The Pandemic has caused several things to be done differently. Concerts, orchestras, plays were all canceled and some are still on hold today. We are social creatures by nature, so it's been a difficult transition for many people. Thinking outside the box has been done by some savvy proprietors. One such is our hometown Longview Symphony. If you missed the online concerts, they were not the full experience, but they were an experience nonetheless.
I sat at my desk watching The Celebration of Jerry and Friends featuring the new Longview Symphony conductor, Jerry Steichen who took on the position in 2020, circa the Pandemic. Some of you may know that he was raised in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, but most of you would have to look it up on a map to know where it is. Having lived on the Kansas/Oklahoma border for 10 years, I can point it out for you. What does that have to do with the concerts? Nothing, really, it's just a connection that I made when reading the Longview News Journals article about him.
Admittedly, watching the concert on my desktop wasn't the same experience that is in the concert hall, but it was nice to be able to appreciate our local culture regardless. You could still feel the emotion from the artists as they played with the audience in mind. Watching the conductor lead the orchestra is one of my favorite parts. It's almost a dance to see them looking at each section while they anticipate the next measure.
Growing up playing the trumpet, practicing for chairs, and preparing for concerts, I gained a fondness for all things band-related. If I hear marching band drums while outside my house, my ears literally perk up. It's one of my favorite sounds honestly. Going back to one of the little towns in Kansas I lived in, there is an annual parade in Arkansas City called "Arkalalah". Before you think it was named after a Dr. Seuss word, let me clue you in to a bit of the history. It's actually an abbreviation for Arkansas, pronounced Ark-Kansas, and "alalah", which is the Indian word for "good time". It began as a fall festival in 1928. Anyone who lives near the central Kansas/Oklahoma border has likely attended several Arkalalah's over the years. It boasts a parade where bands from both states attend, as well as the area "Miss" titles including the recently crowned Queen Alalah, and is surrounded by food trucks, vendors, and of course, the carnival on almost every street downtown.
One of the highlights is the Night Show Performance where the area bands converge to entertain all who attend. The stadium is kept dark so you can see only the lit glow bands strategically attached to the band members and their instruments. Once they are in position, you could hear a pin drop as everyone waits in anticipation to hear them start their performance. Though the bands are Jr High and High schools, they play to the best of their abilities. I enjoy every minute of it! It's a pretty neat thing to watch their skeletal-looking bodies marching to their choreographed routine. If you are near central Kansas or Oklahoma during the last weekend in October, you'll be able to appreciate genuine Indian fry bread if you go.
How did I wind up there? Oh well, "squirrel!". Looking forward to attending the in-person concerts of the Longview Symphony as soon as possible. You can see the upcoming schedule and purchase tickets here. Performances make a great gift. They're usually on my Christmas list.
Which performance are you hoping to see?
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