In the same vein of having aspirations of being an astronaut or a princess, when I was young, I dreamed that one day I would perform on Orchestra Hall’s stage.
Fast-forward twenty years later. I will be playing my trumpet with the Chicago Sinfonietta for the first concert of their 2007-2008 season this coming Sunday and Monday. Yes, it is my professional Chicago debut and I will be playing at one of my favorite venues - Orchestra Hall. Not bad, not bad at all. 
Its just one of those things - you go through life trying to steer in the right direction, but you never really know where it’s going to take you. I’m very encouraged; I feel like the musical possibilities in this city are endless and doors keep on opening.
For the September 17th concert, the Sinfonietta is presenting “Salute to Sir Duke” with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble. This should be a great collaboration. How often does an audience member get to hear the original orchestral Peer Gynt Suite by Grieg and then get another shot at listening to this piece in a swinging rendition by the Duke? With this A and B musical comparison, electric energy will flow through these wonderful pieces. In addition to Peer Gynt, the Sinfonietta is performing a rhythmically riveting Timpani concerto by Russell Peck with Timpanist, Bobby Everson. The program will close with Harlem by Duke Ellington. It should be great fun.
So of course, I am very excited about this concert and the whole season that the Chicago Sinfonietta is performing this year. Each concert is fresh and out of the ordinary. This orchestra is pushing the norm for classical concerts, but still sticking to quality orchestral experiences.
I’m so glad to be part of a group that offers an exploratory approach to music. Each concert is so different that it just can’t be heard (and in some cases seen) anywhere else in the world.
So check out Concert One - Salute to Sir Duke at Orchestra Hall. And if you see a short, brunette trumpet player- wave! It’s me!
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