Ramblings of a rural(ish) geek

Friday and Saturday evenings I ushered at Hill Auditorium. The Berlin Philharmonic was in town for two different concerts - Norman "Unstuck"/Mozart 1st Violin Concerto/Korngold Symphony in F# Major on Friday and Mahler 7th on Saturday. The hall was sold out both nights, although there were more people for the Mahler - a few more no-shows for Friday night's concert. (I wound up sitting on the stairs in the balcony for both nights.) The lead usher for the balcony likes when I usher -- I chat with patrons before the house opens, and am apparently quick and accurate and clear with directions. (I do programs and doors, which means I point patrons toward the correct door to access their section - there are other ushers to direct them to their seats.)

We managed to evade the worst of the lake effect snow event. (Friends in GR/Kazoo say they've gotten almost 24" of snow.) Out here in the wilds of Washtenaw County, we got about three inches of lake effect through noon Saturday, and then Saturday evening a snow squall moved in from the south, and we got another four inches. When I went in to A2 late afternoon Saturday, it was just beginning to snow, but it snowed for a few hours while I was in the hall, and there was almost 3" of snow by the time I got out. It took me nearly twice as long to get home as it did to get in -- I did take a slightly longer route, though, to avoid an area that always drifts over.

I cannot wrap my brain around 77" of snow in one snowfall. Even though I lived in Houghton for a decade, that much snow that fast is just incomprehensible....

This morning, we went off to church to ring handbells. We played our bit, and then stashed bells and came home - J is still snurfing/coughing/hacking, and he didn't want to share any more germs than necessary. I acolyted because of the way people's schedules were intersecting. I haven't forgotten how to do it, even though it's been *years* since I did it.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to usher (and hear) the first half of Hugo Wolf's Morike-Lieder. German art-songs. In German, natch. With sur-titled translations on the screen at Mendelssohn Theater. Quite well done, and good music. (the second half was performed a couple of days later and the usher crew was full for that performance, as were the seats.)

Last Saturday, I went to hear an entirely Sibelius concert - a choral melodrama, a violin concerto, and his fifth symphony, performed by the Minnesota Orchestra. I like Sibelius in general, and it was a good concert.

In other music news, word is that the new music director of the Detroit Symphony is providing a shot of (much needed) energy to that organisation. I hear there is an effort to get him to come direct the FCB next year during the 55th season.