Full Moon and Empty Arms

On Valentine's Day, Mari and I went to hear the Dakota Valley Symphony. It was their 25th anniversary concert. They were pretty good but, of course, they have been practicing for twenty-five years.

The guest pianist from Italy--Roberto Plano--was superb but, of course, he has been practicing for twenty-five years, too. Mr. Plano practiced harder than the orchestra. It is true that I did lurch, involuntarily, a time or two, but those were just reminders that playing in an orchestra is a rare and hard-earned gift.

There are unfortunate reasons why I am quick to admit
that we are not all born equal and that, for some of us,
no amount of practice could have earned even the last seat
in a section in the orchestra. Life is not fair, but it works out.

The Burnsville Performing Arts Center is a gem! I sat there,
in that fine hall, enjoying the fact that it happens, sometimes,
that a musician of Roberto Plano's ability and an orchestra like
the Dakota Valley Symphony even get a chance to play together.
I suspect we were watching about fifty people do something
they had almost not even dreamed of being able to do.

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