Some of you may know that my uncle is the Director of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. During January-March of 2017 they embarked on an extensive tour of the US for the first time. As I was reviewing their itinerary and trying to figure where the closest concert was going to be, I realized that they will be passing almost straight through Morrisville, NC (10 minutes from us) in the middle of the day. And then the wheels in my brain started moving and I got a brilliant idea! I knew that these musicians get paid per day of work, of course, but they get paid VERY little and still have to pay for their food and personal expenses on the road. So, I suggested they stop by our church building for lunch and I would arrange everything. Of course, they got very excited and I just hoped everything would work out.
We had to mobilize very quickly! We had just three or four days to organize it all. I created a simple Sign Up sheet and invited people from the ward to help out. So many people came together--it was amazing! People who don't know these musicians and were just willing to serve signed up to bring lasagnas, salads, fruit, dessert, etc.
On the day of the luncheon, I was quite nervous. Some of my friends and I showed up to the church building early to set up tables and tablecloths. I tried to keep up with the Ukrainian theme with yellow and blue colors plus my Ukrainian runners in the middle. People brought in A LOT of food, so I stopped worrying that we would run out. I even had a vegetarian lasagna for the few vegetarians in the orchestra.
When the orchestra arrived, I, of course, was so excited to see my uncle and my aunt. Oh yes! My aunt is the first violin in the orchestra so at least they get to tour together to all the places in the world. I could feel some were a bit unsure about the place and the luncheon:)) Others were chatty and friendly right away. I could tell they were hungry and surprised to see that so much food was prepared for them. What was amazing is that they all calmly stood in a queue waiting to get their food and then sat and ate VERY quietly the whole time. That was something very different:)
I walked around the tables, together with some of my friends, talking to people and hoping to make them feel more comfortable. I believe this was the first place where they were offered a lunch on their three week tour so far. They all were so incredibly grateful! They ate EVERYTHING they had put on their plates. And I told them they should take any leftover rolls for the drive.
They were so impressed with our hospitality, impressed with my kind friends in the church who were willing to quickly get organized and provide this lunch. They said it was a breath of fresh air to break up their long drives and that I gave them a feeling of home even if it's just for one lunch hour.
That's me in the middle in a Ukrainian shirt next to my uncle.
I convinced them to take all the water bottles we had leftover so they had it for the bus ride. And here is one of my good helper-friends, Wendy, to the left of me. To the right of me is one of the members of the orchestra and one of my uncle's best friends, Orest, who is like family to them.
After lunch, I took my uncle and my aunt to our house. We picked up the kids from school early and Robert came home after work so we could spend some time with them. It was fun! We got ready for the next part of their visit--a drive to Danville, VA where their concert was going to be held that evening. It was an hour and a half drive through countrysides of North Carolina and Southern Virginia, and it was fun to tell my Ukrainian family more about America and people and how we live here. They had visited the US a few times before (my uncle) and have travelled to numerous countries in the world, but it's always great to hear some explanations from the natives (aka Robert).
We were able to arrive to Danville in time to see the orchestra rehearse. And then the oldest member of the orchestra, the harpist, showed our kids how to play the harp. They were fascinated:)
The concert itself was held at a High School. A High School??? That is the best they could do for an orchestra of such high level? It was a bit strange. But that is what the organizers of the tours decided. They were also the ones deciding on the towns that the orchestra would perform in. I am sure the price of renting out concert halls had a lot to do with where they performed. Some were big cities (like Charlotte) and others were small towns like Greenville, NC.
Well, nothing could ruin this orchestra's performance! Their talents, their expression and soul were incredible to witness. I am used to classical music concerts as my mom took me to so many when I was young (plus it helped our family members are in an orchestra) but it's been awhile, so it was mesmerizing at times to sit their and listen to the beautiful music. Even the kids! They didn't complain or ask questions--just listened the whole time!
Very quickly after the concert was finished, the orchestra packed up their instruments and loaded onto the bus. They knew the drill--the sooner they get packed up, the sooner they can get to their hotel and rest. This life of a touring musician is intense...sleep on the bus, eat on the bus, stretch your legs, play the concert and get back on the bus.
We were so happy that we made this whole meeting happen! And so happy and grateful that we could pull off that luncheon at the last minute. Hopefully, next time they will come and perform in Raleigh!
Lyana.
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