the pleasure of going to dinner at Ten-01 with former OSO principal cellist Mark Votapek, who was in town on a rest stop from hiking the complete Pacific Crest Trail!  He started near the California-Mexican border on May 2nd (actually he did the first 110 miles in January), and has averaged about 25 miles of hiking (with an ultra-light 20 pound pack) each and every day, with one 100 mile cycling detour around fire zones which closed the trail in Southern California.  He’ll finish in British Columbia sometime towards the end of September.  Amazing!