Well, I suppose we've been counting down since we found out last year that we were going on this trip. But now we are actually counting down the days-14 left!
Let me take a step back. Philip and I are in the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO) which is going on tour to Bulgaria. We are giving three concerts while we are there, but we also get to do a bit of sightseeing, too! You ask, "why are you going to Bulgaria of all places?" That is an excellent question. Maxim Eshkenazy, conductor of PSYO, is a native Bulgarian, and Mrs. Elizabeth Stahr, a member of a Pacific Symphony board, thought it would be great to take the orchestra there for the first tour in the group's nineteen year history. After two years of planning, fundraising, and tireless work, we are all going!
Rehearsals start up again next week so that we sound as good as Maxim has been telling everyone. The orchestra has also been invited to an "authentic Bulgarian dinner" where we'll sample food, hear cultural music, and get to socialize with our orchestra mates and chaperons.
That's all for now. More posts and pictures will follow!
~Meri
