...Promoting Classical Music Concerts...
When I got back into the cello in my late 20's, I took private lessons at the local University of California Music Department. The Professor of Cello let the Head of the Music Department know that he had landed an Adult Student who had some free time. So, I got invited to join the Music Society that Al, the Head of the Music Department ran. It was a Non-Profit Organization, and would put on high level music performances with Professional Musicians. I got heavily involved, and raised money for the Organization, and helped plan concerts. I also promoted the Concerts, and as Treasurer paid all of the musicians involved. I would read the music journals that reported on performances by traveling musicians, and bring some to the attention of Al and suggest that we book them.
One of the most memorable was the Slovak Symphonetta. (sp) They were from the European Country of Slovakia, which had been part of the USSR. They were too expensive for our Organization to fund, so Al talked me and my Shrink into sponsoring a concert with them. I was scared stiff, that would cost a lot of money, and if tickets didn't sell, well we would be out of a lot of personal money. So, I did extra advertising on the Event, and in a brief spark of sheer genius, wondered if there were any Slovakians in the area. I did find that there was a local Club of Slovakians in a Church, and spoke to their President, and told him about the concert, and said that we would have a reception afterwards, and that anyone from his Organization would be welcome to help plan. the concert and reception Well, he and a few other Slovakians were DELIGHTED...and we planned a VERY extensive and EXPENSIVE reception. I had an expensive keg of Slovakian Beer brought in, and all sorts of other drinks. The Slovak Community brought an incredible assortment of wonderful food, so we had a real FEAST available after the concert. I had bought a bunch of little Slovakian Flags, and had them all over the reception hall. The musicians asked if they could take them with them at the end of the reception, I said 'yes', but kept one for my Office. They ate and drank with great gusto, and mixed with the locals very well, and would point out their hometowns on a large map of Slovakia that I had put on the wall.
The musicians were WONDERFUL, they were VERY skilled, and played all of the music very well. I was also very pleasantly surprised that there was a large turnout, especially from the local Slovakians. They had contacted fellow Slovakians in CA, and people from all over came to the concert. The appearance of the musicians was interesting. Their Principal Violinist, the Concertmaster, looked like an ugly Actor who played an Eastern European Thug who laughed as he tortured people, but he played like a God. I mixed with all of the musicians as we set up the for the Concert, and fetched things that they needed.
After the Dress Rehearsal was over, the Concertmaster invited me to have a 'snack' in his room and talk about the music. Well...I smiled...and declined of course. He found someone else. Some friends had watched, and asked if he had made a pass at me. I, very casually, said, "Well, of course he did. Those traveling musicians do need company at times." My friends laughed...I chuckled, too.
I mean, if a traveling Eastern European Musician would NOT make a pass at me at that time when I was young and very cute, I'd better have my estrogen levels checked, or something...
One of the very nice side effects was that the local Slovakian Community became more active. They invited me, a mixed breed, to Dinners and events they put on, and were wonderful people. They did say that the Concert brought them together, and that they met more fellow Slovakians that they didn't know about, and were much more active now.
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