Come and Play!

Have ever been to an event that just totally moved and inspired you?

I had the opportunity to do just that last night at the Richmond Symphony's Come and Play concert.

They Symphony invites all members of the community who play an orchestral instrument to practice with the orchestra and then play several pieces in an open concert.

The 72 permanent members were joined by over 300 other players from around the city, some as young as six year old and others as old as eighty. It was a sight to behold. The orchestra covered every square inch of the basketball floor at the Siegel Center in Richmond.

Imagine an orchestra with 12 basses, three tubas, three harps, almost 50 flutes and about 100 violins, not to mention the 50 or so trumpets, trombones and french horns. Oh, and don't forget the 4 bassoons.

The concert was an absolute musical delight with selections from Peer Gynt, Phantom of the Opera and Carmen to name a few. And, of course, Pink Panther, which the audience was coached to snap their fingers to, increasing the "orchestra" to almost 1000 people!

What was so magical was watching all these disparate folks come together to play amazing music even though they'd only practiced together for two hours prior to the concert.

It just goes to show what having a common goal (the same music) and a great leader (the conductor, Erin Freeman, was spectacular) can do for a group.

Do you have those two key elements in your organization?