Concert is DONE!

Today was the performance that I've been working toward.  Thank goodness I only had one piece to do, and my part wasn't that hugely heard.  The recital started at 3pm, but I was there at 1:30 to rehearse.  Finally met the fourth pianist (and met him directly for the first time), and rehearsal was so-so.  Then, I couched out in the adjunct faculty office with my Nintendo DS.  HA!  One of the other faculty members saw me, shook his head, and said "I forget sometimes that you're a part of that generation."  It made me laugh.  Found my FIL and MIL at about 2:40 wandering around outside and talked to them, and then went to pop in to the first portion of the recital.  The volunteer at the door asked me for my ticket.  "I'm performing on this recital, I just want to sit inside for the first portion."  She said she didn't think that would work, would I please go get a ticket at the ticket office?  I was a little floored - I'm playing in the recital, and my freaking picture is in the program, and you still won't let me in without a ticket?!??  Are you KIDDING me lady????????.  Pissed off, I went to the ticket window and asked the lady there if I needed a ticket since I was playing.  She looked at me like I was an idiot and said "of course not!"  That's what I thought.  So, back to the volunteer.

Me:  Hi.  I don't need a ticket.
Her:  Oh, she said that?
Me:  Of course she did, I'm playing on this recital!
Her:  Wait, you're playing on this recital?!??
Me:  That's what I told you!!!!
Her:  Well, of course you can go in, I thought you were a student trying to get in for free.
Me:  Next time, please listen to what someone says when they explain why they don't have a ticket.  It might be someone performing, like me.
Her:  ...what?
Me:  *facepalm*

Luckily, she let me in.  I sat with my FIL and MIL through the first piece (a Mozart sonata for four hands) that ran 25 minutes.  Ugh.  I exited as soon as it was over since I was expecting my husband and girls to show up about then.  It's a good thing I did too, as he was going to bring the girls in at that time.  Instead, we went outside and let the girls run around for awhile to burn off energy (and wait for a more appropriate time to enter with them).  Husband didn't end up going in with the girls until the next to last piece (I played the last one), and then it was our turn to play.  Four pianists, three of whom are used to being the star soloist of the show, trying to play a piece meant for coordination amongst all the players?  LOUD and just...off.  At least the audience didn't notice.  Everyone else was trying to be louder than the other (instead of blending!), our tempo was all over the place, and it got so quick at the end that I ended up playing with just my left hand to keep my main portion going.  Eek!  The audience, however, seemed to love the concert and not notice any problems.  Yay!  Pictures afterwards, collect family, thank people for coming (including the girls' pediatrician, who takes lessons from one of the other faculty members!), and off to home we went.

I think the cutest thing I was told about the concert was when I came out with everyone else to play the last piece.  E was sitting on Daddy's lap and apparently started chanting "Mama!  Mama!  Mama!" when she saw me, and continued to do so while I was playing.  Daddy had to hand E off to Grandpa so he could find a pacifier to stick in her mouth, and even then she only sucked on it for a bit, pulled it out, and started saying "Mama!  Mama!  Mama!" all over again.  Such a cute thing - I wish I had heard her!

Here we all are, after the concert (and doing various things)! (3-25-2012)