On Sunday, February 16th, my dad and I attended the North State Symphony’s “Love or Obsession” with Ming Su and the North State Youth Orchestra, held in the Laxson Auditorium. I was a bit anxious to see so many more people than I had expected and the elegant red velvet carpets and timeless buildings. Once we sat down, the venue went dark and the show started but before it did security asked that we don’t take pictures or videos. Never in my life had I seen a guitar soloist in an orchestra. To my surprise, Ming Su has been playing the guitar for 28 years or so, which you could clearly see in her playing. Though my dad fell asleep, my eyes were constantly moving around the stage for movement. The tickets were only $7 each,for both me and my dad, with my student discount. If it were not for that discountI’m unsure if I would pay 40$+ out of my pocket to see the symphony…often.But I would certainly do it sometimes. The symphony was much more enjoyable than I had thought it would be. I assumed I would be sitting in a cramped, dimly lit theater for three-four hours minimum, listening to the same melody repeat itself over and over again. “Love or Obsession”opened my eyes to how beautiful this type of music is and how alive it truly is. I think everyone should visit the symphony at least once in their lives, whether they enjoy it or not. It was certainly a unique experience that, actually, I think I would like to experience over and over again. I feel as if this is something to be explored, just as with anyother new or exciting thing that may happen in life.
Overall, to summarize my experience, I would rate it quite highly and would go to the symphony again if the tickets were discounted (which they always are for us students!) or maybe with my sister. I highly recommend that everyone, no matter their age, experiences a live orchestra at least once in their lives. It wasn’t exactly sophisticated or high end, but, rather, comfy and entertaining. There were even points in which the maestro and some youth cracked jokes or explained their roles, such as when an English horn player explained to us, the audience, that the English horn is actually French and has a “whimsical but pathetic” sound. Which I admit is pretty accurate. If you’re the type of person who would sit in a quiet movie theater for two straight hours, then you could definitely sit in the auditorium for an hour and a half and enjoy yourself.
