A Beautiful Instrument

43: Happy Birthday

After my final, successful solo performance on Sunday, debut weekend is over. Aldridge is over the moon. The series sold out for the following weekend and the board is nipping to know what's next since Aldridge made the decision to add an alternate series. We are meeting the new conductor on Wednesday.

I fill the days with practice and party prep. Friedrich hasn't been back yet, and there's no word on whether he or Bart will be conducting this coming weekend.

Jeremy thinks we're going out for a quiet dinner on Thursday. He's surprised that I convinced Monica to tone things down this year. Little does he know what's really in store for his birthday celebration.

It's Wednesday and we're headed into practice. Jeremy and I are joking around with Manny when I hear a familiar voice on stage that makes me freeze. I alert my compatriots in a hushed whisper. "Friedrich is here."

"We knew he would be back. We are stronger together, remember?" Jeremy repeats our mantra.

"Yes, love. I'm just nervous. I haven't seen him since...for any length of time since I filed my complaint." I stop myself. I forgot to tell Jeremy that he confronted me on Friday night.

We walk onto stage. Friedrich, Derek, and an unfamiliar woman are standing near the conductor's stand.

"Whoa! I think that's Ivy Karrigan." Manny says excitedly.

"Who?" I ask.

"She was a big to-do across the pond." Manny fills us in.

"In England?" I clarify, racking my brain for the reference.

"In Canada! Although she did apprentice as a music director under some of the greats in Europe, too. She's known for being edgy, especially as a woman in this position." He further explains.

"So let's get ready to meet our new, badass boss then." Jeremy suggests, moving us along.

We sit and start tuning until Aldridge calls our attention. "Alright everyone! We have some exciting news! With the tremendous success of this weekend's series and Analeigh's raucous debut, we have decided to run alternating series. The first, a more traditional approach, will be headed by our principal music director, Friedrich Osterbein. The second will be more modern, and headed by our new associate music director, Ivy Karrigan. Ivy's reputation precedes her."

Derek starts to recount Ivy's many accomplishments. I'm impressed. She seems stern, but I would anticipate someone as successful as her would need to be.

Ivy's large, intricate earrings stick out from under her short sleek hair as she nods along with Derek's words. "Thank you for that warm and detailed introduction, Derek. I look forward to working with you all. It is a privilege to be working with this renowned, established orchestra. My only hope is that I can provide the type of hook that you're looking for."

"We are going to run practice today with Ivy conducting so everyone can get a sense of her style. Friedrich will be resuming this weekend. We will post the next series pieces by week's end and hold auditions on Monday." Derek announces. A murmur goes through the crowd.  Auditions are uncommon unless there are solos.

Deb immediately raises her hand and asks. "Can we audition for both?"

"Everyone will be placed in one or the other, but if a musician wanted to play in both that wouldn't be a problem as long as they could stay on top of both." Derek answers. "The auditions are more for Ivy to have a chance to meet you all, one on one."

There are a few more questions before we run the series under Ivy's direction. She's sharp and quick. She catches little stylistic things and encourages more improvisation. It's fun!