Some people take nature walks, some do yoga, some go to the movies, some take bubble baths and some get lost in beautiful music. Learning what helps you unwind and allows you to float away from the day's stresses is key in good self care.
A little bit of all of the above works for me, but nothing works better than beautiful music. I often get lost in the lyrics from a song on the radio or at a live concert, but classical music truly sweeps me away on a whole different level. It's almost as if my soul ebbs and flows with the music and the composer, the conductor and the orchestra take me on a journey with them, telling the story that was originally meant with the piece.
I think often people who are unfamiliar with classical music in an orchestra setting can be a little intimidated at the thought of going to the symphony. Questions swirl... What will I wear? Is it fancy? What if I clap at the wrong time? What if I don't understand the music? What if I'm bored? Isn't it expensive? What if it's just not my thing?
Peeps, I'm here to tell you it's not that complicated and the there is nothing like the beauty of the music at the symphony. You can wear what's comfortable. I often go in dress slacks and a nice blouse or sweater, but I have seen people in jeans and a sports coat all the way to cocktail dresses.
If you're uneasy about when to clap, watch those around you and usually the conductor gives you a clue too by turning around or nodding to sections to bow before she turns around. Don't be afraid of a long pause between movements.
My favorite part of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra is that conductor Janna Hymes often explains the pieces either in the pre-concert Meet the Music or right before the orchestra plays the piece. I have come to adore her insights into the pieces. You also can find the program notes in a blog on the symphony's website before you go or within the program the night of the concert.
I can't say I've never been bored. It's happened a time or two by a piece that just didn't speak to me, but for the most part I fall in love with the majority of the pieces. I close my eyes and just sit back and soak it all in - and I lose myself to the music.
A few years back I was floored to find out - it's really not that expensive to attend the symphony and sometimes it's a great family night out. Over the last few years my kiddos have been to several concerts, and I loved watching them be on the edge of their seats taking the beautiful music in with wide eyes. You can get an adult ticket as low as $20 and children's tickets (under 18) are always just $5. College kiddos just $10. So affordable!
So what's my second favorite part of the symphony? Watching the violin bows move in unison. The conductor and musicians are so passionate about their craft, and it takes all of them working together, in unison, to make the music happen. It leaves me mesmerized each and every time.
Which concerts should you pencil in on your calendar for the 2018-2019 season? Here's my top picks:
A little bit of all of the above works for me, but nothing works better than beautiful music. I often get lost in the lyrics from a song on the radio or at a live concert, but classical music truly sweeps me away on a whole different level. It's almost as if my soul ebbs and flows with the music and the composer, the conductor and the orchestra take me on a journey with them, telling the story that was originally meant with the piece.
I think often people who are unfamiliar with classical music in an orchestra setting can be a little intimidated at the thought of going to the symphony. Questions swirl... What will I wear? Is it fancy? What if I clap at the wrong time? What if I don't understand the music? What if I'm bored? Isn't it expensive? What if it's just not my thing?
Peeps, I'm here to tell you it's not that complicated and the there is nothing like the beauty of the music at the symphony. You can wear what's comfortable. I often go in dress slacks and a nice blouse or sweater, but I have seen people in jeans and a sports coat all the way to cocktail dresses.
If you're uneasy about when to clap, watch those around you and usually the conductor gives you a clue too by turning around or nodding to sections to bow before she turns around. Don't be afraid of a long pause between movements.
My favorite part of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra is that conductor Janna Hymes often explains the pieces either in the pre-concert Meet the Music or right before the orchestra plays the piece. I have come to adore her insights into the pieces. You also can find the program notes in a blog on the symphony's website before you go or within the program the night of the concert.
I can't say I've never been bored. It's happened a time or two by a piece that just didn't speak to me, but for the most part I fall in love with the majority of the pieces. I close my eyes and just sit back and soak it all in - and I lose myself to the music.
A few years back I was floored to find out - it's really not that expensive to attend the symphony and sometimes it's a great family night out. Over the last few years my kiddos have been to several concerts, and I loved watching them be on the edge of their seats taking the beautiful music in with wide eyes. You can get an adult ticket as low as $20 and children's tickets (under 18) are always just $5. College kiddos just $10. So affordable!
So what's my second favorite part of the symphony? Watching the violin bows move in unison. The conductor and musicians are so passionate about their craft, and it takes all of them working together, in unison, to make the music happen. It leaves me mesmerized each and every time.
Which concerts should you pencil in on your calendar for the 2018-2019 season? Here's my top picks:
- 11/10 - CSO presents Jon Nakamatsu on piano. Not only do you get Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, but Finnish composer Sibelius in the second half with Symphony No. 2 in D Major, which he called a confession of the soul. That kind of makes me swoon!
- 12/8, 3 p.m. IU Health Holidays Pops. We've done many holiday concerts across Indy and this is by far one of my favorites, plus it's so much more affordable, that we can throw in dinner after and ice skating at the Center Green. It's truly a family-friendly concert with all your favorite sounds of the season. Plus visits with SANTA for the afternoon performance!
- 2/9 - CSO presents Jeff Midkiff on mandolin. Okay, first of all, I want to see and hear exactly what a mandolin is - call me a curious music goer. Second it's near Valentine's Day and has Gershwin. Swoon worthy.
- 2/24 - Family Fun! Oh my gosh is this concert amazing. My kids love it. They get to go up and sit among the musicians and there is an instrument petting zoo after. It pretty much rocks. Get tickets early. It sells out.
- 3/9 CSO presents Irina Muresanu on violin. I'm a sucker for the violin and Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto.The violin is my very favorite in the orchestra. I love to watch the strings section. Yes, those bows get me every time.
- Lastly CarmelFest in July. I love that the symphony always plays right before the fireworks!
A bonus favorite at the symphony... I've gone so often faces have become familiar - from the ushers to those often seated near or mingling in the lobby. I love the smiles we exchange and the conversations we have about the beautiful music. They're kindred spirits.
Check out their Symphony 101 with everything to know before you go.
Get #CSOmoments and tickets here.
See you at The Palladium! Really, peeps, it's a symphony for ALL ages. I promise.
-Jen
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