Field Trip One

Yesterday the orchestra did their annual run-out performance in Lloydminster, at the Vic Juba Theatre. I believe this is the sixth year of this special performance - this year the concert had a Thanksgiving theme, and featured Vivaldi's Four Seasons. This performance takes place thanks to The Nelson Group, which sponsors the concert and directs all proceeds to a local charity - in this case, the Lloydminster SPCA.

Of course going on the road presents special situations we don't face when performing at the Winspear Centre - mainly, getting there. We had two buses - the quiet bus and the party bus. I can only vouch that the party bus was aptly named. (And I would like to point out that both Bill Eddins and Lucas Waldin, along with the ESO's Executive Director and Board Chair, were on the party bus.) In addition to the buses, some musicians drive themselves. Our Principal Trumpet Bill Dimmer actually flies to Lloydminster; one of the benefits of having a pilot's licence and a plane! Fortunately Eric, our Orchestra Personnel Manager makes sure everyone is accounted for, and even has an emergency kit of black and white bow ties, black socks, and batons on hand, just in case.

In the end, a road trip should be fun, and our run-out to Lloydminster is no exception. Although the orchestra loves to perform at the Winspear Centre, there is something exciting about reaching out to a different community. The fact that it supports a worthy cause makes it even more worthwhile. Although there are no other run-outs planned for this season, we can already mention that in 2011 we'll be visiting Edson as part of their 100th Anniversary celebrations. Next season is our 60th, so there might just be a few other dates outside of Edmonton (like a little place called Carnegie Hall) in celebration of that significant milestone.

I called this post Field Trip One as I'll be making a personal field trip next weekend to see the LA Philharmonic perform at the Disney Concert Hall, with Gustavo Dudamel conducting. Ironically (or maybe just coincidently), the ESO is performing Arvo Pärt's "Los Angeles Symphony" (written for the LA Phil) on the same day I'm seeing the LA Phil... I'm actually sad to be missing the show here, but excited to see one of the top American orchestras perform in their beautiful hall. I'm quite looking forward to it and will report back! And Field Trip Three will actually be Opera related - I'll be letting you know about former ESO composer-in-residence John Estacio's new opera, Lillian Alling.