Remember the old T.V. show “Cheers”, where everyone knew your name? Especially one guy named Norm. Whenever he walked in, they would shout out his name. He was known, respected even.
Sometimes that is how life in a small town can feel. Like everyone knows my name. At least it feels that way in the musical side of town. The Symphony appreciates me because I am one of two violists (the other one is moving in January), and thus I am noticed. I play a vital part in the overall scheme of things. I am not just one of a million others in a section, all hoping that somehow the director will recognize that you are doing a good job. I don’t have to fight for position. Automatically, I am the top dog in my section. It is the first time in my life where I have experienced this. I love that my students all came to me, I didn’t have to advertise my services even once. It seems like every time I get an open spot in my studio, there is someone waiting there to fill it.
Sometimes it is just nice to be where everyone knows my name. I walk into Symphony practice, and people’s faces actually light up. They call out my name, and seem genuinely happy to see me.
