Dear friend Jorene – the one I have known almost all my life – invited me to a rehearsal of the Ft. Worth Symphony. Seems she is a donor, and donors are invited to attend a rehearsal.  Did you know this could be done?  And It was so much fun.

First things first.  I had never been inside Bass Hall.  Oh, I had seen the front of Bass Hall and  the beautiful 48 foot tall hand-carved limestone angels that grace the Grand Facade, and I had wanted to go inside to a concert, but had never had an opportunity – until now.  And to think I was going to be at a rehearsal.  I was beyond excited.

When we arrived they had a little reception for us – coffee and cookies  It was a nice touch.  (They treat their donors nicely.)  The foyer was decorated for Christmas.

Musical instruments adorned the large trees.  They were beautiful.

On display tables were smaller trees and  nutcrackers.  It was very festive.

Bass Hall is listed among the top 10 performance halls in the world.  I was so impressed, and I hadn’t even gone inside to hear the music.

Gorgeous.

The domed ceiling appears to float in the clouds.  I like it.  I love it.

These picture do not do justice to the inside of Bass Hall.  It is absolutely wonderful, and I do want to go again.

Before the rehearsal, there was a short lecture about the piece they would be rehearsing.  On this day, they were rehearsing Shumann’s Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129 with guest artist Alban Gerhardt, Cello.  Although two other pieces were being performed at this concert – Slapdance by John Hedges and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Op. 35 – they only rehearsed the Shumann piece.  Rehearsal lasted two hours with one break during the rehearsal.  It was so interesting.  First they played through the piece.  Then they went back and worked on certain sections.  They never played the entire piece again.  These are professionals, and they came prepared.

Alban Garhardt, the cellist, was amazing.  His fingers moved up  and down the  cello as quickly as a piano player’s fingers on a keyboard.  He was cute and personable – not temperamental at all.

The entire experience was unreal.  I was able to enjoy the inner workings of the orchestra, learn about the selections being played, hear great music, and visit Bass Hall.  Life doesn’t get any better.  Thank you Jorene for a wonderful day.

Blessings to you and yours,

If you go to Bass Hall, be sure to visit the necessary rooms downstairs.

How cute is this?  I am so easily impressed.