Do you remember George Plimpton? He is the person who did unusual things that he had never before done, then wrote about them. I believe once he fought in a boxing or wrestling match. He really hurt to get that story.
Recently I thought I, too, was going to have to hurt for my story.
It goes back to my childhood when my father, who had played the cornet in the Mississippi State band, made me go to some of the Lyceum programs at MSCW so that I would be exposed to some musical culture, especially the symphony orchestras.
At first I was bored. I did not know enough about music to appreciate what I was hearing. One thing caught my attention: the clash of cymbals.
“I wouldn’t mind doing that,” I thought.
That was the beginning of my bucket list. That wish lasted until last Sept. l8.
I told a young friend who is a violinist, Diane Ford, that I wished I could play the cymbals in a symphony orchestra, then write about it. She spoke to the conductor of the Starkville-Mississippi State University Orchestra, Dr. Michael Brown. He is a hospitable, agreeable and courageous man. He invited me to give it a try during the playing of “The Star Spangled Banner” at the upcoming concert in Rent Auditorium on the Mississippi University for Women campus.
I was terrified. I had spoken too much (as I often do), to my dismay. But the thing had gone too far for me to back down.
The first shock came when I met Dr. Brown at the band building at MSU. For the first time in my life I picked up a pair of cymbals. To my horror they were so heavy that I could hardly lift them. Dr. Brown later found me some lighter ones. He also gave me a little coaching and told me to come to the full orchestra rehearsal on the afternoon of the evening performance. The agreement was set. There was no way out. What had I done?
Musicians are wonderful people I found. I was welcomed with graciousness, smiles and even a hug or two. “I am so scared,” I confessed.
“We are, too,” several of them agreed. I had not expected that trained musicians would be nervous, also. I should have anticipated that, though. There is always the possibility of messing up. I realized all of us counted at little bit at least on adrenalin to help.
Glory be! The rehearsal went well, and I steeled myself for the performance. It was amazing. As far as I could tell, there was no bobble. I was exhilarated. I even wanted to do it again. I began to understand why people want to play in orchestras.
I shall go even further. I believe very strongly that, as part of their overall education, children should participate in at least one of three disciplines: team sports, drama or musical groups. These activities teach one to cooperate in performance, trust and depend on his fellow team members, and do his part faithfully. I think all of us need that experience.
I am grateful that I had the opportunity to play just a little bit with a symphony. The feeling of being “within” that sound, rather than outside in the audience, is unique and extremely enjoyable. I had a blast — or, more accurately, a clash. It was fun. I even wish I could do it again. That is, I think, the acid test.
The next Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra Association concert will be Nov. 6 , at Lee Hall on the MSU campus at 7:30 p.m.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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