perk/ins

My new position means I now have "status." And status means perks. The latest perks were two tickets to the concert no one can get tickets to and a free expensive meal.

The "no ones" who can't get the tickets are mainly people in this town. And the concert is a classical Christmas one, but still. They're perpetually sold out for a reason. And we were lucky as heck the whole way through.

We showed up at the dinner late and missed the speaker. Yay! Finishing dinner late, we then were facing a long walk over to the concert -- except that we accidentally found the shuttle over. And then the line to get to our seats was the shortest. And they were THE BEST seats, seventh row floor center. (My sister said they were the best seats she's ever had to anything.) On the way out of the concert we caught a shuttle back to where we parked, and because we were the only car coming out of a small lot the cars in the long line took strange pity on us and we missed all the traffic!

And then the concert was worth any trouble we could have faced, anyhow.

There are several full choirs and an orchestra. Once again I found myself with a bizarre appreciation for the brass. There's something special about watching how an instrumental ensemble works together -- whole is greater than the sum of its parts and all that. Dozens of pairs of eyes all focused on one conductor to direct their lives and make harmony from the chaos. Everyone following the rules. Everyone with a common goal. Everyone cooperating.

One piece was called "Christus Paradox."
You, the everlasting instant
You, whom we both scorn and crave

Another was "Arise, Shine."
What joy to know, when life is past
The Lord we love is first and last

Then there were some classics written by a former resident of this town. They ended as usual with a piece that the NWC choir also ends with, except in the spring. I could tell I was home, though, when I heard it here -- I always think Dr. Holm sets it too fast. But of course I would think that -- I first heard it here, slow. And in my mind other choirs sing that song at all because they sing it here. But that's just the vanity talking. :)

There were lots of other songs, too, of course, including one Danish carol that the audience was supposed to sing along on, only there wasn't any tune written out. Yet about half the audience seemed to know it as well as "Jingle Bells." Megan and I decided we have to brush up on our Danish before we go again.