Well, for the first time ever, I actually enjoyed playing in an Amman Symphony concert. Really, I’m not joking!

Last Wednesday, I played in “Opera Under The Stars,” a concert by the Amman Symphony Orchestra and the Choir of Holy Spirit University in Lebanon. It took place at the Roman Ampitheater in downtown, an amazing setting for this event. The choir brought 3 soloists, who each sang an aria and then completed the concert with the trio from La Traviata. We got more “bravo’s” and applause then we have ever gotten for a concert. Considering we only rehearsed for 3 days prior to the concert, it was quite a feat!

But no concert is without its interesting moments. Here is my list of highlights:

• Stupid Kids –the concert started late because an entire busload of kids had to make their way up the steep Roman Ampitheater stairs, rather noisily. The teachers weren’t even trying to keep them orderly, just letting them run rampant. What is it with Arab culture and disciplining your children? Come on, a quick swat now and then will not hurt anything. But it might teach them to be respectful.
• The Wind – As is always the case when performing in an outdoor venue, there are elements that are beyond your control. Such as an easterly breeze. It wouldn’t have been such a problem because they provided us with large rubber bands (that looked like giant scrunchies) and pairs of clothespins. Great idea, except for the procedures to turn the page. First, remove the clothespins. Then take the music out from the scrunchie, then turn the page, put it back in the scrunchie and then reattach the clothespins. Imagine trying to do that in the span of one 4-beat measure of music. Once, there was such a large gust of wind that even the scrunchies couldn’t hold the pages……and there was a snowstorm of music and frantic musicians as they tried to collect it all. And this was in the middle of a piece!
• The random clapping — Apparently not everyone read the feature about me in the Dardashah. C’mon don’t clap in the middle of the piece. At least wait until we are finished.
• Flashdance – Can I just say that the Lebanese youth love the 80’s? If you could see the big hair that made its appearance in the choir, as Mario put it “It’s like Flashdance!” We were just looking for the legwarmers…….

For all the good things that happened, there was one bad thing. After the concert, 4 of the choristers and their bus driver were shot in an apparent criminal act. It did bring a damper to the evening and we are all hoping that the chorus members are ok. What a way to end such an otherwise fantastic evening.