One rehearsal, finishing a half hour before the concert. That’s it! All professional musicians. Six first violinists. Five second violins. Practically a chamber orchestra, with wind, brass, and percussion sections joining the fun to fill out the symphony, and five actors/actresses adding their contributions. The repertoire is Justin Locke's Peter VS. the Wolf, a court case story and free adaptation--with a hilarious twist--on the children's symphonic classic by Prokofiev. I am playing the first violin part, which happens to be my favorite.

Time for a quick snack backstage for lunch and a breath mint. (Oops, did I forget the lipstick . . . ?) It’s time.

The setting is a chilly April afternoon for an Education Concert with the Helena Symphony. Kids are bussed in from schools from multiple counties. The roar from the crowd is mildly disarming. Sponsors have stepped up and paid funds to make this experience possible. Expectations are high. You’re one of the elite. There’s no room for error, and if you do make a silly mistake, you are on alert, thinking that the concertmaster probably notices it from his post a few feet away or the stage manager (also a violinist) or conductor are aware. God too. And there’s no automatic forgiveness for slip-ups. Because they all know you are capable of doing better. At least, you hope so. You hope they remember . . . . You're nervous. They’ve heard you in audition or rehearsal, after all. And they are entrusting you with this. The stakes are high. Nearly 2,000 fourth and fifth graders are in the audience in tiered seating with their eyes glued on individual performers, determining their own future goals in the world of music based on what they see. You might rightly wonder if all this pressure is overwhelming and debilitating. It certainly remains a lurking possibility.

And yet this expectation to do your very best, nigh perfect, feels achievable somehow and can even be a motivating force, almost electric. “We’re counting on you and you can do it, because everything you do matters” is the sense I got from that experience! No time to think about the travel adventures, fatigue, financial fraud, stiff back, wonderful hotel managers, hungry stomach, and sense of wary awe from last night's experience in a dark, depressing, yet creative, sketchy, and eclectic street while all alone in an unfamiliar town 90 miles away from where you are now.

You made it to this moment! Right now, you find yourself grateful to be part of a group where all blended sound is glorious, the precision is impressive, and you suspect some of the players' experience clearly exceeds your own! The section members around you are inspiring. You’re all in this together, and it is a delight to collaborate, if slightly nerve-wracking. What a ride!

You're in complete awe, admiring the talents of the section leaders and the preparation and skill of the guest conductor, realizing they’re the real deal. When you can learn from them in any way, simply from listening and observing everything in their playing and professional treatment of others, you are all the better for it. You feel privileged to be able to rub shoulders with these remarkable people who have sacrificed more hours and focused dedication than one can recount in pursuit of their art.

It is indeed art. Experiencing music and rehearsing with musicians of this caliber truly is like seeing an original masterpiece of art made by a famous painter. Or one who is yet undiscovered, but nonetheless remarkable in talent. Or seeing a quality magic show for the inspiration offered.

The whole inspiring experience is like stumbling on a gemstone in a dimly lit cave. You realize you are fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. And when you pick up the stone, it's not just the stone of opportunity shining. You’re part of this cave. It’s up to you whether you’ll enhance this scene. It is your time to make your efforts count—to do your part to shine with your contribution, as humbly and accurately and beautifully as you can!