I don’t normally do things like this on the blog, but I needed to express my heartfelt thanks to all of my colleagues at the Oregon Symphony for their support and love this weekend. I was called upon, with just a few minutes notice, to play principal viola for this past weekend’s program, which included the major viola solos in Strauss’ Don Quixote, due to the sudden indisposition of my stand partner. I also need to thank him, Joël Belgique, for his steadfast support and years of friendship. He is the ultimate Sancho Panza, and his past performances of the role are etched in my memory, and set the bar very high. Thank you, my friend.
In any event, Team Sancho (myself, bass clarinetist Todd Kuhns, and tenor tubist Demondrae Thurman) decided last night to take a photo to send to Joël, as you can see we aren’t in a happy mood:
