1st ORCEC Concert

Bom dia
We had our first ORCEC concert last night at the State University here in Fortaleza. It was an interesting concert. They usually play the last Wednesday of each month at the university, but it is usually in their auditorium and at 930am. There was an event going on in the auditorium yesterday all day, so the concert was moved to 5pm and in another building, kind of like a commons area or entrance area for a building. VERY live. They did not set up any chairs for the audience, so they stood the entire time. It turned out to be very informal and very hard to hear our soft spots. I even cut one movement of the Elgar right on the concert as it just would not be conducive to that performance venue.

The orchestra played wonderfully, despite the poor acoustics. The video I am posting is our last piece titled Balade and Bergomask. It gives you an idea of the sound in this room.

After the concert, we went back to Arley's to change clothes. It was his mother's birthday, so we went out to eat in a neighborhood eating place close to his parent's house where he grew up. His sister, her husband, their son, his mom and dad joined us. It was great to meet his family. We went to his sisters home after dinner. His brother in law works with wood so he gave me a little wooden car for Caleb, a wooden house for Kelsey, and a wooden jewelry box for Kel. Not sure how I am going to get them home, but it was awful nice of him to do that.

Then, we went over to Christina's parents home, which is kind of in the same neighborhood. They have a beautiful home. We had some cerveja and watched futbol with her dad. Again, very cool to see where they grew up.

We got home around 11 last night and it was a great day for sure.