From “Asian Stir-Fry Chefs” to “Cliff Jumping” and “Bubble Baths,” it seemed that Mei-Ann Chen had just about a million different images to get us apathetic high schoolers playing at a professional level. I had never played beneath her before, but I now understand why she’s in such high demand across the country. When she described the fireworks that should be exploding across the the tops of our heads, the cello chairs in front of our section were rocking back and forth so violently I was afraid the musicians would topple over and land on me (and that would certainly have made me an angry tomato). None the less, it was quite a show she presented me tonight, and when I got into my car to drive back home, the U2 album in the cd player didn’t seem as impressive as it did on the ride up. It’s rehearsals like this one that remind me good music can’t be recorded, because there’s so much more that goes into it than just what our ears can sense.

On a side note; Ben’s Tuba playing is mind-blowing, my section leader gives really good hugs, AND!! Mei-Ann Chen didn’t do that obnoxious snake-charmer dance that seems to frequent conductors. Maybe it’s a guy thing.

Hannah Dexter, Stringed Bass, Asst. Principal

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