Notes From a Curious Listener

It is with mixed emotions that I write this post, my last as the official blogger of the La Jolla Music Society (LJMS). There is some relief as the grind of a weekly deadline ends. (I have written 45 posts and cajoled five guest posts out of others since July 15, 2010.) But there is also sadness that this is an end to a fulfilling collaboration with the Marketing team. Lead by Kristen Sakamoto, Marketing Director, managed by Travis Maril, Web Master and professional violist, and reviewed by Marcus Overton, Consultant for Special Projects, and Michelle Tondreau, Lead Ticket Services Representative, with help from Anne Heinlein and Matthew Fernie, we have taken this blog through a birthing process that has been fun and full of delightful surprises. I do so thank them!

It began as a whim when Kristen hit me with the unexpected question, "Would you be the blogger for LJMS?" at the Board of Director's retreat in September 2009. As the seasoned volunteer that I am, I immediately responded, "No," but the idea wouldn't leave my head. I was intrigued by the internet's ability to reach many people on a shoestring budget, and I wanted LJMS to take advantage of it.

Also, I wanted to learn more about the internet and the subtleties of expressing my views in an understated but powerful way. LJMS was a safe place to do that. I knew that the team would steer me away from gaffes and controversy and do so with a gentle touch. One example is that they did not use my first few posts, but they never critiqued them either. Instead, they simply encouraged me to keep writing and told me that I was, "Finding my voice." I smile whenever I think of it. I'm fairly certain that those three words resulted from a long discussion between a worried team and Christopher Beach on how to move forward. I am grateful for their tact.

Here are some of the best behind-the-scenes tidbits I heard at SummerFest. Most are paraphrased because I didn't have a pen at the time, but I think I captured the essence of the comments.

"Much better than we expected. We expected it to be great, but it is even better than that. To be included in a festival with all of these great musicians is amazing."
-Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, fellowship artist, violist

"I memorize the music when I can because it gives me more freedom of expression."
-Deborah Hoffman, harpist

"It was SO hard."
-Kyoko Takezawa, violinist (when asked about the difficulty of Enescu's Octet for Strings in C Major, Opus 7)

"I was worried when I saw the program for the finale. That Enescu might be too 'out there' for me; but it was gorgeous."
-Board Member

"Yes, this SummerFest is going very well, but I cannot relax until it is all over."
-Kristen Sakamoto, Marketing Director

"Best SummerFest ever! I don't know how they are going to top it next year. "
-Patron

"We'll play the same program, just backwards."
-Cho-Liang Lin, Music Director (quip in response to previous comment)

"I loved the SummerFest Wrap-Up Meeting. There is such a feeling of community."
-Angel Kleinbub, New Board Member

"I know the artists and get them to come. "
-Cho-Liang Lin, dramatically downplaying his effort in planning SummerFest.

"Thank you."
-Christopher Beach, President and Artistic Director, words he says to everyone throughout SummerFest, even as he, who also works non-stop on SummerFest, drops into a chair in exhaustion.