Last Night, We Fed Ourselves

Last night, our local orchestra, the Central Ohio Symphony, held a concert. That in and of itself was not unusual. We are fortunate beyond measure as a community to possess a professional orchestra. Our musicians are talented, our conductor is gifted, and together they are an exciting ensemble. What was unusual about the concert was the reason for holding for it.

Last night, our orchestra practiced what is known as "civic engagement." In orchestral circles, that means that symphonies interact with and serve their communities beyond the playing of music. The emphasis this year is on hunger, with an initiative called "Orchestras Feeding America." Nationwide, over 250 orchestras held events to help combat hunger. Some orchestras reduced ticket prices for a donation or asked subscribers to bring a can of food to a concert. The Cincinnati Symphony, for example, gave a $10 discount on tickets at two concerts and brought in over 1700 pounds of food.

Last night, thanks to the drive and imagination of our orchestra's executive director, who I am blessed beyond words to be married to, our orchestra went far beyond that. Warren planned and brought all the players--musical, institutional, and community--together for "Orchestras Feeding Delaware," a concert where a donated item at the door was the only cost of admission. The donations would go to People in Need (P.I.N.), our local emergency aid agency. Warren championed the event to his Board and the participants because he strongly believes the arts play a role in all aspects of community life, not just in concert halls.

Last night, to make the concert happen, a number of elements had to fall into place. First and foremost, the musicians and the conductor had to donate their services. Ours is a small orchestra with a very tight budget and does not have the means to perform a benefit concert with paid musicians. Jaime, the conductor, agreed as soon as Warren raised the idea with him. The musicians overwhelmingly signed on as well. Some who had prior commitments sent donations in their absence. More than half a dozen area musicians who do not regularly play with the orchestra also donated their time.

Last night, there were two orchestras on the floor of the gymnasium in which the concert was held. (The space was donated by Ohio Wesleyan University, a Symphony community partner.) The first was the Central Ohio Symphony, which numbered over 60 musicians. The second was the expanded Central Ohio Symphony, created by adding string students from high school orchestras in our county and the next one over. By the time the student musicians joined the adults for the last two works, there were over 100 musicians on the floor.

Last night, the audience began arriving early, many of them toting not just a can or two, but a sack of items. Or a box. Or two boxes. The P.I.N. staff and other volunteers were sorting and boxing as fast as they could and still the donations kept coming.

Last night, the audience ranged from toddlers to elders, all eager to be there. From the first downbeat of the Star Spangled Banner to the last note of Beethoven's Ode to Joy, the applause and enthusiasm flowed from the audience to the orchestra, not just once but over and over.

Last night, there were those small moments that make any special event all the more so. Dorothy of P.I.N., thanking the audience and musicians before the concert started, broke down when she announced the weight of the donations. She put her hand to her heart and shook off her tears, finishing her thanks with a breaking voice.

Last night, there were those musical moments that light up the evening: the orchestra rising to its feet to play the Banner, the golden notes pouring from the three trumpets during Bugler's Holiday, the concentration on one student's face as she played away and the pride on her parents' faces as they watched her. In the middle of an arrangement of West Side Story, the percussionists snap their fingers for a lengthy phrase. Cary got a huge grin on his face and swung around to the audience seated nearest to him. With exaggerated gestures, he soon had the entire audience snapping away, not missing a beat.

Last night, when the final note died away in the echoing gymnasium, the audience rose to its feet in a sustained standing ovation. It was the last standing ovation of several during the evening. The student musicians were glowing. The professional musicians were beaming. Jaime was jubilant. Warren was radiant.

Last night, when the last box of food had been taped shut and carried to a waiting vehicle, over 2100 pounds of food and personal items had been donated.

Last night was one of those magical moments where someone takes the community safety net, all the more worn and fragile for the Great Recession we are in, and adds new strands while reinforcing others.

Last night was an amazing and a heartfelt gift to our community by the college, the Symphony, the musicians, and the audience. When you talk about making an impact that changes people's lives, last night was one of those moments.

Last night, we fed ourselves.