One this episode of Walk with Zeke, throw you a bit of a curveball and take you from the outdoors to indoors high society!

Generally, I am camping with family and friends and blogging in an effort to populate the blockchain with sights, sounds and fun from our boreal exploits. This week, camping winds down and we spend some time with world-class musicians!

Stratford Symphony Orchestra

When a town of 40,000 people boasts its own symphony, you know something special is going on. When they are as fantastic as the Stratford Symphony Orchestra, well that is just truly a gift.

It goes without saying that it has been a tough couple summers for performing musicians. Imagine simply the logistical challenges of an orchestra! Well this orchestra chose to stay engaged, and leverage the challenging times to redefine their offering...they went digital. Along with a local film maker https://ballinran.com/, I had the chance to work with Town Crier Marketing

Hive account@town-crier https://towncriermarketing.ca to take on the digital marketing, online event planning, promotion and sales.

This is the poster we whipped up to support our social media push for their first performance in front of a crowd in an age.

Initially, the concert was to be held out-doors at the tent constructed by the Stratford Festival to bring theatre outdoors this summer. Due to a couple of snafus, we seamlessly pivoted to an alternate venue.

We arrived early enough to take a look around at the venue before the house lights came down. The film crew had all the toys out to illuminate the event properly, and stream it to a few local long term care facilities. Having a grounded documentary organization in town ready to record and edit and broadcast company in town willing to lean their expertise into sharing this event is another unique gift.

Hearing the musicians warm up, tune and prepare for the start of the show was so much cooler than I expected. The lead violinist was first to be introduced and he checked the tuning of the stringed instruments and we were good to go! Then it was time for the conductor to be introduced and the show to begin.

Watching the whole orchestra dance on the end of the imaginary string attached to the conductor's baton was mesmerizing. As talented as each musician is individually, it is a layer of abstraction away from the magic which happens when 40 of them are uniting to perform a classic from eras gone by.

This picture doesn't do the moment justice as I was trying to be quick and discrete. There were a couple operatic pieces from Italian and German productions and a vocalist to add to the majesty.

At the end of the show, we were barely over an hour since the beginning but it was a journey through classical composers, theatrical bits and traditional songs so perfectly presented. So many solos, layers and changes, it was something to behold.

I almost missed this show. It was my anniversary weekend and I was comfy at home. The call came with the reminder that there were complementary tickets if I wanted them. I realized that my little one is taking extra musical credit with the school band, and might actually have her life changed a little if she were to witness the SSO. It was special as expected for here and I suspect it has given her a little perspective, appreciation and inspiration to imagine what happens to school players who keep playing.

The bonus truly was that I went for her, but my experience made my head spin and kept me on the edge of tears for the emotion, unity and perfection I witnessed. Sometimes, doing something only because it is right give extra profound gifts.

#BRAVO SSO!

Thanks for joining me on this classical music adventure. Music is purpose and I would encourage you to drink in all you can for a happier life.