In the moments before we take the stage, there is a special sense of anticipation of the music to come, one that is difficult to put into words. The ritual has begun, each of us going inward, focusing, hours, weeks, months, years…a lifetime of preparation for this performance, for every performance. The lights dim, the audience quiets, and we walk out to the din of applause to take our bow. The hall rings with the ghosts of concerts past as we begin, adding our own notes to swirl and dance with them.
The View from Here 